Mental Health

Noah Centineo Shares Morning Routing on #TakeABreak IGTV Episode

It includes coffee, journaling, and, uhm, bathroom time. 

During a time when everything seems out of control, Noah Centineo is reminding us that there are things in our lives that we do have power over. In an episode of the new IGTV series #TakeABreak, Noah walks us through the morning routine that makes him feel empowered.

As we're all practicing social distancing and isolation, maintaining a routine can be hard. Without the structure of work or school as we usually have it, the days can feel like they're bleeding together. Additionally, the mental health toll of isolation is real, as is the fear that the coronavirus pandemic has caused. In order to start your day in a positive mental space, Noah recommends sticking to a morning routine.

"I find that adding structure to your life is something that can help you stay organized and uplifted and stay empowered, because we cannot control a lot of things happening right now," Noah said during the IGTV episode. "But what we can control is our morning routine."

Noah says having a morning routine has helped him through times when he's felt "hopeless and powerless."

Controlling what you can is a key part of coping with anxiety surrounding coronavirus, Ariella Silver, PsyD, director of the Psychology Training Program at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, previously told Teen Vogue. "Any time you're anxious, I encourage that [you] find your axis of control," she previously told Teen Vogue.

So, what exactly is Noah's morning routine? He walks us through it in the episode.

First, Noah said he wakes up and drinks a glass of water. Before bed, he said he makes sure to leave a glass of water out so he can have access to it first thing. Then, Noah makes his bed because "if I didn't do anything else today, I made my bed." The small act can provide a sense of achievement. After his bed is properly made, Noah kisses his mother good morning. He recommends you show affection toward a loved one first thing, too.

Next comes the really important stuff: coffee. With a hot mug of coffee in hand, Noah then writes in his journal.

"Journaling is amazing. A great way to get thoughts down on paper. Sometimes you might think something and you might be afraid," Noah said. "And then you write it down and you realize, 'Oh my God, no, it's not even how I really feel.' So I love journaling."

Journaling can be a powerful tool to improve your mental health. It's a way of reflecting and, as Noah said, viewing your thoughts from a distance so you can better understand them. You can even try starting a gratitude journal, which research has shown can help you feel less depressed, sleep better, and feel happier.

Noah's next step in his morning routine is a byproduct of the coffee: it's bathroom time. After the bathroom, enough time has passed that Noah has to reheat his coffee. He then recommends finishing your coffee somewhere relaxing — outside if you can, or sitting by a window to get some sunlight. Once his coffee is completely done, Noah brushes his teeth.

"And that is the end of the beginning of your day," he says.

Of course, your routine doesn't need to look like Noah's to be helpful. Whether it's a quick routine of brushing your teeth and taking five minutes to meditate, or a longer routine that includes journaling, yoga, or another mental health activity, what counts is that you're taking a few moments for yourself. Noah is right: Those few minutes in the morning can set the tone of your day, and it's important during this tough time that we do as much as we can for ourselves.

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