Ah, inspiration—the thing we’re all constantly chasing! This month, we’re focusing on the idea of being an inspiration to your clients, team and other event pros. And, as it turns out, oftentimes our ability to inspire starts with the choices we make the moment we get out of bed. To help you on your quest to inspire, then, we’ve rounded up some morning rituals that will work to invigorate, enlighten and inspire you—all so that you can do the same for others.
Stretch
We happen to think the number-one way to get your day off on the right foot is to take 5-10 minutes to stretch as soon as you get out of bed. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy—do a few forward-folds, a few chest-openers and maybe, if you’re feeling extra saucy, a couple of crunches. The goal of stretching is to work out kinks and let in energy—both of which are necessary items for anyone hoping to spend their day inspiring.
Green Tea Followed by a Fast-Paced Walk
We’re huge believers in the power of coffee (and wine, for the record)—but research shows that a cup of green tea provides a healthier caffeine boost than coffee. Drinking a cup of green tea 30 minutes prior to taking a 10-30-minute face-paced outdoor walk is a great way to jumpstart your metabolism first thing in the morning and get those brain waves flowing for a productive (and inspiring) day.
Check Out Before Checking In
A recent study shows that, on average, humans interact with their smartphones over 2,600 times a day—think about that for a second! We spend so much of our days with our heads buried in a screen, swiping and clicking and refreshing and sending—which is why we recommend taking at least 30 phone-free minutes for yourself every morning. Resist the urge to check your emails or news feed before you get out of bed and, instead, force yourself to leave your phone right where it is, charging on the nightstand, for at least the first 30 minutes of your day as you go about your morning rituals, sans-smartphone.
Start Slow
There’s a reason the saying “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” is so popular—there’s truth to it. The way you rise tends to set the stage for the rest of your day, which is why rushing in the morning only sets the stage for a day full of stress and constant running around. There’s something to be said for mornings that get off to a slow, thoughtful start—as they often set us up for much more manageable day. Challenge yourself to spend the first hour of your day slowly (even if this means setting the alarm a little earlier to get rid of that need to rush). This means being mindful about the littlest things—take time pouring your coffee, put thought into slicing those strawberries. As silly as it sounds, when we take the time to slow down the tedious tasks that we normally rush through, we’re sending a powerful message to our bodies and minds—one that says we’re willing to put care and thought into all that we do, and one that says we aren’t up for a day full of rushing around.
Overall, starting your day on an inspiring foot goes hand-in-hand with starting your day on a healthy and thoughtful one. When we take the time to take care of ourselves and clear our crazy-full minds, we create space in our lives to inspire those around us.
Hero photo courtesy Jen Wojcik Photography
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