Many people swear by kickstarting their mornings early to get adequate time to themselves and set the tone for the day ahead. Priyanka Chopra's mother, Dr Madhu Chopra, too, shares a similar sentiment. Opening up about her morning routine, she said: "No matter what time I sleep, I wake up by 5.30 am. If I am lazy, I wake up by 6 am. The early morning quiet, the time for myself, I won't get that during the day. Then you see you have so many hours to yourself. So many hours for input and output. You rest, and you rust!" Speaking with actor Rubina Dilaik on her YouTube podcast, Dr Madhu Chopra added that typical mornings comprise breathing practices and planning the day. "I do pranayama and meditation on my bed. I do a little warm-up for 30-40 minutes. Then two hours I give myself—self-love time. I figure out the maintenance, plan for the entire day, my meetings, etc. I plan out everything and read books. I have my breakfast at 10 am and go to the office by 11 am. Starting early carries you through the day. Good sleep is essential. But laziness is not," said Dr Madhu, adding that the routine works for her, but for many others, it may not. "If your body is asking for more sleep, you sleep more. Don't kick yourself about it," added Dr Madhu. Reflecting on her routine, Dr Deepti Sinha, lead consultant, Dept of ENT, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, said that incorporating such mindful practices early in the morning can help set a positive tone for stress management, increasing resilience and focus throughout the day. "Mindful breathing is the simplest form of meditation. Starting with just a few minutes of breathing practices can make a noticeable difference in overall health and well-being," Dr Sinha told indianexpress.com. Experts urge that practicing nasal breathing exercises within 30 minutes of waking can significantly benefit the body and mind. Dr Sinha said that techniques like alternate nostril breathing and belly breathing promote a calm and focused start to your day. "Belly breathing engages the diaphragm, enhancing deep oxygenation and relaxation, while alternate nostril breathing balances the nervous system, reducing stress and improving mental clarity. These exercises strengthen lung capacity, support a steady heart rate, and prepare the body for the day’s challenges," said Dr Sinha. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
