If you’re the kind of person who likes to roll over the minute you hear the alarm and hit the snooze button, you might immediately be setting your day off on the wrong foot. If the first thoughts you have when you wake up are, “I wish I could just sleep more, I don’t want to go to work, I can’t get out of bed or keep my eyes open…” you might be setting yourself up for failure.
Thinking negative thoughts the moment you wake up is setting a negative pattern for your morning routine, which in turn can make your day negative. It is important to always remember that what you give out to the universe is what you receive. So instead of thinking to yourself that you feel too sleepy to do anything, and you just wish you had a few more hours of sleep, start the day off with a grateful thought. This could include thoughts like, “I’m so fortunate to wake up this morning.” Or “I am going to accomplish today.”
Immediately after you think these things, you should get up and start the day. You will feel so much better having a few extra minutes to get ready so you’re not rushed to work. Before you do anything, grab a glass of water and wake up your body by drinking it. By drinking water right when you wake up, you are fulfilling any lost fluids, detoxing your digestive track, waking up your mind and giving yourself energy. This is also a great weight loss technique and many people have found this helpful while trying to shed some pounds.
While you’re body is waking up and adjusting to the rhythms of the day, it is important to eat a nutrient rich breakfast that will keep you full and focused all morning. Hunger increases cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone. If you are already stressed enough with work, arriving there hungry won’t do you any good. It’s also good to pack little healthy snacks throughout the day so you’re not tempted by the breakroom goodies and midafternoon coffee runs. An apple has more natural sugars than coffee and gives you a better boost than the sugar rush you get from your coffee. If you want a healthier alternative, try eating an apple instead of a couple cups o Joe!
Mornings are the platform of your day. If you consistently hate mornings or even state that you hate mornings, you will be more inclined to have a bad morning. Here are some quick fixes to make your morning the best every morning.
- Daily affirmations: State what you want in life and how you are going to achieve it. You are what you think, and if you think positive thoughts and goals you will eventually achieve them.
- Stretch: If you have a little extra time in the morning stretch before you do anything. It will get your blood flowing throughout your body waking you up and gradually warming up your muscles. Yoga is also a great way to clear your mind and create a positive space.
- Meditation: By placing yourself in a relaxed state before the day even starts will allow you to take on many different challenges. Even if you practice for a couple minutes, you are giving your mind a fresh start. Sometimes long nights of sleep can be filled with stress dreams and tossing and turning. This gives you a fresh start.
- Prepare the night before: Pick out your outfit the night before. Plan what you are going to pack for lunch. Set up your briefcase or make sure your purse is set up with everything you need. Lay out your towels and robes. Do everything you possibly can the night before. You will feel more available in the morning to focus on things that are more important.
Whether you’re a morning person or not, it’s good to practice all of these habits and focus on the positives every morning. This will make you feel healthier and happier as well as giving you a great start to your day!