“I am not a morning person” is something I used to tell myself every day to convince my conscious that feeling gloomy and tired as I go to pick up my big, very unhealthy coffee is completely normal. Life is crazy. Between college and work, we are somehow expected to stay healthy, make time for friends and family, get good grades, meet deadlines, maintain a clean and organized living space and all while staying positive? We’re trapped in this monotonous lifestyle and are losing a sense of who we are and where we stand in the world.
I was so lost in the routine of my mundane life that I forgot to take the time to BREATHE. This resulted in an increase in my already bad anxiety and more frequent panic attacks. It was during my final exams last year that I had the most horrible panic attack. It felt like the world was closing in around me and I was plummeting into a never ending hole. It was this experience that made me realize that I would have to change my life style. I started reading articles and talking to a bunch of people. I lit an Ekam scented candle and started thinking about it. I came to the conclusion that the sole reason to all of my problems was the way I started my day. If you start your day right you can live a decluttered and mindful life while also making time for happy hour and brunch with the girls on Sunday. I adopted these ten rituals into my daily routine and I kid you not they changed my life. I started following them religiously and slowly my life was turned upside down. I was not only more stress-free but also less anxious and most importantly happy. Here are the ten rituals that changed my life:
1. GO TO BED AT AN “ACCEPTABLE” HOUR:To be able to be fresh and active during the day you need sleep. Studies show that an average adult requires between 6-8 hours of sleep. However most adults between the age of 18-35 get only about 5 hours of sleep every night. Try finishing dinner earlier and keep all your screens away at least half an hour before you sleep. Drink some warm green tea and cover yourself with a thick comforter. I like having some Ekam lavender scented Reed diffusers on my nightstand so my room always has that light lavender scent giving it that cozy feeling. Lavender works as an anxiolytic (an anxiety reliever) and as a sedative, to increase relaxation, calmness, and help bring about sleep. The Ekam Reed diffusers are very safe as you don't have to light it and worry about blowing it out before you sleep. It continues to give out the calming smell of lavender all night long.
2. WAKE UP EARLY(ish):
“Morning people run the world” contrary to what I used to tell myself every morning. Changing the way you speak to yourself brings about so much change. I changed my initial negative sentence to a positive one and it brought about such a drastic change. Pushing yourself to wake up early not only increases your proactiveness, productivity, and positivity but also the extra time in the morning will give you the opportunity to set some goals for the day. Easier said than done though. You don't have to start waking up at 4 am. Start slow by waking up 15 minutes earlier than you normally would and then cut back another 15 minutes in a few days when you are used to it. Heat up some lemon oil in an Ekam oil warmer. Citrus smells tend to boost energy and alertness. Giving you that extra push you need to get out of bed.
3. DO NOT. I REPEAT DO NOT CHECK YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FIRST THING IN THE MORNING
The morning is the prime time for important thoughts, because it's the start of a fresh day. Your brain is said to be the most active first thing in the morning. Social media can really check you out of what’s happening around you and you could get caught up in that endless web of scrolling wasting the most productive part of your day causing a major mental block that could hinder you from reaching your full mental potential for the rest of the day
4. DRINK WARM WATER AND LEMON
Drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning helps in maintaining the pH balance of the body. It acts as a detoxifying agent and helps with maintaining digestive health. It is also proven to aid weight loss. Most importantly it's a source of vitamin C which gives you that extra kick to help you get going in the morning.
5. 10 MINUTES OF YOGA AND STRETCHING
I don't find the time to do this every day but I try to fit it in at least 3 times a week. I find my Ekam scented candle jar in the flavour lemongrass and light it. It transports me to a lush green forest taking me away from the busy day ahead of me. This is my quiet time where I practice mindfulness and try to get my stretches in to prepare me for a day of moving around hustling.
6. NEVER SKIP BREAKFAST
No matter how late I'm running I never skip breakfast. Whether it be a quick green smoothie or an elaborate breakfast I always eat before I leave my house. I am more energized and stay full for longer. All in all, it's just so crucial to eat a good breakfast in the morning. Eating some delicious food in the morning also motivates me to wake up earlier. If I have the time I like to light an Ekam scented candle which are some of the best scented candles i’ve come across. The scent is so premium and makes your surroundings smell great. I eat my breakfast while I get caught up on the news or some last minute revision for a test that day.
7. JOURNALING
Right before I head out I just jot down my thoughts and ideas. I also make a to-do list and schedule all my tasks for the day. I like to write it down as I find it therapeutic. I write down the task followed by how long I'd take to complete it so I don't procrastinate and hinder myself from doing what I have to. I usually do this while I'm drinking my lemon water or coffee. I like to light some Ekam incense sticks to set the mood and help my creative juices flow.
8. AFFIRMATIONS AND MANTRAS
I love affirmations. There’s something so innately powerful about setting your intention for the day with a simple affirmation or mantra that you remind yourself of that will really keep you focused throughout your day. Once I'm ready for the day I look at myself in the mirror and repeat some of these affirmations to myself
“I Am Beautiful.”
“I Am Loved.”
“I Am Successful.”
“I Am Wealthy.”
“I Am Healthy.”
“I Am Strong.”
9. MAKE YOUR BED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING
I always like to make my bed as soon as I wake up. I also clean up the room and put away clothes and shoes that i left lying around the previous night. I am a firm believer that a decluttered space leads to a decluttered mind.
10. LISTEN TO YOUR FAVORITE TRACKS
On my way to work or college. I always like to play some uplifting energetic music as it hypes me up to face the day ahead of me. I also like to spray some Ekam freshener in my car to give me that extra boost as I sing and dance along to my tracks amidst the Bangalore traffic.
