Over the last five years I’ve developed a robust morning routine (including longer Morning Pages), automatically executing each activity in the same order every day. However, while listening to a podcast last week, I was surprised to discover I may have been doing things in the wrong sequence all this time.
It seems the order in which we complete our morning routines can significantly impact the experience and the benefits we receive. This post provides a simple breakdown of why order could make a difference, and suggests some potential sequencing options.
Why Order Matters
- Meditation:
- Calming: Meditation often promotes a sense of calm and focus. If done before coffee, it can help you start the day with a clear mind and increased awareness.
- Caffeine: Caffeine can increase alertness and energy, but it can also make it harder to quiet the mind for meditation.
- Coffee:
- Energy Boost: Coffee provides a quick energy boost, which can be helpful for getting motivated for exercise or journaling.
- Jitters: Consuming coffee before meditation may lead to restlessness and make it difficult to settle into a meditative state.
- Journaling:
- Stream of Consciousness: Journaling can help you process thoughts and emotions. Doing it before exercise may help you release any pent-up feelings.
- Creative Block: If you’re prone to writer’s block, journaling after exercise might provide a boost of inspiration and clarity.
- Dance Exercises:
- Energising: Dance is a great way to increase energy and improve mood. Doing it first thing can set a positive tone for the day.
- Warm-up: If you prefer a gentle warm-up before more intense exercise, dance might be better suited for later in the routine.
Potential Orderings
Here are a few possible orderings, each with its own potential benefits:
- Meditation → Coffee → Journaling → Dance: This order prioritises mindfulness and reflection before engaging in more stimulating activities.
- Coffee → Dance → Journaling → Meditation: This order provides an immediate energy boost and allows you to channel that energy into exercise and creative expression.
- Dance → Meditation → Coffee → Journaling: This order combines the energising effects of dance with the calming benefits of meditation, followed by a gentle caffeine boost and reflective journaling.
- Journaling → Meditation → Coffee → Dance: This order allows you to process any immediate thoughts or emotions through journaling before engaging in more mindful and physically active activities.
Ultimately, the best order for you will depend on your personal preferences, energy levels, and goals. Experiment with different sequences to find what works best for you.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Time Constraints: If you’re short on time, you might want to prioritise the activities that are most important to you.
- Personal Preferences: Do you prefer to start your day with a quiet moment of reflection or a burst of physical activity?
- Energy Levels: How do you typically feel in the morning? Are you naturally energised or do you need a gentle wake-up?
By carefully considering these factors, you can create a morning routine that supports your overall well-being and helps you achieve your goals.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash.
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