As the seasons change and temperatures cool, you owe it to yourself to make some transitions too.

By Laura Schorr

While the days are growing shorter and the air getting crisper, why not cherish a new season with a fresh ritual to optimize the most of your mornings? Thanks to social media, we might all be well aware of the benefits that result from creating an intentional morning routine that tailors to your needs. Maybe you’re looking for new ways to be more productive this season. Or perhaps you want to create more time for self-care or carve out some early morning reading before the to-do list piles on in. Better yet, you probably just want to create a better sleep schedule for yourself, which actually is quite important this season, especially when daylight savings rolls around… bummer.

Ahead, we’ve gathered some tried and true tips that will help integrate new habits and set the tone for your autumn mornings.

Break Up With Your Phone

Like the rest of us, I have a hard time breaking up with my phone. And for whatever reason, there’s also another video I want to watch, another article to read or another DM to respond to. There’s nothing worse than choosing to set a bed-time for yourself and then getting trapped and falling down a rabbit hole on Twitter. Though it’ll take some practice to implement, removing most of my mobile and technological devices out of the bedroom and into the living room or another area of my apartment has made all the difference.

Setting boundaries and learning to implement better self-discipline is one way to get the job done. Keeping my phone directly next to my bed on my nightstand has caused many more late and lazy mornings than I can remember. Rolling over, hitting the snooze button and tucking myself right back under my warm sheets has become a routine that ultimately made me feel more groggy in the morning. I’ll whisper to myself, “Five minutes, I just need five minutes..”, which eventually turn into thirty, and before you know it, I'm headed out the door nearly forgetting to put deodorant on.

Maximizing my mornings to be an easeful and smooth transition into work-mode has become a priority for me. Separating my me-time from my office hours can make the greatest difference in feeling less frantic and anxious during your morning commute or when you arrive at the office. Swapping out my phone’s alarm clock for a physical one and setting it on the other side of my bedroom has really changed a lot. Being forced to get up out of bed other than when having to use the bathroom, sends a message to myself that it’s time to get going. While my warm bed sheets try to sneak in one last cuddle session, I instead give my attention to my plants and tend to my senses. A little early morning stretch or pulling back the curtains for a sun kiss, reminds me of all the small joy moments that I miss out on from the inability to break up with my tiny device.

Morning Mindfulness

Grab your gratitude journal and spend a few moments listing all of the things, no matter how big or small that you’re thankful more. Remember that the small moments of joy are what make the experience worth-while. Setting an intention, reciting an affirmation each morning and creating a game plan for how you wish your day to pan out, can help get you moving on how you can accomplish your game plan. During the work week, it helps to give your mind a break from the work you spend most of your days tending to. Thoughtfully curating your mornings to pour into yourself is greatly beneficial to charging yourself up to tackle the long work day ahead. Think of practicing morning mindfulness as a way to give yourself space between the needs of the world and the needs of yourself.

Aromatherapy

The Autumn season is such a special time because there’s a myriad of aromas sifting through the cool air. Fresh leaves falling from the trees, apple cider donuts fresh out the oven at your local coffee shop or that fresh ginger lemongrass scent sifting from your neighbors window on an early Sunday morning. Integrating scents that you love into your morning routine has the ability to change the trajectory of your day. Burning candles, lighting sage, plugging in your essential oil diffuser or cooking up your favorite breakfast food can welcome an inviting and serene atmosphere. Using scents in your environment is a very therapeutic way to trigger the mood you wish you set for the day. Try orange essential oil mixed with rosemary or grapefruit for an uplift and push for those groggy mornings. Or, eucalyptus mixed with lavender essential oil for those mornings when you need to take a moment to breathe and calm your mind before stepping out into the world. Either way, you owe it to yourself to nourish the parts of your body that need your attention. Take advantage of your early morning hours when your mind might be the most clear and make the choice to do something purposeful for yourself.

Tasty Indulgence

As it gets colder it becomes an even better time to cook and bake. I have been loving spending time on Sundays baking a dozen muffins which gives me an extra spark of joy every morning. Similarly, as much as coffee can be delectable consider swapping or adding in some cinnamon to your mornings in the form of chai or even a sprinkle in your morning latte. Particularly on the colder days, a warm hot breakfast will make your day that much more special. Maybe you don’t have time to bake or make your coffee at home and you choose to gift yourself a yummy chai latte on your way to work. Either way, you deserve it. A sweet treat in the morning after all might be the energy boost you need to get you through— and that’s more than worth it.

4 Self Care Habits To Include In Your Autumn Morning Routine