5 morning mistakes

Namaste!
In earlier times, people used to wake up peacefully and go through their regular morning rituals mindfully.
The way you begin your morning sets the tone for your entire day. How your day will turn out will depend largely on how you began it. Unfortunately, many people start the day wrongly. Today, let us see 5 common mistakes you may be making in the mornings.


One – Not waking up at sunrise or beforeThe ideal time to wake up is the Brahma Muhurtham which is 2 hours before sunrise. The reason for the same is to have time for yourself to properly cleanse and nourish your body before you set off with your day.
So if you are not an early riser, try to practice to wake up a little earlier than usual every day. Slowly and surely waking up at around sunrise will become your habit. Waking up early helps you to maintain steady energy during the day and this early start will definitely make your day more productive.

Two – Not setting an affirmation for the dayIf you are beginning your day feeling anxious or stressed, ask yourself, what was the first action you took after waking up? If your answer was - reaching out for the phone, you must consider swapping your phone for a morning prayer or affirmation.
For example, you may make an affirmation such as – I greet this day with the belief that my heart is open and receptive to giving and receiving love.
When you thank God or a higher power, a simple expression of gratitude will give a positive direction to your day.
Three – Not drinking water first thing in the morningAfter resting for 7 to 8 hours at night, the first thing your body needs is water. If you do not drink water in the morning, and eat food directly, your digestive system gets stressed. Drinking warm water hydrates your body, flushes your kidneys, and stimulates your digestive system into action.
Drinking a tall glass of water in the morning will help you feel more awake and energetic. If you squeeze a lemon into this water, you can also detox your body.

Four – Not taking a showerIf you miss a shower in the morning, you may feel dull and lethargic through the day. Bathing is cleansing, refreshing, and brings you energy. It removes impurities and brings clarity to your mind and spirituality to your life.
So take a quick shower every morning before breakfast, wear clean clothes, and see the difference in your attitude. Cleaning the body and wearing fresh clothes brings beauty and virtue. To give yourself more vitality, you may wear flowers or the scent of essential oils.

Five – Not moving your body enoughIf you do not move your body enough, it may start wasting away and you may invite illnesses.
Hence, getting some form of exercise is essential in the morning. You may settle for a quiet yoga sequence or a vigorous walk for a few miles. Even simply stretching is good enough. You will see for yourself that any effort you make in the morning to exercise will make you feel physically stronger and mentally confident throughout the day.
You see, there are good mornings and there are perfect mornings. If you develop the correct morning habits, your days will definitely turn out to be more productive. With a healthy morning routine, your body will also have the ability to recover faster and you will be less likely to fall ill in the first place.

Authored by: Dr Hansaji Yogendra, The Yoga Institute