Each morning is a new beginning, an opportunity to set the tone for the day ahead of you. As Henry David Thoreau once said, “An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” Setting aside some time to take things slowly in the morning hours can fuel you for the rest of the day, giving you the will power to deal with all of the challenges and burdens that naturally crop up. With time to quiet down and reflect, we regroup and recalibrate, leading to higher quality work and a clear mind. We’ve singled out four essential components to a restorative morning, which–if incorporated into your routine–can revamp your whole day.
The Shave
Old-fashioned wet shaving practises afforded men time to relax and savour a soothing spa-like experience in the comfort of their own bathrooms. The wet shaver prepares with a hot soaked towel, heated shaving soap in a scuttle, a shaving brush, and a traditional double-edged razor or straight razor. This elaborate routine leaves men not only with smoother skin, but also a calm mindset to begin the day with. Being forced to slow down and move carefully leads to better end results and a settled mind.
We Recommend:
Merkur’s Progress Long Handle Adjustable Safety Razor
Thiers Issard’s La Legende Straight Razor Phoenix Cygogne
Junichi Tanacha’s Artisanal Shaving Scuttle
The Coffee
Many of us count on a cup of joe to jumpstart our day, and almost just as many of us have become champion coffee chuggers, goaded by the mad rush to work. Starting your morning with a brewing ritual can embellish your experience, and using your own hands and equipment can make a creative enterprise of it.
We Recommend:
Pourover Coffee: You’ll need freshly ground beans, boiling water, a filter, and a pour over holder.
The Exercise Routine
Though it might seem like the last thing you want to do after waking up, there’s no denying that some exercise—be it walking the dog, jogging, or cycling—can give you just the jolt you need to prepare for the day ahead. It may be counterintuitive, but energy expenditure first thing in the morning can leave you feeling supercharged for the rest of the day.
We Recommend:
A walk in the woods: spending time amongst the flora and fauna is a known panacea.
The Reading
With all the time we spend looking at screens, typing on our laptops, tablets, and smart phones, turning our gaze to an old-fashioned piece of paper can be a great relief. We process text on a page differently than we do information on a screen, and a single book frees us from the infinite distractions present on our electronic devices. Set aside some time for reading your favourite fiction or newspaper: it’ll sharpen your mind and stimulate your creative powers.
We Recommend:
Patience, by Daniel Clowes
As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner
The Birth of Tragedy, by Frederich Nietzsche
