5 Podcasts To Brighten Your Morning
By: Cherise Clough ‘24
Even though the semester is winding down, the stress is not. I don't know about you, but I often get overwhelmed by everything I do. My days can be so jam-packed with classes, homework, clubs, and work that I don't even reach home till midnight. Sometimes I dread the mornings because it means another long day where the cycle repeats. But I've been listening to these podcasts for like a year now (not consistently, though), and I find that they are a quick and easy way to make your day better. They make me feel like everything will be okay. Even if that sounds a little cliché, trust me, it's true. They've been helping to ease my anxious energy and calm my nerves. They even encourage me to be more loving to myself and more generous to others. The best part about it is that they are so short that you can listen to them whether you're still in bed, eating breakfast, washing your face, or even on your way to class. So without further ado, here are my top five podcasts to listen to in the morning on Spotify.
Wake Up/ Wind Down (US)
This is a short and calming podcast that always imparts some wise advice. For example, the most recent one I listened to spoke about not stressing about tomorrow because it robs you of today (a reminder I especially needed that day). Other times, there are themes like showing appreciation for the people in your life, learning how to navigate negative emotions, and so much more. Sometimes the episodes are as simple as reminding you of the little joys in life, such as feeling the sun's warmth or admiring the colors of flowers. I know these things seem very basic, but sometimes I really need that reminder. Whether that's to show more gratitude in my life or that it's okay not to have things figured out.
I tend to listen to this one first in the morning because the speaker has a soothing voice and always plays relaxing music in the background. It also helps me shake off any grogginess I might feel after waking up.
Another great thing is that he also does a Wind Down version to help you sleep at night. I swear to you, every time I've listened to it, it has knocked me right out— in a good way. One minute I'm listening to his gentle words, and then the next, I'm out like a light.
This podcast has new episodes every morning and evening. The lengths of each vary from four to ten minutes, but most of them I find are under ten. So I would definitely check this one out as a quick refresh for the mornings and a nice wind down for the evenings.
2. Yoga Girl Daily
I typically listen to this podcast after the first one because it's more energetic than the last one. The speaker, Rachel Brathen, also has a bright and caring voice that I adore. She uploads a new episode every morning on the weekdays, and her podcast also follows a theme for the week.
The most recent week I listened to was about learning how to deal with your inner critic by channeling your inner Best Friend. In other weeks, she has focused on the importance of sleep, organizing your space, spending time in nature, and daring yourself to do something outside your comfort zone. These are just examples of a few themes she has focused on in the past. But, what I really like about them is that she will mention little challenges that we can do to try and incorporate these themes into our daily life. This could be spending 30 minutes of uninterrupted time in nature or trying to go to bed at the same time each day. She will also do journaling prompts or guided breathing exercises throughout her episodes.
I love listening to this podcast because she will also mention the things going on in her life. For example, she'll say when she's feeling down or had a tough week which allows you to connect with her.
Listening to her always puts me in a better mood. Her episodes are always under ten minutes, so I recommend this podcast if you want a quick positive boost to start your day.
3. The Daily Shine
If I have a lot of time in the morning, I'll also listen to The Daily Shine. It's slightly longer than the others because they include meditation exercises in their episode and provide comforting advice. Some themes they cover are "Trusting Your Journey," "Show Yourself Love," "Build Your Small Habits," and "Find The Good in Today." I really enjoy this podcast because it always ends with a breathing exercise that calms down my nerves, especially when I may be feeling apprehensive about the long day ahead. There's a new episode every weekday, and they are all under 15 minutes. So if you want a podcast that will give you advice, a moment to check in on yourself, and a meditation exercise, then this is for you.
4. The Daily Refresh
This is another podcast I enjoy listening to because it gives you a daily quote for the day and then ends it with some guided breathing. It's only three minutes long, and there are new episodes every day (including the weekends!). To give you an example, the last one I listened to had the quote, "The question isn't who is going to let me; It's who is going to stop me," from Ayn Rand. I highly recommend this podcast if you want some inspiring BOSS energy to start your morning.
5. Libra Today
This quick three-minute podcast is for you if you're into zodiac signs. They have one for each of the signs, but as you can tell from mine, I'm a Libra (Go Libras!). There's a new episode every day that can help to inform your actions or goals. Based on the planetary movements and positions, they will impart advice and recommend steps you can take to better yourself. Whether that's you need to evaluate the relationships in your life or seize the opportunities right in front of you. Obviously, you can choose to listen and follow the advice or not. For instance, it once told me to establish an exercise routine, and that still hasn't happened. I don't listen to this one every day, but I like to hear what insights they offer.
All of these podcasts have helped to make my mornings less stressful and my days less overwhelming. I'm not going to lie and say I listen to all of these every single morning, but it is something that I do when I know I can't face the day ahead. They remind me to show gratitude, be kind to myself, and trust that "I got this!" I hope listening to either one of these will brighten your morning. So have a wonderful day, and remember, You got this too!
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