Dr. Roshini Raj
Dr. Roshini Raj is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist, and an attending physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU School of Medicine. A frequent television contributor, Roshini is also the co-founder of the TULA skincare line. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two kids.
What is your morning routine?
I typically wake up at 6:30am, apply my TULA Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum, then have breakfast with my kids before showering. After that, I either head to the television studio or to my office for work.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
I’ve kept up with this morning routine for years - I find that sticking to a consistent wakeup time makes me sleep better overall. The days of sleeping in are long gone!
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Being a working mom has taught me to be extremely organized and to manage my time effectively, so you could say my morning routine is more efficient than it was when my children were still young and I was trying to figure out how to balance it all. I have learned the importance of asking for help and trusting in my team at work, and my husband.
What time do you go to sleep?
I try to go to bed by 10:00pm at the latest. I take at least half an hour to wind down with no electronics before bed. I love mystery novels and find it soothing to read for a bit before going to sleep.
Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?
Before I go to sleep I think about what I have to do the next day, and mentally choose what I’m going to wear so that I’m not scrambling the next morning.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
Yes, I use an alarm and I never hit the snooze button. I like uninterrupted sleep - once I’m up, I’m up.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
I start my day by drinking a large glass of water, then within 10 minutes of waking I eat yogurt with flaxseed powder and mixed berries, which gives me a dose of probiotics, omega-3’s, and antioxidants.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body in balance. To avoid stress, I have identified a workout routine that fits into my lifestyle. I walk to and from my office each day, which gives me half an hour of cardio. In addition, either in the morning or evening, I do crunches and other ab exercises at the gym in my building, followed by 40 minutes on the elliptical machine.
Do you have a morning meditation routine?
I think it’s important to mediate. As a working mom, my mantra is quite simple: ask for help, don’t put it on yourself to do everything, and, most importantly, find ways to stay balanced. I stay balanced by meditating daily - usually at night. I use the Simply Being app, which offers guided meditations for relaxation. All you need is a short period of time to meditate and your health will reap the benefits both instantaneously, and over time.
Do you answer email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I try to respond to emails as soon as I see them. Otherwise, they get pushed down further in my inbox, and then it can be difficult to catch up.
Do you use any apps or products to enhance your sleep or morning routine?
The Simply Being app, as mentioned above. I’m also on the board of advisors for an app called Lose It!, which allows you to snap pictures and will instantly tell you the nutritional value and calorie intake of a certain item. Lose It! encourages me to eat healthily throughout the day, especially in the morning.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
I keep my phone in the bathroom (not the bedroom!) so as soon as I wake up I usually go to the bathroom and check my phone.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
It’s important for me to eat breakfast with my two sons. They are growing up way too fast!
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
I drink a large glass of water to jumpstart my metabolism and hydrate my body in the morning.
How does your partner fit into your morning routine?
My husband, Vivek, is an amazing partner. He helps me get the kids ready for school in the morning - it is nice to have some family time - though I must admit it usually feels a bit rushed in the morning regardless.
Do you also follow this routine on weekends, or do you change some steps?
I don’t usually sleep in, but I sometimes take naps in the afternoon. Otherwise the routine is fairly similar.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
When I’m staying away from home I remove all distracting devices such as my laptop, phone, and any flashing lights from alarm clocks from the room. Electronics have a direct correlation with us having lighter and more interrupted sleep.
What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
I always feel a little “off” if I skip breakfast or wake up earlier or later than my usual routine. But exercising and eating healthy throughout the day helps get me back on track.
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