For veterans, it can be difficult to return to everyday society without the highly structured routine of life in the military.
Many veterans—myself included—have experienced waking up in the morning without a sense of purpose in their lives.
That’s why I set out to create a morning routine that jump started my day.
A consistent morning routine can help to set the tone for the day, and allow us to control our days rather than feeling like stress, anxiety, and obligations are controlling us.
In this post, I’m going to outline some ways to create the perfect morning routine for you, and give you the tools to help you stick to it.
A Morning Routine Rooted In Peace
Stress, anxiety, and depression are common experiences for veterans.
These ailments can cause emotional, physical, and mental instability, making it more difficult to enjoy our journey in life, and follow our divine blueprint.
A morning routine is a great time to offer ourselves a dedicated space for mindfulness and meditation. This will lead to a greater sense of peace and groundedness as we take on the day.
Setting the tone for the day with a peaceful mindset can lead to lower stress levels, and a better night sleep going into the next day.
Giving Yourself Time
It’s time to say good-bye to the snooze button.
The amount of time you will need in the morning differs for everyone; but a good range is 30 to 90 minutes.
You don’t have to wake up at 4 a.m. to give yourself ample time. Maybe your morning routine includes preparing breakfast, self-care, or other productive actions that can set you up for success while remaining partially productive.
This time should be sacred; even though it might not feel that way at first.
Body Movement is Key
A great morning starts with engaging the body.
Instead of scrolling through Twitter or watching television, try stretching or taking a brief walk. This will help you to connect with your inner self, not the distractions of the world.
Instead of thinking of a morning routine as something to add to your day, think of things you can stop doing in order to clear more space for good practices.
Consistency in Maintaining Your Routine
At first, maintaining a healthy morning ritual may feel like somewhat of a chore.
But with consistency, you can learn to fall in love with your practice.
Trust in yourself to make the most of this time you’re allowing for growth. It’s not supposed to be easy—at least not at first.
As you grow increasingly centered and grounded, the effects will ripple out beyond your morning routine.
You can expect to feel more confident in maintaining healthy relationships, holding your peace throughout the day, and experience better nights of sleep.
Takeaways
For veterans, returning to civilian life can feel purposeless.
But you are a warrior.
You are on the path to realizing the value of your life, and finding your spiritual awakening.
A healthy morning routine can help to ensure discipline, peace, and consistency in your everyday life.
Wake with the world the right way, and find your spiritual center. As you give yourself this space, you will be able to give more of your wonderful self to the world.