Scrolling through Instagram is the first thing I do each morning after checking the news and the stock market. It’s a mindless activity that takes little to no brainpower. Once it feels like the morning brain fog has dissipated, I can begin my morning routine of Morning Pages and meditation.
Is this the best way to start my morning? Hardly!
I’ve noticed that by introducing morning pages into my routine, it takes a bit of time for my brain to feel like it’s awake and ready to be engaged. It seems like my brain is ready to get started once I’ve scrolled through the news, stocks, and Instagram. Had a small workout. Did a short mindful breathing exercise and wrote my morning pages.
This morning, the thing on my mind was if my morning routine was optimal. It seems to be working for me, but I’m always on the lookout for trying to better myself. Color me tickled to find out this morning that Jay Shetty has a new book titled Think Like a Monk, where he shares his “T.I.M.E.” model that is a morning routine based on monk-like practices for mental mastery.
Sounds like just the thing that I would be interested in. And, yes, I immediately added the book to my Amazon wishlist!
So what is this “T.I.M.E.” model?
Thankfulness
Start every morning with a positive mindset by expressing gratitude. Write it in a gratitude journal, morning pages, or whatever tool it is you use to plan your day.
“Expressing gratitude in the morning is like putting on a coat that insulates and protects us from the negativity and fear–our own and others’–that we are likely to face throughout the day,” says Shetty.
There’s plenty of research and data out there showing that gratitude can help your psychological health.
Insight
Here is where we should spend our time listening to a podcast, reading the news, or a book. Take the time to listen and learn from others.
Meditation
Shetty suggests doing 15 minutes of deep breathing and some form of meditation. However, if 15 minutes is too hard, then start with less. Just be consistent.
Exercise
Get your body moving and the blood flowing. Your body is meant to move. So let it. Hit the gym, do some yoga, go for a walk or run. Just get moving.
It’s through this movement where your body will begin releasing that negative stress it’s been holding on to.
All of this sounds simple, right?
Well, according to Shetty’s “T.I.M.E.” model, I’m doing something right. However, I will continue tweaking my morning ritual to get the most optimal me.