Unless we’re talking about weekend sleep-ins, mornings are often a dreaded experience for all: we have to wake up early (sometimes when it’s still dark), we’re being rushed out the door, and we’re not yet caffeinated.
A rushed morning can also mean a stressful day. This makes you grumpy—which in turn makes the people around you grumpy. And suddenly, what could have been a beautiful day has turned into a Monday morning nightmare—every day of the week. If you ever wake up loathing the sound of your alarm clock, and are less than eager to leave your warm bed, then read on!
Here are 5 super easy tips to ensure you have a great morning, every morning!
1. Change your alarm. Instead of that awful beep-beep-beep, switch it to a soft nature song. Rename your “Alarm” to say something positive and uplifting, like “Wake Up Gorgeous!” or “Rise and Shine!” Make the experience as pleasant as possible, so you’re less likely to hit the snooze button and oversleep.
2. Wake up earlier. Even if it’s only an extra 15 minutes, extra time in the morning feels like gold. Personally, I like to get up 2 hours before I have to be anywhere, so I can take the time to wake up and really enjoy my morning.
3. If you drink coffee, set it up the night before. This isn’t new, but have your coffee set to be ready at the same time your alarm goes off. The delicious aroma wafting into the bedroom is just one more enticing reason to wake up with enthusiasm!
4. Meditate. (But actually.) Sit down for just 3 minutes [http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15403/an-easy-3-minute-meditation-video-to-lift-your-mood.html] right when you wake up, and just breathe. Listen to your thoughts, and let them go. Focus on your breath. This will put you in a calm mindset; so on that occasional bad morning where you inevitably spill coffee on your favourite shirt, you can just roll your eyes, laugh and move on.
5. Take 5 minutes to journal: whether that means writing a gratitude list, a to-do list, or just a giant run-on sentence about what’s making you mad this morning, write it down [http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7346/write-on-5-reasons-to-start-journaling.html] and get it out of your head. This will clear your mind, give you focus and remind you that every day is different—just because today was a rough morning doesn’t mean tomorrow has to be, or that your day has to suck going forward.
Of all the advice I’ve heard (and often ignored) for being successful, a morning routine has proven to be the most crucial and priceless practice you can do for yourself. Start your day off in a right frame of mind and start looking forward to waking up!
Happy Weekend!
-Tisha
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