The 5 Morning Habits I Practice To Boost My Digestion & Calm My Mind

Many people save their self-care sessions for the weekend, but I try to carve out a little bit of time to tune into my body every day.

This wasn’t always the case, though. When I moved to NYC from Florida a few years ago, I had a hard time adjusting to the rigorous pace of the city. My morning routine consisted of bolting out of bed and rushing around in a hurry to make it into the office on time—often without taking a moment to breathe. This pace soon began to take its toll on my body, and I was constantly exhausted, stressed, and burnt out. I began forcing myself to wake up a little earlier to make time for a mindful morning routine, and instead of making me more tired, this actually calmed me down—big time. Now, the majority of my mornings are fully dedicated to one hour of self-care. It really sets the tone for the rest of the day!

Nothing feels better than treating your body to a few juicy stretches. Since my hips and shoulders are typically super tight when I first wake up, I tend to include poses that gently target these areas, like child’s pose, seated side stretch, and pigeon. Doing so allows me to flow into the day slowly and intentionally. I keep my yoga mat rolled up next to my bed, so in the morning I simply lay it on the floor and ease into some gentle movements.

Last but not least, I always spend at least 15 to 30 minutes walking with my fiancé and our dog around the neighborhood. We leave our phones in our pockets for emergency purposes and spend our time simply enjoying our surroundings and each other’s company. Mindful walks, especially in the early morning when the neighborhood is a little quieter (well, as quiet as NYC gets), have a way of stimulating all the senses. I find that they lift my spirits for the day ahead, too.

My new CALIA by Carrie Underwood Lumia collection rose gold leggings and top are perfect for walking around the neighborhood, and I always get a few compliments on them along the way. If I have time to squeeze in a morning yoga class, I can wear them there, too, since they’re super sweat-wicking. But on days when my routine is shaken up with early events or meetings, I can count on CALIA by Carrie Underwood for versatile and comfy apparel options that work for any occasion.