The sensation of sipping your first cup of coffee in the morning, before being assaulted with the distractions of your cell phone, your kids, and all the responsibilities of your day ahead is indescribable. This period of bio-feedback is often overlooked, although it is truly essential.
Many of us drink our cup of joe mindlessly, as we are busy scrolling through our devices and checking for updates before ever putting our lips to the glass. What if we took a moment to completely detach from the outside world for a couple of minutes and find calmness and focus prior to starting our day?
Start with Better Coffee
If you’re used to quickly consuming your first cup of coffee in the morning without much thought or flavor, you may want to take time to consider what you’re putting in your body. Coffee quality, whether it was purchased, or made, is not the most critical factor. What is the most important is the water you used to brew the coffee and whether you had a clean filter to use and the best beans or ground coffee to prepare your coffee – the experience of drinking coffee varies greatly.
The taste of coffee will be better, based on the preparation method. Therefore, taking the time to experience and appreciate the coffee that you drink will help shape your perception of the benefits of drinking coffee to your first cup of coffee each day.
When you filter your coffee using a pour-over, filter machine, or French press, it will provide you with a much more enjoyable taste than if you used an instant coffee product. The preparation of coffee has also been referred to as “meditation.” And your 15 minutes of preparation in the morning will allow you to create a coffee experience worthy of your time and consideration.
Step Away from the Screen
It can be more challenging than it appears! Most people instinctively reach for their phones first thing when they wake up. Most people are already putting their brains into reactive mode before even having time to relax by checking their texts or emails while drinking their morning coffee.
Try putting away your phone for ten minutes right after you wake up. Instead of checking up on your device while drinking your coffee, sit at a window and enjoy the view of your garden or listen to your house waking up around you. While it may seem like an easy task, these ten minutes without the distraction of a screen will give your mind an opportunity to wake up fully so that you can start your day out by not rushing into it.
Pair It with Something Intentional
Thousands of individuals have discovered the benefits of writing at the beginning of a day while they enjoy a cup of coffee each morning. Some people will write down a couple of lines about the way they are feeling that day; others use this time to read books that they have wanted to read but had difficulty finding time for. For others, it is simply a time where they can sit quietly and think about things.
There is no correct way to use your coffee time. The primary thing to stay in mind is that your coffee time is YOUR time. You should not use your coffee time to do productive things that can be accomplished over a cup of coffee; your coffee time needs to be your coffee time set aside for just relaxing and having enjoying a cup of coffee.
The Real Value of the Ritual
Your morning cup of coffee serves as an anchor after your morning routine each morning due to the consistency in where you drink it and when you drink it (in a quiet space). After drinking your morning coffee on an ongoing basis, your brain has learned to associate that same drink with calmness and being ready for your day. You will find that just brewing coffee will elevate your mood over time.
Good filtered coffee contributes to this experience by sending a message through all of your senses when you drink coffee (the smell, taste, and warmth of holding a cup of coffee in your hand). All of these together tell your body this is a legitimate moment to enjoy.
A coffee break would be perceived simply as “a break,” however by taking advantage of this opportunity to take care of yourself, you will find that this is a unique opportunity (protect it!). Start off every morning by treating yourself the way you want (even just 10 minutes), and the positive effect will be astonishing.
