Written by Erica, Founder & CEO, Heart and Mind Center of Elizabeth

Becoming a morning person was probably the biggest shift toward happiness that I’ve ever done in my life. Before it would take an early flight, a steaming cup of coffee, or internal dialogue listing the steps I needed to take to physically get out of bed, in order to actually do so. Lift my back, swivel to the right, place feet on ground, stand, walk to the bathroom.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still sometimes hard to get out of bed, but now my new routine includes listing 3 things I’m grateful as soon as I open my eyes. Today it was my bed, my computer, and my boyfriend. After that, I reach for my phone and open my go-to meditation app, InsightTimer. Trying really hard not to check social media, I choose a morning meditation and if I have energy I sit up on my bed in indian style position, cover my legs with my comforter, sit on a throw pillow, and press play. If I don’t have the energy to do that, I lay in bed and listen. 

Tips for Meditation Beginners

• Don’t be judgmental of yourself if your mind wanders, it’s impossible to stop thinking
• Remember your breath and breathe in when you realize your mind is wandering
• Keep trying every morning and forgive yourself when you forget or have little energy
• You don’t have to close your eyes to meditate, staring at a fixed object or objects is okay too

These next five meditations on InsightTimer were the perfect start to my day.

• Morning Peace & Grace
• Morning Meditation for Energy & Clarity
• Morning Meditation with Johnathan Lehman
• Awakening Your Joy
• Grateful Mind, Happy Mind

Not only can meditation help you have a good day, meditating can also support our immunological health. There is something called the vagus nerve which runs from your brain to your gut. Research shows that sitting in meditation, usually with the help of an audio or in-person guide, activates your vagus nerve which, among many things, regulates your immune system and your stress hormones

There are so many things happening in the world and scrolling through social media first thing in the morning can sometimes make things worse. Establishing a morning routine that includes a 5-10 minute meditation can be life changing. Experts recommend meditating twice a day, but if you do it one day out of the week you are already doing something extraordinary for your heart and mind. 

Follow @heartmindelizabeth on Instagram for weekly meditation groups, online.