We go to sleep each night and wake up in the morning to a new day with new opportunities – a day filled with the power and freedom to choose. The minute we wake up, we can choose to get out of bed and make the most of our day or press the snooze button, roll over, pull the blankets over our head, and feel dread about the day ahead. This is nobody’s choice but ours.
Some people find mornings filled with optimism, while others would just as soon stay in bed until the clock passes the noon hour. For most, however, the workday beckons and the morning is a mad rush to get everyone ready and out the door. By the time you reach the office, you’ve probably already dealt with the stress of family, weather, traffic and other distractions.
Unless everything goes perfectly, you’ll carry all that stress into your office and share it throughout the day with your employees and colleagues.Fear not, it is possible to get the day started right, no matter what comes your way. Try one of these tips each day of the week or combine them. Either way, you’ll start out on your terms and be prepared to make it a great day.
Let’s look at 5 ways we can start our day off on a positive note:
Plan the night before. Why start your day unorganized? If you organize your to-do-list, breakfast menu and your clothes the night before, you’ll wake up feeling in control and relaxed. Taking 20 minutes to lay out everything can save you a 30-minute fashion crisis or search for the car keys. With a little efficiency, you’ll save the frustration and scrambling, leaving you ready to tackle more important issues.
When you wake up in the morning, take a few minutes to check-in (go within). Take a few deep breaths and find something that you’re grateful for (your children, partner, your health, the warm bed you are in, nature outside your window). Take this time to be thankful for all that you have in your life instead of wasting your energy on thinking about what you don’t have.
Try 15 minutes of meditation. Some might be afraid that a meditation session early in the morning could just put you back to sleep. But genuine meditation actually stimulates the brain in a deep and thoughtful way. It allows you to clear distractions from your mind and purge negative energy. Center yourself with thoughtful introspection or prayer and be open to the positive energy the world brings your way.
Take a few moments while in the shower and/or while eating breakfast just to be present. Feel the water on your skin, taste the different flavours in your food. It feels good and it’s an amazing way to consciously set your energy and intention towards your day.
Trade coffee for green/herbal tea. Coffee is a great stimulant, but sometimes it can over-stimulate and the acid can make your stomach uncomfortable. Try a soothing cup of green/herbal tea to start instead. You’ll still get the caffeine you crave (just a bit less), plus healthy antioxidants. It’s cheaper and healthier than a double caramel mochaccino, too. You can still get the java mid-morning if you want it, but you may find you don’t even need it since the crash won’t be as severe.
Get clear about your intentions for the day. For example you can intend to have a productive day. You can intend to have quality time with your family and friends with no distractions. You can intend to have a fun and brilliant day. You can intend to have a calm and peaceful day. You can intend to learn something new or be helpful to someone. Whatever it is just be clear about what it is you want your day to be. In order to create, manifest, and attract it, you must first align your heart, mind, and spirit with your intention. In other words, you truly need to feel it!
Do some yoga. Exercise is a great stimulant to wake you up, and make you feel good. It’s good for the body and pumping those endorphins makes your mind happy and alert. Cardio is great, but for the whole body approach, add a little yoga into your routine. You’ll control your breath, stretch your muscles and generate energy. Your body and mind will be one and ready to conquer the world.
Many people don’t understand the power of thoughts, because they live every day on autopilot, doing most things out of habit, and therefore they create their reality unconsciously, as if they’re wearing a blindfold. But whether we’re aware of it or not, we create our reality with our thoughts and behaviour – and this means we have the power to choose to be a conscious, mindful creator and change our reality to what we really want it to be.
Remember, you choose your thoughts, you choose your behavior, you choose the outcome. And every choice you make determines how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Now, let me ask you this: How do you start your day? Is it with gratification and happiness—or doom and gloom? A day is easily ruined if started by holding onto negativity and resentment. So when you wake tomorrow, ask yourself, do I want to think and act like I did yesterday, or do I choose to be a new me today?
Email Manali at [email protected] to try her Fit-Yoga Class or a Reiki Session or assess your Lifestyle. First free session specials available!
Manali is a Spiritual Wellness Coach with over 20 years of work experience and has helped many people establish the mind and body connection and balance in their lives.