Destress With a New Autumn Morning Routine

As the season transitions from summer to fall, there is often an urgency to slow down and relax. It is not about becoming lazy or less productive but instead becoming more intentional as we focus on our own needs. By slightly altering our daily routine we can become calmer and more balanced. We will still attend to our responsibilities, but we can incorporate the coziness of the season and all the calmness this brings into our lives.

One of the simplest transformations during the fall season is a new morning routine. It doesn't have to be anything complicated or extravagant, and actually, it shouldn't be. Your fall morning routine is more about slowing down, waking up in a calm state, getting cozy, and just enjoying your mornings as you wake up and get ready for your day.

I have five tips that will transform your morning and bring in the coziness of autumn.

1. Start Your Day Slowly and Calmly
If you are not doing so already, focus on starting your day as calmly and stress-free as possible. This means something different for everyone, but typically, you want to avoid your phone and other distractions that might trigger your emotions or put you in a bad state of mind instantly. We do this by utilizing airplane mode, listening to calming music, and not turning on the news. 

• Utilize Airplane Mode: To start with, make a habit of putting your phone on airplane mode at night, or turning it off completely if you don't use it for an alarm. At the very least, turn off notifications related to social media, and don't check your phone in the morning when you first get up. Even if it seems innocent, getting a text or a notification from one of your social media apps can be troublesome in the morning. One simple, seemingly innocent message or post could weigh heavy on your mind, and you might carry that around with you for the rest of the day. 
• Listen to Calming Music in the Morning: Build this good habit of listening to soft, calming music, instead of popular music, or watching Netflix early in the morning. If you would like to explore instrumental, reiki-infused music I have a selection here. (((((INSERT LINK))))) Listen to music and give yourself time to wake up before beginning your day. 
• Relax: Don't rush. We all know what it feels like to wake up and feel like you're already late or running behind schedule. Set up your day in a way you can remain relaxed at least during the first 30 minutes before checking your messages or starting your day. 

2. Get Some Sunlight
In the fall, the weather has probably cooled off quite a bit and you aren't spending as much time outside. Make it a priority and witness the wonderful things that happen to your mind and body when you can get fresh air and sunlight first thing in the morning.
If you wake up after sunrise, try to find ways to get sunlight in your home, or better yet, head outside. Here are some super simple ideas that can become a quick part of your fall morning routine:
Open your windows: The simplest thing you can do is make a habit of opening your windows in the morning. Open your curtains or blinds to let light in, and if you can, open your windows as well. This not only gets you more natural sunlight in your home but some fresh air as well.
Sit outside on your patio or balcony: If you have a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, read a book, or write in a journal, all of these morning habits can be done outside. Bring your tea and a good book to sit on your patio, balcony, or backyard for a few minutes every morning. Enjoy the fresh air and sun as it comes up. Make it extra cozy with a comfy blanket and don't forget your socks or slippers if it is cold.
Go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood: You can also combine getting fresh air and sunlight with gentle movement by going for a stroll around the block. Remember, this doesn't have to be an intense cardio workout; just go for an easy stroll around the block to stretch your muscles, get your blood pumping, and enjoy nature.

3. Focus on Quiet and Relaxing Morning Habits

Remember that your morning routine should not be complicated or take hours to get through. If you have so many habits in your routine that you can't even remember what you have to do, then you are overcomplicating your morning. For a routine to work, it needs to be simple and enjoyable. 

Here are some ideas:

• Write in your journal - Take a few extra minutes in the morning to write in a journal. The best thing about journaling is that there are no rules. It can be any style of writing you want, whether you do a brain dump every morning or use journal prompts.
• Read a chapter or a few pages from your book - If you have a book you have been reading, your fall morning routine is the perfect time to read. You can set a timer for a few minutes, read a chapter every morning, or just read until you feel ready to move on.
• Do a quick meditation or breathing exercise: You can also do a quick meditation in the morning, you can sit in silence or use a guided meditation, or simply do a 5-minute breathing exercise. This is a wonderful way to wake up gently, without getting too stressed or anxious first thing in the morning. 

4. Add Gentle Movement

To continue the rest of your morning routine, try to add some gentle movement. Of course, if you decide to go outside for a walk or do yoga on your backyard patio, you can combine this step with getting sunlight and fresh air in the morning.

However, if it is a cold and rainy morning, or you aren't quite ready to go for a stroll in your neighborhood, here are some other ideas for gentle movement:

• Stretching routine: If you don't have the time or energy for a full-blown workout in the morning, why not just do a short stretching routine? This gets your body moving in the morning and will give you more energy.
• Yoga or Pilates: You can also do a yoga or Pilates workout either from home or at a nearby studio. These are both great forms of gentle movement that also happen to be amazing workouts for the early morning.
• Low-impact workouts: If you want some cardio and light strength training in the morning, consider a low-impact workout. This isn't quite as intense as your high-impact interval training (HIIT), but you still get some amazing exercise for your body and will release endorphins that boost your mood and energy levels.

5. Hydrate and Eat a Nourishing Breakfast

To feel good you must fuel your body properly in the morning. Not only with a healthy breakfast (if you like to eat in the morning), but with plenty of hydration.

Before you have that morning cup of coffee or tea, have a full glass of water. It is easy to go straight for the caffeine, but you haven't had water all night long while sleeping, and you are likely waking up very dehydrated. Starting with a glass of water ensures you get proper hydration. 
It is also easy to not drink as much water in the fall when the weather gets colder because you don't think you need it. But your body needs hydration no matter what the weather conditions are. 

Enjoy a Nourishing Breakfast With Fall Produce
If you like to have breakfast in the morning, whether it is an omelet or a smoothie, consider adding some fall produce. It will be more budget-friendly and it can help you get lots of vitamins and minerals as you start your day.

Some excellent fruits and vegetables that are in-season during the fall include:
* Apples
* Dates
* Figs
* Cranberries
* Pumpkin
* Squash
* Bell Peppers
* Pears
* Persimmons
* Broccoli
* Eggplant

Remember that your fall morning routine can and should be customized to your own needs and what habits you are trying to implement into your life. Choose morning habits that allow you to wake up gradually, start becoming more alert, and be ready to take on the day.

If at any point, your morning routine becomes stressful, then it is time for some adjustments. Your morning routine should leave you feeling calm and restored.