Picture the first six minutes of your usual morning routine. What does it look like? If you’re like most of us, the first six minutes of your morning might involve little more than hitting the snooze button, rolling over, and trying to get another ten minutes of sleep. What if we told you we can transform your morning in just 6 minutes?
We all know that a ten-minute snooze isn’t going to change our lives. It’s not going to leave us feeling any more well-rested or alert; in fact, repeated snoozing disrupts our body’s natural sleep rhythm and can make us feel even groggier than we would have just waking up.
So, we at the Fabulous have devised a six-minute Miracle Morning Ritual of our own. Even if you’re not ready to commit to waking an hour earlier than your usual time, surely you can manage six minutes.
Minute 1: Sit up, stretch, and get out of bed
The first minute of this ritual is the most crucial. Borrowing Mel Robbins’s Five-Second Rule, physically forcing yourself out of bed within the first five seconds of waking is the make-or-break moment that will decide how the rest of your day goes. If you don’t get up, get out of bed, and get moving even a little, you’re guaranteed to fall victim to the snooze cycle.
Minute 2: Drink water
After sleeping for several hours, your body is pretty dehydrated. Getting some water in your system will help wake up your body, which will in turn make you feel more alert. Putting water on to boil for tea or starting your coffeemaker can also be done at this time.
Minute 3: Brush your teeth
Not only does heading for the bathroom and brushing your teeth get you moving, it’s a mindless activity that doesn’t require much thought, so you don’t have to be fully awake or alert to get it done, which means you’re more likely to do it even if you’re still groggy. The fresh minty flavors of your toothpaste and mouthwash will also be pleasantly refreshing!
Minute 4: Smile at your reflection and pay yourself a compliment
You’re halfway there! If you’re still sleepy, splash a little cold water on your face, then get a look at yourself in the mirror. Smile as wide as you can and take a minute to empower yourself with some positive affirmations. You deserve it!
Minute 5: Set your daily goal
Ask yourself this: If you could only accomplish one thing today, what would it be? Even if it’s something small, like returning a library book or remembering to smile more, pick one thing to do specifically for yourself. Visualize yourself completing it. How does it make you feel? How will your goal for today help you tomorrow? A year from now?
Minute 6: Meditate
Settle comfortably somewhere, close your eyes, and enjoy a few deep breaths for your final minute. Take the time to center yourself, enjoy some silence and peace, and get your mind right for the day ahead.
Transform your morning in six minutes
Just like that, in as little as six minutes, you’ve already accomplished so much! You’re awake, refreshed, and ready to start your day. You’ve managed to completely transform your morning ritual from one of half-asleep drudgery to something proactive, productive, and positive, in less time than you’d get from hitting the snooze button even once.
Like any habits we try to build, this deceptively simple ritual may seem impossible at first. The first morning might feel like torture as you kick off your warm blankets and face your dark, cold bedroom. This is completely normal; people are naturally resistant to change.
The good news is, people are also naturally adaptable. The first day might be awful but the second day will be easier, and the third day easier still. If you do it consistently, your body will catch on, and before you know it, you’ll transform your morning and be waking up before your alarm even goes off!
And, as always, Fabulous will be there every step of the way to help you. If you still feel like you’re having trouble waking up in the morning, try our A Fabulous Night Journey, to help you make sure you’re getting good, deep sleep.
