First Things First: How to Create a Non-Toxic Morning Routine There may be no better time of day to devote some undivided attention to ourselves than first thing in the morning. Before our attention is stolen by an infinite number of big/little interruptions, responsibilities, and tasks, we get this chance to gently unfold our day just how we like it. We can give it softer edges, starting slow and steady - with real intentionality - rather than bursting out of the gates, full speed ahead. In this article, we’re sharing all about how to create a non-toxic morning routine that will get your day started in a clean, healthy way. With clean, superfood-powered products to help you start your day on the right foot, umanos definitely has you covered in the shower. But there’s more to a morning routine than the products we use, right? Right. We love the idea of building a calming, cleansing routine in the morning that nourishes us inside and out, addressing our minds, bodies, and souls. Here, we’re dishing up some of our best tips and tricks for establishing and maintaining a non-toxic morning routine that can uplift and carry you through your busiest days. What does “non-toxic” mean? “Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ such as the liver.” - Wikipedia That said, the definition of the term “toxicity” can apply to more than just what goes in or on our bodies. We can (and do) tend to stretch the notion of poisonous things past the chemical level and into other, less tangible spaces that make up our days. What we listen to, look at, and even think about can affect us in ways just as deep as the foods we eat and products we use. Just because you can’t literally reach out and touch them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there, having their way with everything from our stress and anxiety levels, to our fatigue and sense of peace and balance. We thought we’d dedicate this article to sharing a few of our best practices for cultivating and sustaining a non toxic morning routine that will reap rewards all day long. Setting Intentions for the Day For starters? We’re clearly big fans of journaling, and cannot recommend the practice enough. Whether you do it right from your cozy bed, or prefer to rise and write from a quiet corner (with coffee), the simple act of putting down some basic thoughts - with actual pen and paper - can be hugely rewarding. This simply centering activity helps to begin your day with a good dose of stillness, thoughtful reflection, and intentionality. Embracing the idea of a “toxin free” mind as you begin the day is a sound approach to a clean morning routine if ever there was one. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s tough to find those things as the days carry on. So, morning pages are a great way to capture them and carry them through our daily lives. Journal Ideas for Morning Pages Write from a place of gratitude. By penning a few things that you’re grateful for in the moment, you set your day on a track of positivity and appreciation. “Practicing gratitude at work and home benefits those around you and is a “gateway drug” to better personal mental health.” Read more about the proven benefits of gratitude practices here. A to-do list never hurts. It may not sound like much, but mapping out your plans for the day ahead, in a way that you can reference as needed, can center your mind and offer a sense of empowerment as you start your day. Also? Try adding in a few self-care oriented “task” to ensure you’re not forgetting to take care of yourself. Create a short-form diary.Maybe the idea of writing page after page of your inner thoughts first thing in the morning doesn’t do it for you. We get it. But, you can reap similarly positive benefits by adopting a short form approach to your journaling. Try writing no more than three sentences about what you accomplished the day prior, and what you aim to accomplish that day. This way, you’re taking stock of the past while looking toward the future. The key is maintaining a tone of positivity as you write, as that will set your day on the right track both mentally and emotionally. Avoid Screens We know, we know. The 8-hour fast from our phones as we sleep can instill an immediate desire and almost addictive need to reach for the phones as soon as we wake up. But enough cannot be said about how beneficial it is to refrain - to strike down that urge - and give yourself time to wake up slowly. We don’t need to invite the whole wide world back into our ether right away - it can and will wait, every time. “Social media and smartphones have been around for less than 20 years and the impacts they have on humans are still being discovered. Recent studies have uncovered that people can develop addictive behaviors with smartphones and social media, including thinking about the device or platform constantly and craving using it, using their smartphone or social media apps to cope or modify their mood, and experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when they are unable to access their phone or apps. If these behaviors progress to interfere with everyday life, it is cause for concern.” - Reid Health The highly addictive nature of social media and screen usage most certainly qualifies as a toxicity that we should work to eliminate as best we can. By waiting for a certain amount of time (you get to decide this) in the morning before introducing these things into your day, you take a stand against the addictive and toxic properties of your electronic devices, remaining in control. A non-toxic morning routine is almost impossible to craft when screens are in the mix. Our best tip? Keep your phone on airplane mode or stored in a drawer while you enjoy a slow, steady start to your day. Routine Clean When it comes to the things you actually are putting on your body in the morning, umanos has you covered. Our original, custom blend of marine-derived ingredients was created to ensure that you get squeaky clean with nary a toxin in sight. From our 100% natural fragrance blend to our moisturizers and everything in between, each thing that goes into our premium, luxury shower and bath care products was chosen carefully, and with great purpose. So, shower easy friend. When it comes to a non-toxic morning shower ritual - we’ve got you totally covered. Okay, But What Happens When I Get Out of the Shower? A great place to start, when it comes to a non-toxic morning routine, is to take stock of what products you’re currently using and try to understand where they’re coming from and who they’re coming from, along with the “why’s” and “what’s” involved. Which is to say, it’s a good idea to get to know these everyday products as best you can. Do your research, and become an informed consumer. Knowledge is power and by better understanding the ingredients in and missions behind the beauty and body care brands you use, you can really evaluate which things to change out, and which things are safe to keep. Here are a few of our favorite non-toxic /low impact resources: Low Tox Pharmacist Remodelista's: The Low Impact Home Environmental Working Group: Toxic Free Future If you found this article interesting, you might also enjoy: The Dirty Dozen: 12 Ingredients We Avoid in Our Products Four Conscious Choices for a Cleaner, Greener Routine Benefits of Seaweed for Your Skin Shop umanos clean and sustainable hair and bodycare products.
