While I am no health or wellness expert, I have done a fair amount of research and experimenting over the years on nailing down a morning routine that works for me. When I volunteered to write this article, the country was pre-pandemic. When COVID-19 hit in full force here in the United States in March, I seriously considered taking another view of how this article should be written. And while our world has undoubtedly changed in so many ways since March, this morning routine has been a source of comfort to me during these times. As such, I share it with you, in the hopes that perhaps you may find a similar satisfaction. I recognize that this may not be possible for everyone in all stages of their lives, nevertheless, it has worked for me for the last several years. So, in addition to the standard advice of eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise, I commend to you coffee, meditation and perspective.

• Coffee!

Yes, I know, it is no secret that coffee is the key to many people finding the energy to get out of bed in the morning, particularly in these stressful times. And while not everyone may love coffee as much as I do, it is not really about that deliciously warm beverage (or cold brew during those hot summer months)—it is about the routine. Like so many other attorneys I know, I find comfort in a routine, especially in a time of upheaval. A few years ago, my husband insisted on buying an espresso/latte maker. I pushed back, telling him it would be just one more kitchen gadget that ended up in our already overly crowded attic, to collect dust and to be donated to charity in a few years. As it turns out, I was very wrong (he is unlikely to read this article, so let's keep that admission between us). It was not really about the coffee, although the machine makes some truly delicious lattes. It was about the routine, the comfort of waking up in the morning, firing up the espresso maker, hearing its hum, and going through the motions. No matter what was going on, it was a constant. A reminder that "normalcy" was achievable, even when I was so stressed, I was not sure how I would make it through the day.