My Simple Morning Ritual

Everyone has their morning rituals. My morning ritual, which has been a cherished part of my routine for years, is reading the newspaper with a cup of tea. While the tea is boiling, I also do a simple yoga stretch. The tea, the newspaper, and the stretch may not sound like a huge deal, but this simple ritual sets the tone for my entire day. The moments I spend with myself help me accomplish more in a shorter period of time. I also made a video for my YouTube channel. It was a bit more challenging than making a food video, but I gave it a try!

I am an early riser, and even if I stay up late, I wake up almost at the same time every day. In fact, I’m excited to get out of bed early because I feel refreshed and have my tea-sipping, stretching, and newspaper to look forward to. I sit comfortably on the family dining room chair, propping my legs up on the other chair nearby as I sip my tea and read the newspaper. It’s a cozy and relaxing way to start the day!

The tea I enjoy each morning is ginger tea with a touch of black pepper. It soothes my throat and is packed with health benefits like promoting good digestion and fighting inflammation. Tea, as we all know, is both an energizer and a way to relax—almost like a signal for transitioning between different parts of the day.

You’ll find the ginger tea recipe in the recipe card, and below is the stretch routine that I do.

I start by placing the ginger tea on the stove over low heat and begin with Mountain Pose (eyes closed), holding it for about five breaths. This active pose helps improve posture, balance, and fosters calm focus. Next, I bring my hands to my heart center, still with my eyes closed, and take a moment to think of two things I’m grateful for. Then, I inhale deeply, look up, and stretch my arms overhead, palms touching.

I gently fold forward into a Forward Fold, keeping my knees slightly bent. In the morning, it’s difficult to hinge at the hips with straight legs, so I allow my torso to drape over my thighs, letting the crown of my head lengthen toward the earth. I massage the back of my legs, and once I’m warm enough, I begin to straighten my legs and gently shake my head from side to side (yes or no) or sway my torso left and right. This movement stretches my entire body, opens up my hamstrings and lower back, and calms my mind.

When I rise, I feel different—in a good way.

I then move into a neck stretch. I start by dropping my chin to my chest, gently wobbling from side to side, before dropping my right ear to my right shoulder. I move my chin up, down, and side to side, whatever feels good, and repeat the same stretches on the other side.

This whole routine takes about 5-6 minutes, and by the end, I feel fully awake.

It’s these small moments of calm that help me face the day with energy and focus. A simple ritual can make all the difference. Do you have a morning ritual that helps set the tone for your day? Feel free to share in the comments!

Bringing this post to Angie’s Fiesta Linky party at Fiesta Friday, co hosted by Jhuls @ Not so creative cook.