Reclaim Your Morning

The alarm goes off. School lunches need packing. Someone can't find their backpack. The day launches you forward before you've even had a chance to breathe.

Sound familiar?

September brings a beautiful opportunity to pause and reset—even amid the swirl of new routines, drop-off lines, and calendars that fill up faster than we can process.

This month, we're focusing on energy practices that help you and your family start the school year feeling grounded, clear, and emotionally supported. Each week, you'll receive tools, practices, and reflections to:

• Reclaim your morning energy

• Build sustainable rhythms

• Regulate stress and sleep

• Recenter your focus and priorities

Let's begin at the foundation—with your mornings.

Why Your Morning Energy Matters More Than You Think

How you start your day shapes how you carry yourself through it. It's not just about having a to-do list or the right breakfast—it's about what energetic tone you're setting before you even get out the door.

Mornings can be chaotic, especially for moms. But even 2-5 minutes of grounding can help reduce that reactive, rushed energy that builds up over time.

Energetically, mornings are the perfect time to:

• Clear out lingering emotional clutter from the day before

• Reset your nervous system with simple breath and movement

• Choose how you want to feel and focus

• Stay connected to yourself before the world makes demands on you

💡 Reality Check

New to morning routines or feeling like you "should" be doing more? Start with literally 60 seconds. One deep breath. One gentle stretch. One moment of quiet before the day begins. That's it. You're not behind, and there's no perfect way to do this. Your morning practice can grow as you do.

Grounded Kids, Grounded Mornings

Kids pick up on your energy. When you're rushed or scattered, it often shows up in their behavior too—especially during transitions like getting dressed, eating, or heading out the door.

Try these kid-friendly morning energy resets:

• Breath & Touch: One hand on heart, one on belly. Breathe in together for 4, hold 2, exhale for 6. Even one round can bring calm.

• Shake & Wiggle: Release tension with 20-30 seconds of silly movement. Laughter helps ground energy too!

• Morning Intentions: Invite your child to set an intention like "Be kind" or "Feel brave"—or offer one if they're young.

These rituals don't have to be perfect or polished—the consistency and connection are what matter.

Getting Everyone On Board

When you start changing your morning energy, family members might notice—and not always love it at first. Kids especially can resist new routines, even good ones.

Try this approach:

• Start solo for a few days - Let them see you calmer and more present before introducing changes for them

• Invite, don't demand - "Want to try some deep breaths with me?" works better than "We're all doing breathing exercises now"

• Make it fun, not serious - Morning wiggles and silly stretches get better buy-in than formal practices

Partner Conversation Starter: "I'm trying something new in the mornings to help me feel more grounded before the day gets crazy. It's just a few minutes, but I think it might help our whole morning flow better."

Mini Practice: Rhythmic Eights

Purpose: Reintegrate left/right brain, calm the nervous system, and reestablish mental clarity and balance.

When To Do It: First thing in the morning (perfect while your coffee brews), before opening your calendar, or any time you feel scattered.

How To:

1. Stand or sit comfortably

2. Using your index finger or whole arm, begin tracing a figure 8 (infinity symbol) in the air, starting in front of your forehead and expanding outward

3. Let your eyes follow the motion

4. Trace several 8s horizontally, then vertically, then diagonally—across your body

5. Breathe steadily and slowly

Even 1-2 minutes helps reconnect your body and mind and supports clearer thinking for the rest of the day.

Journal Prompt

What energy do I want to lead with in the mornings? What helps me feel anchored, even when life is moving fast?

Affirmation of the Week

I ground myself before the day begins, and move through the morning with calm and clarity.

Back-to-School Energy Toolkit

This comprehensive toolkit contains all four weekly practices plus bonus grounding techniques specifically designed for kids. The practices are simple, evidence-based, and adaptable to your unique needs. Remember: Progress over perfection. Connection over compliance. Your calm energy is the foundation for your family's wellbeing. Download the Back to School Toolkit