The Power of Your Daily Routine

Due to a study by Maxwell Maltz in the 1960s, we loosely understand that it takes, on average, 21 days to form a good habit. Recent studies have proven that the 21 days is nowhere near long enough to do so, but instead propose that it takes at least 66 days to create a good, habitual routine. Either way, 21 or 66 days, I'm not here to debate the science or give my input about it. I'm here to explain what type of power daily routines have on our lives. If you want to read more about the habit science, I'll leave another link for you to read at the end.

It's true, creating a daily routine helps people to better organize their lives. Routines help to increase time management, reduce stress, and increases efficiency and success. Think about how those things may all correlate. I figured if it's going to take me three weeks to three months to form positive habits, the first habits I want to focus on are the ones that make up my daily routine. I want the things that I need to do in my life to become second nature. I don't want to have to remember or force myself to do these things, kind of like brushing my teeth or eating. Here's what I've come up with and have been practicing for the past week or so:

1. Wake up & Drink Water

First and foremost, I've been screaming "drink water and mind your business" for a while now. It's literally my mantra. However, I've been put on to this idea that drinking water when you first wake up increases your amount of energy during the day. It's the most efficient way to get your day started. A glass or two of water after five to eight hours of sleep, immediately rehydrates your body. It jumpstarts your metabolism, helps to flush out your body, and can even make you eat less or less hungry. After reading this, how would you feel if you didn't drink any water for the next eight hours?... That's what happens to your body when you sleep.

Drinking water and minding my business

2. Pray, Read, & Meditate

I do this in steps. I don't pray, read and meditate all at once, but I think they are all necessary to complete as I am getting my day started. I like to pray when I first wake up to tell God, "thank you," for getting me throughout the night and asking for guidance throughout my day. Then, I also pray with a friend of mine around 6:30 every morning, but I'll get to that.

Praying for the families in Haiti

As far as reading and meditation, I put on my 25 at 25 list that I want to read ten books this year. I spend a lot of time reading poem books, quick meditation apps, and most recently, I use an app called Fabulous. Fabulous is an app that helps one to build great habits. So far, it has been encouraging, inspiring, thought provoking and rewarding. I love the personalized letters that I receive when I complete a goal or begin working on a new challenge. Sometimes, I listen to the letters while I stretch, do yoga, or just relax. Praying, reading and meditating are all great ways to clear and ease your mind. They calm my nerves and help me to create positive energy. I refuse to go through my day with a negative mentality. An open mind allows for me to be more productive and resourceful.

3. Work Out / Exercise + Yoga / Stretching

Sweaty yoga, right after morning training

Wooooooo, 6:00 every morning is go time! I train each morning with my friends Ro, Yndjy and TT Jo. We start with stretches and go into exercises that get our heart rates moving and our bodies warmed up. Finally, we do our hardcore work outs and focus on different body parts each day. My personal least favorite is abdominals, but 

it's worth it. Exercising first thing in the morning gets my blood moving and gets me pumped for my day. I get this burst of energy that carries me throughout the rest of the day. Also, it is super encouraging to see how much physical progress I make. I'm working towards a target weight goal that I want to maintain. Great habits and a daily routine will definitely allow me to do so.

​After my work out, I take another 10-20 minutes to stretch and cool off, and I work on yoga poses. This is sometimes when I use my apps and listen to my devotionals and/or praise and worship music. That's why I say that I pray, read and meditate at different times in the morning.

4. Shower

I mean I'm not in the shower, but I'm fresh out.

This seems pretty basic, right? Take a shower! But seriously, a shower in the morning, especially after a workout or in the middle of your morning routine will help to relax your body and also to keep you awake. Showering in the morning stimulates the lymphatic system, the system in your body that helps to eliminate toxins from your body and aids in keeping up your immune system. Showering for cleanliness is definitely critical, we know that, but showering for health reasons is incredible as well.

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Usually, I don't eat breakfast at all, but it is something I've been trying to do consistently. I have every day now for about three weeks. We've been told all our lives that breakfast is by far the most important meal of the day and I'm starting to understand, or appreciate, why. By kickstarting your metabolism, breakfast allows you to burn more calories during the day. For people like me who can't seem to lose weight while in the US, burning calories when I can is important. It has been suggested that breakfast also helps you to focus at work and school. Remember everybody; HEALTHY BREAKFAST, not a chocolate chip muffin.

Breakfast with my mission team

6. Write / Research

Finally, I take a little bit of time during my day to write or to research. I use my cute "plans" notebook for writing my ideas and my awesome travel journal for keeping up with my travels away from home. I take this time to focus on me, my goals and my life. I love what I do, but I also have to plan for what comes next and that's an important part of my day.

Meditation, Mindfulness and Positivity Apps:
Fabulous, Headspace, Eternal Sunshine, and The Yoga Collective

Read up on the power of breakfast, here!

Also, here's that sciencey link you were worried about!​
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XO,
Née