On Tuesday evenings, I set the morning alarm for a few minutes earlier, so I’m up in good time for my Wednesday morning ritual. After a quick cup of tea, I’m off to meet my walking buddy Julie at some local bushland.
We started walking together many moons ago. We realised we share a deep love of nature and live close to a beautiful piece of bushland with multiple paths that wind uphill and down dale that we never tire of. By going early, we enjoy the early morning light as it glints between the trees welcoming in the day. The birds are gearing up for their full morning chorus and it’s a place that brings us much joy and deep gratitude for having access to such a lovely space.
Having a ritual like our Wednesday morning walks gives us something to look forward to. We enjoy each other’s company and we both relish that time, immersed in the simple enjoyment of walking while noticing how the land changes, even on a weekly basis.
We’re currently in Spring and the sight of kangaroo paws, wild freesias and countless other flowering shrubs is delightful.
Our 6 km walk sets us up so we’re ready for the working day ahead feeling energised, refreshed and in a good mood.
There are several advantages of spending time outside in the early morning:
- Exposure to the early morning light is an excellent way to reset your body clock, helping you to get a better night’s sleep. Because the sun isn’t high in the sky, there’s no need for sunglasses, so you get the full benefit.
- Getting outside for a walk, run or jog in a green or blue space in the early morning is a great primer for better cognition. Exercise in this way sets you up for a great day at work, so you are clear-headed, focused, able to absorb and retain new information and more creative.
- It elevates your mood. Stress levels are lower, including cortisol, while levels of serotonin – your feel-good hormone and oxytocin, our bonding molecule are raised. You’re more prosocial, considerate, generous and less judgemental of others. Dare I say it, you’re nicer to have around!
- Time in nature increases gratitude for what we have and for the beauty of our natural world. You’re less likely to get bogged down in all the minutiae of our multiple first-world problems. It broadens your perspective and makes you more resilient.
- One of the things I love the most for getting up and out early is the relative quiet. The rest of the world is still waking up. There are few other people around and I relish that quiet time with just natural sounds for company.
Do you have a daily or weekly morning ritual for your well-being? I’d love to hear what you do. Please share.
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