It’s a new year! (F 2025, am I right?) While I have said it before, I am not big on New Year’s Resolutions. Because why limit ourselves to one goal for the entire year that we will inevitably lose motivation a few months in? I am however, big on starting the year off with being intentional; this goes for being intentional with how we spend our day and intentional about who we allow in our lives (but I’ll get into that on another post). Routines may seem boring, but let me tell you, I have been sleeping so well and feeling so good. My energy has significantly increased and my brain fog and irritability during the day have dramatically decreased. These are just a few of the perks I am experiencing since getting back into a regular regimen.
It didn’t really occur to me how slacking on my structured routine was effecting every aspect of my life. Stress, sleep, work, relationships, mental thoughts, and happiness are all directly impacted on these simple, yet powerful steps performed every single day. It was time to get back into a regular routine and my consistency these past several weeks has definitely paid off.
My Morning ☀️ Routine:
- Stretch: reactivates our muscles, prepares our bodies for movement, and wakes up our nervous system
- Drink Lemon Water: Read why I drink lemon water here
- Coffee + Breakfast: favorite meal of the day!
- Read Daily Affirmation + Journal: I recently received the five-minute journal as a Christmas gift. There is no better way to be intentional by starting your day with this! Journal Linked Here
- Vitamins: Most important recommendation: Vitamin D (especially for those of us living in the PNW and lacking sunshine in the winter)
- Make Bed: I once watched a video of a Navy Seal Admiral (William H. McRaven) giving a speech about the importance of making your bed every day and it stuck with me. He said, “Making your bed is the first small task you can accomplish each day, giving you a sense of pride, building momentum for other tasks, reinforcing that little things matter, and providing encouragement that tomorrow will be better, even after a miserable day.” Watch His Speech Here
My Evening 🌙 Routine:
- Skin Care Regimen: Nothing feels better than a clean face before bed (Osea + Sunday Riley have some of my favorite products)
- Diffuse Lavender + Red Lights: Lavender oil releases aromas that trigger relaxation signals in the brain, reducing stress and anxiety while promoting calmness, easing the nervous system, and improving sleep quality by creating a serene environment before bed. Two hours before my bedtime, my lights throughout my house turn red. Red light promotes relaxation and helps with the production of melatonin, signaling the body to wind down and align with its natural circadian rhythm. My Colored Light Bulbs Linked Here
- Cup of Tea: anything decaffeinated, but recently I’ve been loving the herbal rose teas
- Vitamins: Magnesium Glycinate before bed. Helps in supporting relaxation, sleep, nerve function, and mood, with benefits for stress relief.
- Read/Journal: Current favorite read, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
*Helpful Tips: Also setting a consistent bedtime, eliminating or minimal alcohol consumption, weekly face masks and baths, regular exercise, and monthly massages all help (I’m a regular at my local spa).
Getting back into a consistent routine has made me feel more alive and the best version of myself. I’m more balanced, more grounded, and less stressed. For those reading this, my hope is that you will find inspiration in my daily routines and rituals. Maybe you’ll even find yourself doing some of the same practices. More importantly, I hope you find something that works for you, a routine that leaves you feeling more at peace and ease with the daily stressors that life will continue to throw at us every single day!
xo Kyla
Kyla Benson 