Guest Blog by Katarina Tavčar from Melon & Lime 

I’m not a morning person. I’ve (semi) tried being one and failed miserably. Maybe I just didn’t stick with it long enough and maybe I’ll try again in a while, but right now, that’s a fact: not a morning person. I like my days to start slow.

Disclaimer: I don’t have to wake up earlier than 7 am. I mean, sure, I’d have more time to sort out everything I need to sort out in a day, which would be great, but I work remotely and (mostly) on my own schedule, which means I have the time to do what I need to do in order to start the day the right way.

And what does that entail? There are four major bits in this equation:

1. I don’t touch my phone.

According to Ayurveda, my predominant dosha is Vata, which means that I could really benefit from a schedule. On the other hand, I love the fact that I can be as schedule-less as I wish, which grants me the luxury of waking up whenever I want. So the main thing I do in the morning is that I don’t wake up to my phone’s alarm. Why? Because I don’t want the first thing I see when I wake up to be my damn phone, I already stare at it too much as it is. I want the first thing I see to be my partner, my dog, the sun shining. Try using a regular alarm clock. You know, that old-school thing that people can’t call and message you on? Yeah, that’s the one. ;)

2. I hydrate.

After I do the usual - get dressed, brush my teeth, wash my face - I make myself warm lemon water. Drinking warm lemon water on an empty stomach is an Ayurvedic practice that helps to clear the digestive tract of toxins that have built up overnight and to stimulate digestion. It also helps boost the immune system and gives an energy boost, which, if you’re a morning grumpy cat like me, is a must. I’ve been drinking this for the last few years and I can’t really remember when was the last time I had a proper cold. It’s really a win-win situation, just make sure you dilute your lemon juice with enough water to keep your teeth healthy.

3. I sit still.

As much as it would be ideal to meditate each day for at least 10 to 20 minutes, some days all I get are a few minutes of peace and stillness before the day kicks in. If you’re not into meditation (although, based on every possible research, it would be amazing if we all meditated), you don’t have to call it that way. You can just sit still, close your eyes and start observing your breath and your body. See what feelings arise but try not to drift away with your thoughts. Use these moments to set the tone for the day.

4. I get moving.

I don’t go straight from no. 3 to no. 4, usually. I take around half an hour in between to open my emails and estimate how much work approximately I have to do that day. It helps me to get an idea of how much time I’ll be spending in front of my computer that day. To be completely honest, I should get in the habit of skipping that and going straight to no. 4, which is a walk with our dog. You can replace this with yoga or any other activity but I find it going out into nature is best (plus, you know, my dog needs to pee and it would be highly inconvenient if that happened in the apartment).

Whatever you do, do it mindfully, with presence and maybe, for a change, don’t put your earphones in if you go out for a walk/run but rather chat with that lady that you keep seeing. I feel like a connection is one of the things that our society is really missing. Why not make someone’s day better with a simple hello or a smile? I guarantee you, you’ll both feel way better and if that’s not a good start of the day, I don’t know what is.

Our mornings set the tone for the day and I guess the important question is: what kind of tone do we want for our day? One of calm and focus or one of business and running out of time? I know the kind of day(s) I want to have ... days of connection and presence, no matter what I’m doing.

 

Read more about how to relax on our blog How to have SPA at home   or visit our website.