HABIT３ : Set Aside 15 minutes of morning quiet time

As we talked about in RULE 2, the morning sets the stage for the day.  Many individuals in recovery complain of lingering symptoms of anxiety and depression which have a tendency to disrupt a good morning routine.  Committing to 15 mins of quiet time in the morning is a great way to combat this.

A strong recommendation is to have a place in the house that will be free from noise and distractions where we can sit quietly.  Daily readers in recovery are readily available and a good way to get a directed, specific, and encouraging message immediately upon awakening to carry into the day.  For example, "24-hours A Day" is a book published by Hazelden Publishing, which we recommend and is a favorite among many who have established a regular morning routine.

Also, simply reading a few pages from your favorite book on recovery is a great way to start the day with optimistic thoughts and positive intentions.

Another great recommendation is five to ten minutes meditation.  Most people prefer to use headphones and stream a morning guided meditation online (e.g. YouTube). There is an endless list of great options depending upon your specific search (e.g. "10 minute guided morning meditation for positive intentions")

The time-honored and reliable way to get the body revved up in the morning is through exercise. Some like to do yoga first thing in the morning, some will go for a light jog. If it helps quiet your mind and set the stage for the day, it is a good thing :-)