Wake Me Up: Morning Positivity - Morning Routine - Slow Down to Speed Up

Episode Date: March 14, 2022

This morning, we take some time to slow down to ensure we're putting our time and effort where it matters. Enjoying Wake Me Up? Get ad-free access to the entire WMU catalog + bonus content by joining the WMU Premium Feed. Sign up and start your 7-day free trial at https://wakemeup.supercast.com/. Follow the show on Spotify - Apple Podcasts - Podchaser Say hi or request an episode at www.wakemeuppodcast.com/contact. And find the podcast on Instagram and TikTok. **Only partake in the physical movements suggested in Wake Me Up episodes if you are physically able and in safe surroundings. All movements are done at the individual's own risk. Be safe, and always consult a doctor if you have any questions or concerns.** Have a wonderful day 😃 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you'd like to enjoy Wake Me Up completely ad-free and get access to exclusive bonus content, check out the link in the show notes for the Wake Me Up premium feed. Good morning and welcome to Wake Me Up, the podcast, Where Morning People Are Made. I'm Tyler, your host, and I'm so glad to have you here. It's safe to say that life moves fast these days. We all have our commitments, work, school, family, and on top of that, our health to take care of, the ongoings of the world to keep up with, and our own dreams to chase. It's easy to see how we can feel like we're on a treadmill,

just trying to keep up, but never actually getting anywhere. If that sounds like you, don't worry. You're not alone. I find that when I purposefully slow down and focus on the simpler, smaller things that I actually get more done. Maybe it's just perception, but that's what our experience of life is after all, a perception. When you focus on one single step, you'll see your progress. It's much harder to see growth day to day when you're looking towards the finish line. So today, we'll take some time to intentionally slow down. And let's start doing that right now, just by taking a few deep breaths. So wherever you are, inhale and fill your lungs completely.

Hold it at the top for just a second. And then exhale. Let it all go. Inhale once more, filling all the way into your belly. Hold it at the top. Exhale. Now, if you're still in bed, go ahead and roll over. and make your way to standing up. All right, now that we're all up and out of bed,

let's lean into today's theme with a nice easy stretch. We'll do it really slow. And you should only take part if you're able, and if you're in a safe space. If you want to do a different stretch, then by all means, go for it. If you're going to come with me, then we're going to do my favorite stretch.

We're going to do it really slow. So inhale and reach your hands to the sky. Reach, reach, reach. Really feel that stretch through your back and your shoulders. Reach the crown of your head towards the ceiling. And maybe you even stand up on the tips of your toes. Keep reaching. Like I said, we're going to do this really slow.

Breathe while you do this. All right. Now, if you're on your toes, lower your feet back down. And on your neck's exhale, fold forward at your waist. And let everything just hang towards the ground. Release your neck. Release your arms. Bend your right knee and straighten your left knee.

That will bring the stretch into the left side of your body. Remember to keep breathing while you do this. All right, let's switch sides now. So bend your left knee. knee and straighten your right. So you feel the stretch on your right leg. Return both of your knees to a neutral position and just sway very gently side to side. All right, come back to the center now.

Take a big inhale and roll up to standing very slowly, vertebrae by vertebrae. Once you reach a standing position, roll your shoulders up, back, back. and down. All right. Hopefully your body is a bit more awake and loose now. Let's go ahead and turn to our meditation for today. So make your way to a comfortable seat, anywhere in your home.

Just don't sit in your bed. And if you prefer to do this exercise in another way, walking outside or something like that, then you certainly can. There are no rules here. But I do recommend sitting with your, your eyes closed because that's just a more in-depth experience. And today, since we're slowing things down, that's what we're going to do in this meditation.

We'll slow our breath. This is actually a great thing to do if you find yourself worked up, stressed out, or anxious about something. But it's also really effective at drawing in your focus. So hopefully, you've found a nice comfortable seat now that's how. how you're going to do this. And let's all take one big breath in, and on your exhale, close your eyes.

Take a second just to get comfortable here. Relax your face, soften your jaw, and drop your shoulders. Tune in to the sensations of your body. Just take a quick scan and notice how everything's feeling. All we're going to do is breathe. And I'll count for you. So just follow my guidance.

We're going to inhale for four and then exhale for eight. And we'll repeat that for several minutes. So let's begin. Inhale. One, two, three, four. Exhale. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Inhale. One, two, three, four. Exhale. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Inhale, one, two, two, three, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Inhale, one, two, two, three, three, four.

Inhale, inhale and exhale. Keep that breath nice and smooth. Inhale. Filling all the way up and exhale. Inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, exhale. Exhale, deepest one yet. Inhale, exhale. One, two, three, four, five, six, six, six,

7, 8. Fantastic. Take a second just to relax and let your mind unwind. It's time to wrap up. So begin to bring yourself back to your body. Notice the chair beneath you and your feet on the floor. Give your fingers and toes a little wiggle. And let's take one last big breath in.

On your exhale, open your eyes, and just take a moment to come. collect yourself. There's a saying that Rome wasn't built in a day, and that's certainly true. Nothing of real lasting value or importance happens that fast. With the speed of life these days, it's easy to forget that. The world around us seems to be swirling so quickly. We think our lives should progress at the same pace, but that's not realistic. And honestly, do you really want your life to be as hectic and chaotic as the world around you? So slow down.

Stop trying to make giant leaps all at once. That's not how real lasting progress works. Real progress that isn't going to collapse on itself is slow. It's methodical. It has its ups and downs along the way. Try to focus on moving just one small step forward today. and whatever it is you're striving for. Pick one thing, focus on it, and really try to nail it.

Once you get that one thing down, you'll be ready to move on to the next step. And it may end up taking longer than you had hoped. But if you try to skip steps, you're just going to end up slipping, falling, and having to start all over. which means the time you're spending now will be a waste. So as you go through this day, try to remember to slow down. Make your effort worth its while. Because by slowing down right now

and the long term, you'll speed up. Well, that's all for today's episode. I really appreciate you tuning in and joining me here this morning. I'll talk to you soon. and until then, go out and have a fantastic day. I really hope you enjoyed this episode. A good morning is such a gift, isn't it? It's the key to a happier and more productive day

and ultimately a better life. And that's why I make this show. So if you're enjoying it, why not send one of your favorite episodes to a friend? You never know. You might just make their day. and change their life.