Sometime over this winter I began to have a harder time getting out of bed and starting my day early in the morning.  I felt sluggish and groggy.  My body felt stiff and even a little achy for the first hour or so. It happens every year, when the temperature drops and the daylight fades early, but with some outside stress, this year it was worse than usual.

I decided that I needed to create a morning routine to get me moving.  Something that would get my blood flowing, stimulate digestion, and set an uplifted tone for the day.  It would need to be quick and easy, or its likely I would not embrace it as a habit.  After a little thought and research I came up with these three components:

Hydration: After 8 hours of sleep the body becomes mildly dehydrated.  When I wake up sleepy I'm inclined to make coffee or tea my first consumed fluid, but what the body really needs is water.  Drinking it warm makes it more easily absorbable.  Add half a lemon and a couple slices of ginger and you get the benefit of digestive stimulation and a good dose of vitamin C to boot!

Meditation:  After enjoying my first cup of ginger lemon water, I sit in quiet meditation for just five minutes.  It's more of a contemplation.  This is where I set my intentions for the day and prioritize the chaotic to-do list cluttering my mind.  It always feels like I have a hundred things to accomplish every day, but once I've meditated, or contemplated, on what is most important, I no longer feel overwhelmed and I'm able to tackle more of that list!

Yoga:  Just 10-15 minutes each morning.  I created a little series that targets my tight and achy parts.  Sun salutations are also a great way to wake the body up.  If yoga is unfamiliar to you and you prefer the idea of stretching, we have a great little book called Trail Guide to the Body's Stretch and Strengthen at the center.
Pick out a few that address your tight and achy areas and repeat daily!