Working for myself has all the perks, but it also comes with the need for the essential skills of accountability and prioritization - both of which are challenging to maintain. Having a daily routine, rituals, and a balance of rigidity and flexibility has allowed me to become more and more productive and happy being my own boss. My morning routine is a huge component to starting my day off on a healthy and happy foot. Read ahead to hear how I begin my day.
6:30 am wake up
My husband is an early riser. He is usually up before our 6:30 am alarm clock. If it weren't for him, I would probably hit the snooze a few times. My feeling of being fully rested varies. Monday's I usually spring out of bed ready to go, but toward the end of the week, I start dragging. I do value getting up early and feeling accomplished by 9 am. After the alarm, I give my dog Henry a long squeeze. He is extra squishy in the morning and doesn't protest. I read the headlines from the New York Times daily email and get up!
I head to the bathroom, rinse by face with cold water, pop in my contacts, and rinse my mouth with Natural Dentist Pre-Brush Whitening Rinse and brush my teeth with Dr. Bronners toothpaste in anise or Jason's Powersmile toothpaste in peppermint. I try my best to use natural and organic oral, body, and cosmetic products and am always experimenting with new brands. My favorite natural deodorant is by Weleda in citrus or sage.
Before we head out, I drink a glass of water and, if I am hungry, I will have a banana with two tablespoons Once Again Organic Peanut Butter.
7:00 am nature calls
My husband, Henry, and I head to Central Park for a 4 mile run or a long walk. It is one of my favorite times of day. It connects me with nature, gets my body moving, and allows me to spend quality time with my furry and non furry co-p's.
8:30 am breakfast
Once we are home, we brew some Brooklyn Roasting Company Coffee, shower, and make breakfast. We always have WNYC on to update us on the latest news and local NYC stories. Most weekday mornings begin with smoothie time! I always document my daily concoctions on my instagram stories. When making smoothies, it is essential to make sure it is not just fruit. I always start with a base of spinach or kale, frozen fruit, and load up on plant-based sources of protein such as flax seeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. It is really important to get protein into your system 2 hours after waking up to get your metabolism going and to avoid dips in your blood sugar. Protein also helps to control your cravings and appetite throughout the day. I will usually have a piece of She Wolf sprouted rye toast with avocado or peanut butter with my smoothie. I take all my vitamins in the AM as well so I don't forget. My current regimen is omega 3's from wild Alaskan salmon, a probiotic, a multivitamin, and 1000 IU's vitamin D.
9:00 am time to radish
Once I am properly fueled I will start my day. If I am recipe developing, I will focus on cooking, photographing, and styling. Alternatively, if I am working on content, curating an event, or simply catching up on emails, I am stuck on the computer. I try my best to get up and stretch every 45 minutes and keep water by my side all day long. By 10:30 am I usually need a little pick-me-up of an apple with organic swiss cheese, a handful of nuts, or some fresh veggies and hummus to keep me satiated and focused. I always go for something that has protein, fat, and some complex carbohydrates to sustain me until my next meal.
Although I am extremely grateful to have the luxury of working from home and being my own boss, it can be easy to slip into bad habits of sleeping in or not getting to work right away. To keep my focus and momentum, I do my best to stick to the same routine. This may seem rigid or dull, but it keeps me accountable, motivated, and focused!
I would love to hear how your morning habits help you stay productive and on task! Please share below.
