Most mornings, I wake up with a headache or a migraine.
This has been my normal for a few years now, thanks to an accident that changed my body in ways I did not request or consent to.

Some mornings are better than others.
Some mornings come with bonus joint and nerve pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia. And some mornings require deep breathing negotiations before I can even sit up.

But I also have two little humans to care for. They need to get to school. I need to get to work. So here we are.

Before you worry, let me say this. It is all good compared to a few years ago. I am not where I want to be yet, but I am definitely not where I was. There is growth happening. There is healing happening. Progress counts, even when it is quiet.

I share this because we all have different reasons for wanting to get out of bed.
And we also all have very valid reasons for wanting to stay in it. Some days are genuinely hard.

For me, what helps is not motivation. It is systems. Morning systems, specifically.

And no, I am not going to say these systems are simple or easy. They are simple to me because I built them around my life, my health, and my capacity. For someone else with different challenges or disabilities, these same things might feel impossible. And that is okay.

This is just what works for me.

Gratitude Before Gravity

Before my feet touch the floor, I start with gratitude.

I express gratitude for being able to fall asleep and for waking up.

There is more to my prayer and gratitude practice than that, but we will keep it there for now. Some mornings, that is all I can manage, and honestly, that still counts.

Brush Teeth. Turn on Kettle. Non-Negotiable.

Once I can get out of bed, I brush my teeth.
Then the kettle goes on.

The kettle is not optional. Tea is the priority.

I rotate between different herbal teas and green teas, but one thing never changes. Cloves.

Most mornings, it is one of these:

• Green tea
• Hibiscus tea
• Pomegranate tea

A little secret: my mom is the inspiration behind the cloves. She adds them to her moringa and hibiscus tea every day, and I’ve picked up the habit from her. Beyond being comforting, cloves are packed with health benefits, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, and especially supportive for women’s wellness. Knowing this makes the ritual feel not only nurturing but also practical for my health.

This part matters to me because of how tea makes me feel. Calm. Grounded. Supported. It does not fix everything, but it works for me without fail. On the hardest mornings, this is the one thing I know I can do and will always help, even just a little.

If tea is your thing, I’ve linked the teas I use regularly, plus a simple tea infuser option in case you don’t already have one. No pressure, no magic promises. Just tools that support my mornings and might support yours too.

How Hot Should the Water Be?

This comes up a lot, so let us talk about it.

I do not drink my tea or hot water boiling hot. Especially with migraines and nerve pain, that is a hard no. I aim for comfortably hot.

Hot enough to feel soothing.
Warm enough to relax my body.
Cool enough that I can sip without flinching or questioning my life choices.

If the first sip makes you tense up, it is too hot.
If it feels calming and grounding, you are right where you need to be.

Some mornings, I do not even make tea. I just sip fairly hot water infused with cloves. Simple. Gentle. Effective.

Tea While Parenting at Speed

While the kettle is on, I pack school lunches and double-check backpacks.
Then I go wake up my littles.

Some days, I do not actually drink my tea until they are already out the door. Other days, I sip it standing in the kitchen while waiting for them to find gloves, hats, or the one specific item they suddenly need to delay leaving.

The goal is not a calm, aesthetic morning.

The goal is that tea is woven into the chaos.

Tea as Care, Comfort, and Hospitality

Tea has become more than a morning drink for me. It is care. It is comfort. It is grounding.

It is also the one thing I always offer anyone who visits me. Before coffee, before conversation, before anything else. “Would you like some tea?” is my default.

My tea infuser was actually a gift from a friend, which makes the ritual even more special. That said, you can find good infusers at most local stores or online. I’ve have linked the tea I use regularly and a different infuser option if you want to try something similar for yourself.

Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. Just something supportive.

Why This Morning Tea Ritual Works for Me

This tea ritual is one of my systems.
One of the ways I meet myself where I am.

Green tea for gentle energy.
Cloves for warmth and comfort.
Ginger when inflammation is loud.
Hibiscus or pomegranate when I want something nourishing and grounding.

I do not start my day trying to fix my life.
I start it by supporting my body enough to participate in it.

And some days, that is more than enough.

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Disclosure

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through them. I only share products I genuinely use, love, or would recommend.

Also, this blog post reflects my personal experience. Nothing here is intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or consultation. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional if you have questions about your health or using herbs like cloves.