Create a Bulletproof Morning Routine

ALOHA from Hawaii!!
Lauren Bragg, co-founder of the Happiness Retreat here!  One of the most common questions I get from clients is about creating a morning routine that ACTUALLY sticks.  I'll share why these habits are so challenging, how to create a shift and walk you through the step by step process I've used to create my routines that make me feel SO DAMN GOOD! 

We usually know what we need to do to make us feel good right? The problem is when it comes to repeating these habits to form a long term routine.  I find that my clients usually make it about a week before they notice they've lost the wind in sails.  The other issue I come across is that we don't have a clear definition of what it means to have a routine or a defined routine itself.

A very important note on agreements. When we make agreements with ourselves we must be super clear. Keeping agreements with ourselves is just as important as keeping agreements with others.  If we consistently break an agreement with a friend, the relationship deteriorates.  When we break an agreement with ourselves, our self trust deteriorates just the same. When you flake on yourself, you're telling yourself you're not worth it.  BAD NEWS and you deserve better!  

Here's how to create a routine that you can stick with:

1. Define a time frame: It's important that we set an initial time frame so we know when we've succeeded.  For example, "I will complete my morning routine every day for 21 days."  This way (and sneakily it takes about 3 weeks to solidify new habits), you'll be able to challenge yourself with an end in sight.  By the time you get to the end of 21 days, you'll have created your new routine and it's time to celebrate sister! 

****IMPORTANT**** 
​Your "why" behind creating and sustaining your morning routine is perhaps the MOST important part of this process.  So, what's your why?? WHY do you want to create a morning routine? What do you want to remedy? How will you feel when you've set this up? A strong why is THE WIND IN YOUR SAILS! 

2. Write down your routine: This is where we SUPER CLEARLY define what we'll do.  Here's the thing,   saying that you'll workout in the morning isn't effective.  Saying "I will spend 30 minutes walking, hiking or doing yoga each morning" is how to create an agreement with yourself that sticks. Here are some examples of morning routine:

• Drink 12 ounces of lemon water
• Spend 15 minutes stretching
• Wash my face, moisturize and spend 5 minutes brushing my teeth
• Spend 5 minutes scheduling my day
• Drink 1 cup of bulletproof coffee
• Take my supplements (fish oil, collagen, D3, B complex and green supplement)
• Spend 10 minutes making and packing my lunch
• Spend 30 minutes doing yoga
• Apply my favorite essential oils 

3. Consider your action plans: What do you need to do make sure you complete your morning regimen?  This is a NO MATTER WHAT type of conversation you need to have with yourself.  Here are some examples:

• I need to go to bed by 9pm so I can wake up at 6:30am
• I need to go to the famers market to buy lemons for the week
• I need to lay out my workout clothes and yoga mat the night before
• I need new coconut oil and natural toothpaste for my face and teeth
• I need a new planner to plan out my days
• I need to buy ingredients for bulletproof coffee and make sure I have enough supplements

4. Ask for help: We all have that friend or family member that just "gets you" right?  Time to bring them into the mix!  Simply let someone know that you're in the process of creating a new routine.  It's especially helpful if you enroll someone to call you on your shit.  

5. Celebrate: When you successfully complete your morning routine challenge, make sure to do something extra special for yourself.  After all, you're essentially accomplishing a HUGE goal. Maybe you've been wanting to take a road trip or treat yourself to a movie. It's helpful to write "when I complete my morning routine challenge I will ________________." If you're really hardcore you can even say "if I don't complete my morning routine challenge I will (wash my husbands truck/refold my linen closet/wash all the windows in my house).

So there you have it Happy Babes!  Wishing you all the success and yummy feels for when you get your new morning routine in place! 

Live to Thrive, 
Lauren