The alarm goes off, you hit the snooze button what seems like a gazillion times, the baby monitor is yelling at you to get up, your eyes feel like a million pounds, and you have the day ahead of you weighing down your shoulders. All you want to do is keep the blinds closed, crawl further under the covers, and get more ZZZs.
But, you have the day ahead of you to conquer.
So, how can you start the day on a happy note?
10 Ways to Start Each Day Happy
1.) Enjoy a few “me time” minutes.
Unless you slept in past your alarm, when your alarm goes off or the baby wakes you up in the morning, take a few minutes to gather your thoughts. Don’t rush out of bed. Instead, get yourself in the right mindset to conquer the day. Think about the day ahead, prepare your mind and body, and get excited about what’s in store for you that day.
2.) Try to embrace the morning.
I’m totally not a super early morning person. Since I go to be on the later side, waking up at 8:00 a.m. would be ideal for me. Well, my two-year-old always has different plans for me. He goes to bed at 7:00 p.m. and loves to wake up between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. When he wakes up, I need to be ready. It’s definitely tough waking up before I want to wake up day in and day out but I try to see the positive in the early mornings. From seeing his smiling face to waking up the house, my son and I have a routine that I totally love in the morning.
3.) Drink water.
I keep reading that drinking water in the morning will help your body and mind. I’m horrible at drinking water throughout the day. The first thing my husband does every morning is drink water. I need to follow suit. I usually go straight for the OJ and coffee. Oh, coffee. Hello, lover.
4.) Prepare the night before.
For me, preparing the night before means cleaning the kitchen and putting all of the toys away. There’s nothing better than walking downstairs to a clean house. If I woke up to piles of dishes in the sink and toys strewn all throughout the house, my head might spin. For others, it might mean packing lunches, setting out clothes, getting backpacks ready, etc. Preparing the night before will mean easier, happier mornings.
5.) Eat breakfast.
I’m a hangry person. Yes, if I don’t eat, then I get hangry. So, I always make sure I start the day with some sort of breakfast to keep me fueled and energized throughout the morning. Do you get hangry too?
6.) Write in a journal.
Writing on this blog every day is therapeutic to me. Many people I know actually wake up a bit earlier than when they’re supposed to in order to squeeze in journal writing time. Writing is a great way to free and energize your mind.
7.) Make a list.
Every morning, write a gratitude list. Or, make a list of items that you hope to accomplish that day. Make the “to do” reasonable in order to give yourself a healthy challenge. Plus, making a “to do” list will help you prioritize the day.
8.) Work out.
I recently got back into running. I’ve always loved running since being athletic is in my bones. If I’m not active, I’m not balanced. Finding “me time” in the form of running has allowed me to exercise, listen to music, and collect my thoughts.
9.) Read something inspirational.
Whether its from the Bible or your favorite new book, read a story, quote, or article that is inspirational.
10.) Think positive thoughts.
You can either choose to be unhappy or choose to be happy. Your mood in the morning will set the tone for the day. So, why not choose happy, positive thoughts as your first thoughts of the day? Don’t look at the glass as half empty. Look at the day ahead, smile (because I’ve always read that smiling can increase happiness), and be confident that you will conquer the day ahead.
How do you start the day on a happy note?
Photo via TMagazine.
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