7 Morning Routines to Jumpstart your Day

The more time we have in the morning, the more time we have to create a productive routine, to get a head start on our to-do list and to begin on an energetic note.Lose the snooze!The dreaded snooze button tests us every day. We think we’ll be up in another five minutes, but it soon turns into 30 or 60 minutes and then it’s a rush. Till we get the option of disabling it, be determined and not give in to that urge of snoozing.Remind yourself: I’m alive!Life is ephemeral. Every morning, there are over a million people who don’t wake up. But you are up and so are your loved ones. Isn’t that reason enough to smile and embrace the day? Make yourself aware of this fabulous fact, smile to yourself and get going.Soak up the sunEverything in nature, be it plants or animals—are up and about with the rising sun: the flowers bloom, the animals move, and the leaves unfurl. Sunlight promotes wakefulness, energises us and evaporates the blues. Open the curtains and soak in the sun. It works better than caffeine!Groove to your favourite tunesAs you go about the morning routines, play something—listen to your favourite artist, a mantra, chanting, instrumental—whatever makes you feel good and relaxes you. There’s nothing like music to invigorate the mind and set the pace for the day.Fit in a quick workoutEven if you can’t fit in a full routine, at least make time for a quick workout - spot jogging, or a walk in the neighbourhood, surya namaskar, riding an exer-cycle, stretching… anything that will wake up your muscles after relaxing through the night.Wash away the ZzzsWe cringe at the thought of a cold shower but there’s nothing like a cold shower to buzz our mind and body into action. It also washes away the blues if any. If you can’t bear the cold temperature, keep it as cool as possible. Make sure to pour some on the nape of your neck.Pray, do japa, meditateOne or all three—prayer, japa and meditation help to align the body and mind. They help to quieten the mind and strengthen our connection with the Higher, with Bhagwan. Spare at least ten minutes for these before jumping into the ever-rough ocean of life