I believe the secret behind every successful day is an epic morning routine. What you choose to do in the first hour after getting out of bed will heavily shape the way you travel through the day, both mentally and physically.
I’ve tried a stack of regimes and rituals to find what works best and while I’ve got something great going on now, there’s no doubt I’ll continue to experiment in the future to make it even better. My morning routine is also designed to fit into my current lifestyle of 2 kiddies, a dog, running a business, social obligations, plus a stack of before and after school activities.
Remember to take my (or anyone’s) morning routine with a grain of salt. Yours should unfold in its own unique way depending on your commitments and responsibilities. But always know that every day is a new chance to start fresh.
5.45am
I usually wake 10-15 minutes before my alarm sounds but I still set it for 5.45. I stretch out in bed like a cat, then walk into the bathroom to scrape my tongue (something new I’ve been implementing for the last year), take out my splint and splash my face with water.
5.50am
I open the front door and walk outside in the fresh air with Simba (our 14 year old Cocker Spaniel). I use this time to breathe deeply and find gratitude for everything in my life – I remind myself how lucky I am to have a loving family, a warm bed and food on our table every day. I’ll never take these simple, yet vital, blessings for granted.
6 – 6.20am
Despite the fact I’ve just slept for 9 hours, I find a spot on the couch to close my eyes and meditate for 20 minutes. My husband thinks I’m crazy but finding this stillness just after waking is a non-negotiable for me. It fosters mental clarity, emotional balance, and inner peace – three things that I believe are fundamental to any positive day.
I’ve been meditating for roughly a decade now and learnt with a meditation teacher over a course. When I started, I would set a timer at home to know when 20 minutes was up. Now my body just knows. I practice Transcendental Meditation (TM), which stems from Vedic traditions and involves repeating a mantra over and over in my head until I reach a state of relaxed awareness. This has probably been the most transformative element in my entire health journey to date.
6.25am
I squeeze fresh lemon into a very large glass of filtered water and drink it slowly in the kitchen. Sometimes I add Celtic sea salt for added minerals depending on how my body feels or how much training (or sweating) I’ve done recently. While I’m here I take a collection of morning vitamins which I’ve researched for optimal daily function including a comprehensive AM multi and a potent blend for hair, skin and energy. I notice the difference if I forget to take them.
6.30am
By this time the entire family are awake and coming for cuddles – my favourite! If they wake before this time, they know I like it quiet until my meditation finishes and I hope that one day it becomes a normal part of their own morning routine.
I start making breakfast for the kids and prepping school lunch boxes. This usually takes me 15 minutes or so depending on what I choose to make, but we change it up every day. Breaky could be anything from pancakes, to eggs on toast, waffles, smoothies, porridge or muesli. I also try to add as much variety into their lunch boxes as possible to ensure their getting a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins. Not always easy. But possible.
6.45am
The energy goes up a few notches in the house. Kids are now getting dressed and pretending they can’t find their socks or remember where their toothbrush is. I’m usually putting the final touches on lunch boxes or filling up water bottles, plus I spend these last few minutes in the kitchen making my one and only coffee for the day. Inside I add hydrolysed collagen, medicinal mushrooms, 2 shots of coffee and frothed almond milk. I change up the mushroom blend depending on what my body needs or what part of my cycle I’m in.
7am
I try my best to sit down for at least 5 full minutes to drink my coffee mindfully. Bonus points if I can do that with Misha outside on the balcony.
7.05am
I probably spend 7 minutes flat in the bathroom showering and lathering on my AM skincare, then getting dressed and tying my shoes. A sleek bun is my go-to – and not out of choice.
7.15am
Final check that the kids have everything they need for the school day plus after school activities, then in the car we go for morning tennis. It’s a short drive to the courts which is an absolute lifesaver.
8.50am
After tennis practice I drop the kids at school and remind them for the 10,000th time not to forget their hat or leave their water bottle somewhere. I always stop them before they walk into school, look them in the eyes, and tell them I love them more than anything.
Rachael Finch is a mother of two, wellness entrepreneur and certified health coach. Kissed Earth, her range of natural health and wellness products, launched in 2019, providing Australians with clean, superior quality health products. Rachael has spent the past decade helping thousands to achieve their wellness goals by promoting the benefits of a harmonious balance in mind and body.
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