I naturally am not a morning person.
And if you are anything like me, you get annoyed easily with people who are. However, regardless of your opinions on mornings, we all have to start the day.
Before we go into this deeper, take a minute to think about your morning routine. Do you stumble out of bed and get ready because you have places to be and things to do or do you wake up last minute after snoozing your alarm ten times? These two scenarios can set our day up for stress. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. We have a lot of control over our own actions and attitude. Being mindful about how we start our day can help us feel more in control, decrease stress, help us engage in self-care, and be more productive. The best part is that it only takes 10 minutes a morning.
There are many people in my life who tell me, “I don’t have an extra 10 minutes; I don’t even have time to sit and eat!” I respond by saying we have all day to accomplish our responsibilities; you deserve at least 10 minutes to yourself. Besides, eating breakfast can be a mindful way to start your morning!
A mindful morning starts when you wake up and say a positive affirmation, check in with your body to see how it feels, or stretching right out of bed, etc. While you are getting ready try to focus your attention on the present activity. If you are brushing your teeth, notice the taste, feeling, movement, which muscles are required, etc. If that is too easy, use your other hand. Your body forces you to focus on that activity because it’s harder to accomplish. This is a great way to get your day started rather than letting your day start you.
Another habit I am also guilty of, and I know a lot of others who are, is looking at my phone before I get out of bed. It is far too easy to think about all the work emails or the newest news headline before allowing your body to actually wake up. Give that time back to yourself. If you have to be on your phone listen to an inspirational talk or a song that helps you feel positive.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to invest in yourself. Take the time to start your day in a manner that will be helpful for you in the long run. It might be hard at first to incorporate a new habit into an already stressful morning, but you can help yourself cut down on the stress by engaging in some mindful self-care.
More Mindful Morning Activities
1. Quick walk outside
2. Enjoying a few sips of coffee without doing any other activity
3. Positive affirmations- tell yourself you are going to do great today!
4. Mindful eating- pay attention to what you are eating rather than rushing and just getting some food
5. Looking out the window and noticing 5 things you see
6. Meditation
7. Not looking at your phone
8. Smile- even a fake smile releases certain chemicals in the brain that help us feel good
9. Stand up/ sit up straight- when we are hunched over all the time our body tells us we need to be protected, but when we stand or sit is powerful positions it boosts self-esteem.
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