Most people don’t look forward to mornings. As soon as your alarm goes off your phone will light up and you’ll feel your day starting to take over. However, the first hour of your day will really set the tone for your whole day. Rushing will leave you feeling all over the place and stressed, however taking your time will create a feeling of having control. You don’t need to make drastic changes to your morning to make it a positive one, just make a few simple choices.
The first step towards a great day is to sleep well at night. If you go to bed and get up at the same time every day (even on weekends), you will help your body set a biological clock. You should sleep for at least 7-9 hours and also have some time to unwind and relax without any bright screens. Otherwise, there’s no way you’ll feel rested. Therefore, having a good sleep is a key to good habits.
After having long hours without any liquid, your body is always somewhat dehydrated. Thus, drinking a glass of water in the morning will make you feel more awake and remind you that you started your day in a caring way. Get into the sunlight. Go outside or at least open a window to get some sun; it will help set your sleep patterns and cheer you up will. Even a mere five minutes on your front porch can be beneficial.
Doing some simple exercise will help to increase blood flow and release endorphins. This could be some gentle stretches, a quick walk, some yoga poses or 10 minutes of light exercise. You don’t need to do much, just enough to get you moving. People often report feeling more focused and energised when they exercise in the morning. This will often lead to making healthier choices throughout your day.
Spend a few minutes in silence. Whether this is meditation, deep breathing, praying or simply having a cup of tea whilst not looking at a screen. Taking a moment to be still will help your mind to calm. Many people find that doing some mindful breathing for 3-5 minutes will help them to be more patient and clear minded. Writing a couple of sentences in a journal will help to really make a difference. Write down what you’re grateful for or what you want to achieve.
Don’t let your email decide what needs to be done. Make a decision on what the top 2-3 things you wish to accomplish are, and get those done. This will create a purpose for you and will not wear you out making decisions all day long. Just make a list of priorities, either handwritten or typed. Having a goal in mind will make it easy to block everything else out.
Try not to grab your mobile phone the moment you wake up. Try to wait for 30-60 minutes before checking your emails/Social Media. It is best if you charge your phone in another room and use an old-fashioned alarm clock. You need to spend some time in silence in order to stay focused and in a good mood.
Make sure to have a healthy breakfast. This can be anything from eggs to cereals to fruits or even yogurt. Breakfast will supply you with energy until lunchtime and prevent your morning fatigue. Eating with mindfulness will allow you to enjoy your breakfast and stop eating when you are full. You will not only see the difference in your energy level due to your small nutrition adjustments, but also in your wellbeing.
One of the main mistakes people make is trying to keep up with everything. Choose one habit and stick to it for 2-3 weeks until it becomes your second nature. Regularity is important and missing on some days does not make you a loser.
Conclusion
Having positive habits in the morning doesn’t mean you need to wake up at the crack of dawn. By hydrating, exercising, breathing, planning and eating you’re giving your best self a head start. Over weeks and months these small choices will start to change how healthy, focused and positive you are. Often a better life starts with a better morning.
