If you’re in the midst of recovering from a back injury, there are probably certain things you can’t do, which has impacted your daily life in some way, shape, or form. However, that doesn’t mean you have to do away with your morning routine!
As a self-proclaimed snooze addict and “non-morning” person, my back injury taught me that it’s crucial to have a kick-ass morning routine, regardless of my current circumstances.
Why? A solid morning routine gives us a sense of accomplishment and regularity, and sets a positive tone for our days, helping to prevent us from slipping into a negative mindset, which is critical for those of us who experiencing a physical setback.
Develop Your Success Habits
As the legendary motivational speaker and author Brian Tracy once said, “Successful people are simply those with successful habits.” And he’s right. One of the ways to do this is known as the ‘Hour of Power.’ A lot of self-help gurus have created their own version of ‘Hour of Power,’ but I think we need to develop our own interpretation of this phenomenon. Why? Because if it doesn’t makes sense for our own lifestyles and preferences, we’re not going to stick to it!
Make Lasting Changes
What I really love about this approach is that if you don’t have the ability to move your body right now, there are so many other things you can do to make your mornings special, fulfilling, and TRANSFORMATIVE. Here are some easy ritual ideas for getting started with creating your own Hour of Power (that don’t involve physical activity!):
- Writing in a gratitude journal
- Embarking in a prayer and bible reading routine
- Journaling your goals and future plans
- Making a to-do list for the day that sets you up for success
- Watching, listening to, or reading something inspirational or uplifting
- Having a healthy breakfast and preparing a healthy lunch
Focus on What You CAN Do
When I first started this journey, I was not able to do any physical activity, so I focused on rituals that I COULD do. As I healed and time progressed, I was able to incorporate gentle movement into my hour of power. Fast forward to the present day, and this involves starting my day with light stretching that moves my spine in all six directions, while I’m listening to a Christian Meditation.
If you’re not a morning person (like me!), you may need to start off with 15 minutes of power, and work your way up to an hour. You can also try doing a chunk of time in the morning, and a chunk of time in the evening.
Or, if you honestly just can’t function in the morning no matter how hard you try, your power time slot can literally be any time of the day you choose. Remember, YOU set the terms, and of course, you can always change the terms in a way that makes the most sense for your life.
You’ve got this, and I’ve got your back (no pun intended)!
Xo,
Christa D.