A positive state of mind creates a joyful positive day, and the best time to generate positivity is first thing in the morning. How we choose to greet the new day will affect how the hours that follow play out.

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

Committing daily to just 15-20 mindful minutes to devote to your morning ritual will not only bring you more joy but you will ease into your day with purpose, intention, energy and focus.

Here are 16 morning rituals that will stimulate your mind, body and soul, allowing you to start your day energised and inspired.

Greet the morning with a few mindful breaths. Before you jump out of bed first thing in the morning take 30 seconds to close your eyes and practice several rounds of deep mindful breathing. Breathing deeply in through the nose, feel the breath travel deep down into the belly, slowly exhaling out through the nose or mouth. Deep belly breathing oxygenates the blood, nourishes the cells, energises the body and calms stress/anxiety. As you breathe take a moment to quieten the mind and fall into a space of quietude and stillness. Gently give yourself some space to focus on a few things you are grateful for - your health, home, family, friends, and for life itself. Allow gratitude for the new day to rise within. New day's bring with them new opportunities, experiences, discoveries and ways of doing things. New days are a fresh start and a chance to do things better. New days are exciting.

Hydrate with water. If you’re anything like me, you have trouble remembering to squeeze in those eight daily glasses of water. Begin your morning by drinking a big glass of water straight-up, it will not only  energise your mind and body, it will flood your cells with hydration and plump out your skin and flush away impurities.

Light a candle and turn on some uplifting music. Sometimes even the simplest change can alter a room’s energy and your mind-frame. Take the time to light a candle when you get up and play some music that uplifts you. If you have time maybe even do a quick meditation. Build yourself a morning playlist of either music or meditations so that you can roll out of bed to the sound of good vibes. 

Lemon water. Cut up one or two slices of fresh lemon and place it in a mug of hot water, sometimes I like to also add a dash of apple cider vinegar. Lemon water aids in digestion and provides a plethora of vitamins and nutrients. Plus it wakes up your mind and body. 

Move your body. Warm up and wake up your mind and body by getting those endorphins pumping with a little movement! Doing exercises that elevate your heart rate encourages better brain performance and increased mood. You’ll be amazed at how just 20 minutes of moving your body first thing in the morning  can alter your entire day’s outlook.

Meditate. Start the day off right with a 15-20 minute meditation to get you in a positive and resilient frame of mind for the day ahead. I have a resource hub of  free guided meditations here or alternatively try my morning meditation.

Journalling and Intention setting. Set the right tone for your day by getting clear on what kind of day you want to experience. What do you want to attract into your day? What kind of person do you want to be for the day?

Ask yourself, what do I want out of this day? Maybe it’s to be more friendly to strangers, to do something kind for another or to dedicate some time to nurturing yourself with self-care. It is best to write down your intentions for the day. This is also a good time to take a couple of minutes to journal. There are no rules to journalling you can write down the things you are grateful for, your favourite quote, goals and things you want to achieve or you can simply write down whatever is on your mind.

Journalling and intention setting encourages self-reflection. Even on bad days, taking time to write allows us to vent and gain some perspective regarding our current situation. If you’re feeling creative, journaling can help the sparks flow and rejuvenate the imagination, leading to a more productive and inspiring day.

Live in the season and notice life's cycles. Nothing awakens the mind, body and soul more than living aligned with the current season whilst appreciating the wonders and miracles of the circle of life. Eat local and seasonal foods, listen to what the body craves and take some time to nurture and witness life. One of my favourite ways to connect with the season is to garden, even if it means adding one herb plant or succulent to your windowsill. Take the mornings to give your little plant some water and notice the steady growth of the plant, or how it tends to thrive in certain lights or seasons. This gentle routine not only provides short-term peace, but can help teach valuable lessons regarding change and personal growth.

Green smoothie. Make your body sing and start your morning with a nutrition-dense smoothie. Popular ingredients include kale, spinach, apples, mango, chia and hemp seeds, pineapple juice, coconut water, and parsley, but feel free to get creative and mix and match your favourite foods to create a delicious morning treat.

Body Brush. Get your circulation pumping and help flush out impurities with a quick daily face and body brush. Always begin at the ankles in upwards movements towards the heart - the lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it's important that you brush in the same direction. As you are brushing your body take some time to appreciate everything good about your body - use this time to direct self-love and appreciation to the body. You can read more about face and body brushing here >>>. We also sell vegan sustainable body brushes here >>>

Body Scrub. Invite your skin to glow and your energy to soar with a natural scrub that will exfoliate and renew your skin. Our natural face and body sugar scrub is blended with nourishing coconut oil from the Pacific Islands and is scented with peppermint to awaken and refresh the senses. View our scrub that is hand-made in the Snowy Mountains Australia here >>>

Invigorating Shower. Nothing wakes up the mind, body and spirit first thing in the morning than cold therapy. When you jump in the shower turn the water on cold for the first 60 seconds this will not only energise you, but it will also strengthen your immune system, clear your head and keep you on a natural high for the entire day.

Then turn on the the hot water and savour the therapeutic heat. A hot shower using our awakening native peppermint body wash is a delicious and energising way to begin your morning. The hot water eases sore muscles, and the peppermint will awaken and energise whilst also helping to clear your head.

Something I like to do whilst in the shower is take a few deep mindful breaths, and as the water pours on me and hits my skin I take a moment to think about everything that I am grateful for in my life, I wash myself with gratitude and abundance. I then switch my focus to the water draining down the drain and actively take a few mindful moments to release negativity and things that no longer serve me, allowing them to be washed away for the day ahead.

Dry off with a towel, preferably in an open area with direct natural light. This is called air bathing! 

Feeling clean and refreshed after a hot awakening shower can lead to confidence, and the actual act of washing, scrubbing, and exfoliating creates an intimate and mindful experience.

Uplift with Aromatherapy. Essential oils have the power to invoke a certain mood or feeling. Peppermint is great for awakening whilst lavender is great for calming. Start your day energised with our Awaken Aromatherapy Spray. With loving intention spray from the crown of your head and gently move down towards your heart - slowly breathe in, relax and feel your body and mind wake up. 

If you have a big day of work or study then our Focus Aromatherapy Spray will keep your mind alert and clear focused.

Make your bed. Making the bed is a mindful routine that helps enhance a room’s overall aesthetic, making it feel more inviting upon your return. It also takes little to no time—and this simple act of making your bed has the power to make you feel in control and more at ease . 

Envision success. Does your day involve some challenges, difficult conversations or perhaps some activities that you’re not exactly looking forward to? Envision yourself triumphing over these obstacles and challenges, and doing so with a clear and happy head. Treating your day with a “can-do” attitude will help to set you up for success. 

Step out into the world with a light and breezy attitude. Drop pettiness and rise above the small minded way of thinking. Don't get bogged down in all the details and imperfections. Release resentment and the need to be "right or validated". With grace, let go of all that is not meant for you. Instead open your heart and mind. Trust the process. Release attachment to things, outcomes and people. Welcome all that unfolds into your day with a sense of lightness and ease. When things get tough, remind yourself that everything that is meant for you - it will come to you, for everything that is meant for you it will never pass you by. Most importantly, spend as many hours of your day leaning into all the things that bring you joy.