05. The Importance of How You Start Your Day

When you wake up what do you do first? Do you press the snooze button one more time and then again and again? Do you reach for your phone and scroll through social media feeds? Do do you start thinking about all the things you want to do and get lost in a day-dream? Or perhaps you spring out of bed before the alarm has even sounded? Each and every action, word and thought can be seen as having a certain momentum and effect and, because of this your first moments upon wakening are particularly important. How positive is your morning ritual? Is your morning ritual supporting your current purpose and the person you want to grow into in ten, twenty, fifty years from now?

Creating a simple, peaceful and joyful morning ritual is one of the best ways to keep your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health in fine form. So it’s time to self-assess and take note of the habits which aren’t supporting you to shine your brightest.

Dig a little deeper, clarify what it would look like to self-care, nurture and energize yourself. This is unique to everyone. Would it be waking up a little earlier so you can meditate, stretch, practice qigong, dao yin, yoga or go for a run? Movement is such a powerful healer and we can’t express enough the importance of starting your day with it... in whatever shape, style or form that resonates with you. It will kick start your circulation, oxygenate your body, circulate your cerebrospinal fluid, boost mental clarity and alertness, release stuck tensions in the joints and benefit your energy and mood for the entire day.

A peaceful mind and happy heart are equally important to cultivate. So, suggestion number one is to keep your phone switched off or on airplane mode until you have given yourself the time and space you need to self-care and cultivate some peace and clarity. Ask yourself again, what would that look like for me? Perhaps it would mean sitting in meditation for 5mins/30mins/1 hour or writing in your journal about your intentions for the day with a delicious health tonic. What is it you want to bring to the world today? How do you want to walk through your day?

Next is the ritual of breakfast. What foods are you choosing? Are you eating on the run or have you taken the time to sit with a loved one (perhaps that’s yourself) to connect? Time is an illusion. Though you may gain a few moments by eating a quick processed snack before rushing out the door, if this becomes a habit what do you lose over a lifetime? And vice versa what do you gain by enjoying a beautiful breakfast with the ones you love? It may just take a little conscious planning and awareness.

What are the first things you put in your mouth? If you start the day with processed carbs, sugar and coffee then you are most likely going to continue craving those things all day long. Coffee kicks your adrenaline glands into action which releases adrenaline and cortisol taking your body out of the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) and into the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). Read more on the nervous system in our article “Nourishment” HERE). However, when you start your day with healthy fluids and organic whole foods, which sustain you for longer, your hormones are going to thank you for the sense of calm and balance you are bringing them. If you’re someone who loves and cherishes their morning coffee and cannot imagine life without it perhaps think about how it can be a more balanced, supportive and healthful part of your morning. For example, after your herbal tea and wholesome breakfast rather than on an empty stomach.

Chinese Medicine also places great importance on the first meal of the day. This is captured nicely in the following proverb “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper” (早餐要吃的像国王、午餐吃的像王子、晚餐吃的像乞丐 – zaocan chi de xiang guowang, wucan chi de xiang wangzi, wancan chi de xiang qigai). As a general rule of thumb they also encourage eating to no more than 80% of your stomachs capacity. So, when eating like a King next breakfast, be sure to eat like a wise, well measured King.

Chinese medicine (Daoist medicine in particular) has also developed an interesting understanding of the different phases of the day. This can be seen clearly in the meridian clock pictured below.

Here is an example of how one could apply this. When the sun rises, the yang (masculine) energy rises. This is considered the best time to get up early and begin the day with some physical activity. As you can see between the hours 7am and 9am the stomach is in its element, hence a wonderful time to enjoy breakfast. The small intestine is at its finest between 1pm and 3pm … ready to absorb nutrients after a midday meal. As the evening approaches, the yin (feminine) energy rises which lends itself to a slower pace and slower digestion. This is why it is beneficial to have a lighter evening meal so that during sleep your body is spending the majority of its energy on recovery and rest. It’s also worth noting that Yogis, Buddhist monks and Daoist priests all abstain from large evening meals for the health and spiritual benefits.

The beauty of creating a Morning Ritual really does benefit all aspects of your life - health, work, relationships with others and most importantly your relationship with yourself. It is something you want to cultivate and refine over time. Start small, be creative and have fun along the journey! Remember it is a gift … for YOU.

Here’s a short check list of things you may wish to consider when creating your own morning ritual:

- Keep your phone off or on silent until you have taken the time to self-care and do your morning ritual.

- MOVE! In whatever way that makes your heart sing and your body feel wonderful.

- Create a space for silence, stillness and intention. Meditation and keeping a journal are great tools to consider.

- Nourish yourself by making healthy breakfast choices which energize and uplift your spirit. Plenty of healing

fluids and whole foods.

- Step out into the day with a spring in your step! Nurtured, energized, nourished & ready to enJOY your day.

- Cultivate awareness. Having a clearer understanding of the momentum and effect of your actions, words and

thoughts will help you make better decisions.

- Lastly, remember to keep that inner smile glowing and being patient and kind with yourself and others.

With warmth & gratitude,

Dawa & No Mi.