If you are around my age, you are familiar with this song and know the outcome will be feeling groovy…so let’s make the moment last!
I have designated 2025 as my “Taking It Slow in the Morning” year. I have discovered incredible joy in waking up at a specific time, practicing gentle yoga, meditating, journaling, and enjoying a superb cup of organic “medicinal” coffee. I have perfected this coffee recipe. With a sprinkle of cardamom, a dash of cinnamon, coconut oil (or ghee), almond milk, and agave, it’s the most delicious way to start my day! The ritual of making my coffee is just as satisfying as drinking it—the aroma of the coffee beans and adding the ghee or coconut oil at just the right moment enhances the experience. I have even started adding chocolate collagen powder, which gives the coffee a nice creamy texture and makes it almost decadent.
Finding time for myself in the morning has been a game changer for calming my nervous system before the day’s busyness begins. It’s my moment to be mindful and to focus on “being where my feet are.” Sitting quietly, contemplating the day, and even daydreaming is the perfect way to start. Beginning the morning with a strong foundation—doing things I love that bring me joy—helps align my body, mind, and spirit. It’s truly a gift.
These simple yet effective tools can help set your nervous system on the right path. If you find yourself not fully present during your day and are constantly rushing to finish one task before moving on to another, your nervous system will likely remain unbalanced. The fascinating aspect of the nervous system, particularly the sympathetic nervous system, is that it cannot distinguish between a life-threatening situation—like being chased by a bear—and the everyday stress of being late to pick up your kids or project deadlines. Regulating your nervous system can help you manage stress and face daily challenges more effectively. It promotes better emotional regulation, enhances cognitive functions like focus, memory, and attention, and strengthens the immune system. Additionally, it fosters stronger connections with others, improves overall health by reducing chronic pain and inflammation, decreases anxiety, and boosts energy levels.
The Sympathetic Nervous System prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, redirecting blood flow to muscle groups, and dilating airways. This response enables the body and mind to enter a fight-or-flight mode. However, our society—characterized by a constant barrage of media, workplace demands, children’s needs, and the responsibilities of caring for elderly parents—keeps us in this heightened state much longer than is healthy. This prolonged activation can lead to high blood pressure, elevated stress hormones, and reduced immune function. We are simply not meant to remain in a sympathetic nervous system state for extended periods. We are looking to counterbalance this with relaxation and recovery which is found as the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
So start your day with a short walk, cut fresh flowers for your office or home, dance to your favorite song, read an inspirational passage, journal, stretch, or try a few yoga poses, and practice breathing exercises for grounding and centering. Your mind, body, and overall health will thank you again and again.
With love and health,
Danielle Sangita
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