I’m one of those people who wants so badly to be a morning person – up at 5am to hit the gym before work, make a healthy breakfast, do a morning meditation and be ready to conquer the day. In reality, I am the person who will wait until the very last minute to get out of bed, leaving just enough time to shower, get ready and get to work by nine. Maybe someday I’ll have the morning routine I so desperately want, but until then, I’ve figured out a way to start my day mindfully – and for the most part – from bed.

Do you find yourself in the same situation – rushing from the minute you wake up with little time for yourself? If so, here are five things you can do within the first few minutes of waking up to start your day off right.

1. Practice gratitude. The very first thing I do when I wake up is think of five things I’m grateful for. I started doing this after reading The Magic by Rhonda Byrne. In the book, Byrne suggests writing down 10 things you are grateful for each morning and why you are grateful for them. I did this for a bit, but found it to be so time-consuming that I didn’t get to it each day, let alone each morning. I’ve found that making a shorter list in my head works just as well for getting in the right mindset.

2. Jot down your dreams. This is something that I recently started doing. If I’ve had particularly vivid dreams – ones I think might mean something – I jot down a few words in my iPhone’s Notes app. No need to get elaborate if you are trying to keep this morning routine to just a few minutes. But as you grow spiritually and further develop your intuition, it’s fun to look back and see why you may have had certain dreams.

I recently dreamt of a friend’s deceased mom. In the dream, she told me that her daughter needed help. Even though it had been a couple years since we last spoke, I reached out to her that week to tell her about my dream. She was not the least bit surprised by my random message, as she had just prayed to her mom to help her reconnect with her friends that she’d lost touch with. You just never know what your dreams might be telling you, and once you start your day, you may forget them – so jot down quick notes about any dreams that you recall.

3. Read an inspirational message. When visiting my cousin in California years ago, I overheard him reading daily affirmations each morning. At the time, I thought he was nuts. But now I realize that he was onto something. Starting your day with an affirmation or another form of spiritual guidance helps put you in a positive mindset.

My co-worker recently told me about Notes from the Universe, a daily email that arrives before you get up each morning with an encouraging message. The notes are personalized based on a couple of questions you answer when you sign up for the free service. This is the first email I read every morning because they are almost always exactly what I need.

Another co-worker (it’s nice working with like-minded people!) also turned me onto the text service Shine, which sends you daily motivational text messages. So I start each morning with my Note from the Universe, then I get my Shine text on the way to work. As I’m waiting for my computer to boot up, I pull an angel card or a card from Gabby Bernstein’s Miracles Now deck. I prop the card up on my computer so I can see its message all day (today’s: “I can find peace in every breath.”).

4. Set your intention for the day. Speaking of Gabby Bernstein...in her new book, The Universe Has Your Back, Bernstein reminds us that “energy flows where your intention goes.” I love this so much, especially since Moonlight + Sage was created to help people live from a place of intent, rather than simply go through the motions each day. Bernstein writes:

Each thought we have creates an energy flow within and around our physical body. This energy attracts its likeness. When you think high-level thoughts, you exude an energy of confidence and in turn attract great experiences into your life. In other words, each thought you have informs your energy, and your energy manifests into your experiences – thus, your thoughts and your energy create your reality.

So each morning, before my feet hit the floor, I set my intention for the day. In order to do this, make sure your intention has a positive tone and keep it focused on the short-term. What positive experience will you have today? (I usually think about this again just before leaving for work when I decide which crystal I’m going to carry with me that day, as it is typically one that supports my intention.) 

5. Hydrate. Admittedly, this is an area where I need to improve, as I rarely drink the recommended amount of water I should each day. But my healer recently advised that I start drinking water as soon as I wake up, as it fires up your metabolism, hydrates you after a long night’s sleep, helps your body flush out toxins and gives your brain fuel for the day ahead.

Maybe one day I’ll have the “perfect” morning routine. Until then, I’ll take those first five minutes.

Tell us about your morning ritual in the comments section below!