I set the tone for the day

I remember when I was in high school, due to a series of unfortunate events, I was going through a bout of severe depression, insomnia, PTSD and anxiety. I didn't believe that I could ever get better, let alone experience a joyful or blissful day. Heck, I didn't even believe I'd ever experience "energy" or "vitality" or "motivation". Those feelings were so foreign to me that I thought I would have to just put up with myself for the rest of my life, dragging my feet everywhere I went.

My parents always mentioned "if you did a morning routine, as opposed to sleeping in until 3pm everyday, you'd feel better" but I didn't necessarily believe them, nor did I want to. However, one day after I had graduated high school, I finally made the decision to take control of my life. No more feeling sorry for myself, no more wallowing in self pity. Something told me (my intuition, to be exact) that the cure to my depression really was how I treated myself. How I behaved towards myself each day. What I ate, drank, thought, believed, said, would influence how I was feeling. Finally, I realised that my happiness was in my own hands, and the only person getting in my way was myself.

So, where to start? It seemed logical to start from the start of the day. In all the ancient holistic healing systems of the world such as Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda (Ancient Indian healing system that encapsulates science, philosophy, astrology and many other subjects all into one), the morning routine is heavily elucidated. Our ancient ancestors recognised the importance of waking up with the sun rising, meditating and stretching, drinking some warm water and then emptying your bowels before eating breakfast. This routine is so important that if you go to an Ayurvedic doctor and tell them you are sick, the first thing they will do is ask you, "what is your current morning routine?"

I remember, being 17 years old, my parents had taken me to such a doctor in an effort to help with my chronic physical and mental illnesses. When he asked me my morning routine, I laughed and said I slept in most mornings and then I would eat some food. His response was, "if you want to actually get better, you will have to change your morning routine. I suggest you do this: wake up at 6am and do not eat anything until 7am. Between 6am and 7am, you are cleansing your body and preparing it for breakfast. You dont want to add any extra food on top of the old food from the evening before. Best to drink a warm glass of water and rub your belly in a clockwise motion (imagine a clockface on your belly, 12 being in the middle of your lower chest and 6 being your navel), visualise the water cleansing your digestive tract. When you do this, you have already shown your body so much love and appreciation."

I'm telling you now, this Ayurvedic doctor somehow changed my whole perspective on the balance between body, mind and spirit. He made me realise something about my body that I hadn't quite figured out before. The body really is a temple.

And so, since then, I have had a morning ritual that I find to be not only energising and motivating, but also peaceful and loving. Sometimes I incorporate positive music, sometimes I prefer the silence. Dancing is optional :-)

6AM-6:30: Wake up and say hello to the beautiful sun. I acknowledge the sun because it is a life force. I am like a human solar panel and really the sun gives me so much power. Saying hello and thank you feels good.

While I'm still lying in the bed, I stretch out my legs and arms, back, neck. You don't have to do full on yoga, just some stretches are enough. That said, yoga is highly beneficial for all your issues. Trust me. I recommend the Youtuber "Yoga With Adriene". She has short routine videos for almost every ailment under the sun. For example, she has ones like "Yoga for Period Pain" and "Yoga for a Broken Heart". Bless you, Adriene <3

6:45AM: Drink warm or hot water. Cold water tend to be a bit of a shock to the internal system. Warm or hot water soothes, cleanses and balances. Ive noticed that drinking water in the morning has helped my skin stay clear and hydrated.

Positive affirmations have also become a big part of my life, since last year. They truly work. I have a set of affirmations I say out loud daily. Since doing this, my life has genuinely been so much better. I don't have stressful situations occur anymore, because I feel that I attract all the right situations instead. I do recommend you look up the Universal Law of Attraction and Manifestation. This concept swung my life around, in the best of ways. Not to mention, it added magick and meaning to my life in ways I had not ever imagined possible.

7AM: I normally prepare a breakfast or having a protein shake. Sometimes I can't eat much so I just have a banana. The important thing here, I believe, is setting intentions when preparing food. I essentially "bless" my breakfast to give me the energy I need and to nourish my body and soul. Everything is energy, its helpful to work with it.

7:45AM: During my shower, I also do a bit of magick. It's called a "cleansing ritual" and I basically visualise all the old, negative energy I no longer need as black soot washing off my body and going down the drain. I keep visualising this until the black soot gradually turns to white shiny light. That's when I know I'm not only physically clean but also energetically clean. I kid you not, since doing this little ritual I don't feel lethargic or heavy anymore. Like I said, everything truly is energy and it is very beneficial to recognise that.

8AM: After my shower, I do yet another very important routine that I learnt through Ayurveda, and I must say that this is the ultimate SELF LOVE routine - I massage my entire face and body with a skin-loving, nutrient-rich oil such as Apricot Kernel, Sesame, Argan, Jojoba or Almond oil. To make them even more potent and magickal, I add drops of essential oils to make a blend of beautiful aromas. When massaging, I visualise my entire body healing. I tell my body I love it, I thank it for functioning the way it does. I know that every cell within me is listening as I acknowledge them. Since incorporating body massage into my routine, I have enjoyed more energy and vitality. The massage really does promote good blood circulation and thus you get beautiful skin and beautiful health. I've cured a lot of obscure, "incurable" health problems from daily massage alone.

After massage, I get dressed and ready for the spectacular day ahead of me. I always tell myself, out loud, that the day ahead is going to be spectacular.

I also remember to look in the mirror and smile, tell myself I look spectacular, too.