RISE-UP is such a great acronym. I blocked my dangerous apps (chats, the internet and YouTube) from 8 to 10 and my partner and I try to do either yoga or a short walk, but unfortunately we often forget about it a few days in, even if we both really enjoy it and the mornings feel so great with a short walk or exercise.
I love this Taylor! Yes, the exercise, I started to do some stretches in the morning in the last couple of years--not yoga or a workout, and it really helps to get me ready for the day.
Oh wow it has a name? I've fought sleep inertia for 50 years. Before that it was my mom's problem. To get me out if bed lol.
The small exercise in the morning is life changing. My best time was when I'd just lace up and do a 15 minute run, come back, do a 15 min yoga- BEFORE siting down to journal. Again, as you said, it was a temperate area. Now? I live further north. Dark. Cold. Ugh.
I discovered over the years that staying in bed too long was also a problem. Left to my own devices I'd sleep 10 hours- not good because I'd spend the day doped up.
Conversely, since wearing a fitbit for sleep, I've discovered that 8 hours isn't 8 hours, and I actually thrive about the 7 hour sleep mark.
Also to add to the list- protein in the morning. No carb first thing. So a scoop of collagen in your coffee helps too.
The first thing I do after feeding the cats (5am, every morning, ugh) is do the NYT Wordle, spelling bee, mini-crossword and Connections. I like giving my brain a quick workout before anything else.
I cracked up thinking of your imaginary dog! I have an Aussie Labradoodle who takes me out for a walk and a ball catch every morning. But first in bed I meditate and do morning pages. I'm an Audhder you will hate since I'm so inflexible, I set it and do it and that's that. I added 30 minutes of cardio since they built a gym across the street from me (after walking the dog). That forces me to actually shower daily (if I don't do something daily, the spell breaks and I stop). So I started 12/31/23 and haven't stopped yet... hopefully the cardio will save my newly dx'd heart's heart disease... I can only try!
This was such a great read and I resonate especially with the reframe of movement from a capital-E Exercise vs. light movement! In the past I've set (and never achieved) goals like "run for 45 minutes" or "practice yoga for an hour" in the morning. Also, when we had a dog, my spouse was always the early morning walker. Maybe when we adopt another I'll try out the morning walk! :)
My struggle is consistency. I’m good for maybe 6 days straight, then I think about it: wow, look st me, 6 days straight. That reflection (for lack of a better word) is like the kids of death. Throws ne off my game. That and thinking I have to start a new routine on a Monday. (When the 1st of the month is a Monday, ding ding ding!!)
When I do this morning routine, I ~always~ feel better. But I can't always hit it. My real struggle is getting enough sleep. What are your tips for getting 8 hours every night?
I love the RISE-UP morning routine, I’ve not come across that. So many great ideas and resources. ✨
RISE-UP is such a great acronym. I blocked my dangerous apps (chats, the internet and YouTube) from 8 to 10 and my partner and I try to do either yoga or a short walk, but unfortunately we often forget about it a few days in, even if we both really enjoy it and the mornings feel so great with a short walk or exercise.
Thanks for writing this and sharing here - will be contemplating this, though I need to substitute the dog walk idea.
literally adore that you pretend to have a dog - that's gold! 🐶
I love this Taylor! Yes, the exercise, I started to do some stretches in the morning in the last couple of years--not yoga or a workout, and it really helps to get me ready for the day.
Oh wow it has a name? I've fought sleep inertia for 50 years. Before that it was my mom's problem. To get me out if bed lol.
The small exercise in the morning is life changing. My best time was when I'd just lace up and do a 15 minute run, come back, do a 15 min yoga- BEFORE siting down to journal. Again, as you said, it was a temperate area. Now? I live further north. Dark. Cold. Ugh.
I discovered over the years that staying in bed too long was also a problem. Left to my own devices I'd sleep 10 hours- not good because I'd spend the day doped up.
Conversely, since wearing a fitbit for sleep, I've discovered that 8 hours isn't 8 hours, and I actually thrive about the 7 hour sleep mark.
Also to add to the list- protein in the morning. No carb first thing. So a scoop of collagen in your coffee helps too.
The first thing I do after feeding the cats (5am, every morning, ugh) is do the NYT Wordle, spelling bee, mini-crossword and Connections. I like giving my brain a quick workout before anything else.
I cracked up thinking of your imaginary dog! I have an Aussie Labradoodle who takes me out for a walk and a ball catch every morning. But first in bed I meditate and do morning pages. I'm an Audhder you will hate since I'm so inflexible, I set it and do it and that's that. I added 30 minutes of cardio since they built a gym across the street from me (after walking the dog). That forces me to actually shower daily (if I don't do something daily, the spell breaks and I stop). So I started 12/31/23 and haven't stopped yet... hopefully the cardio will save my newly dx'd heart's heart disease... I can only try!
Love all this, especially your imaginary dog! Well done! But how did you manage the snooze? I have my own tricks but I know it can be a beast!
This was such a great read and I resonate especially with the reframe of movement from a capital-E Exercise vs. light movement! In the past I've set (and never achieved) goals like "run for 45 minutes" or "practice yoga for an hour" in the morning. Also, when we had a dog, my spouse was always the early morning walker. Maybe when we adopt another I'll try out the morning walk! :)
My struggle is consistency. I’m good for maybe 6 days straight, then I think about it: wow, look st me, 6 days straight. That reflection (for lack of a better word) is like the kids of death. Throws ne off my game. That and thinking I have to start a new routine on a Monday. (When the 1st of the month is a Monday, ding ding ding!!)
*KISS of death
When I do this morning routine, I ~always~ feel better. But I can't always hit it. My real struggle is getting enough sleep. What are your tips for getting 8 hours every night?