Many people start their day feeling rushed or overwhelmed. And while it is tempting to set your alarm as late as possible, immediately reach for your phone and replace your breakfast with a cup of coffee, this is not going to make you feel better.
Having a morning routine can help you set the right tone for the day and reduce morning stress. Here are 7 tips to revamp your current morning flow for a calm start to your day.
A good morning starts the night before. Knowing what you will do the next day and what tasks to focus on will help you go into the night feeling calm.
You might like to spend the night before going through your to-do list for the next day, getting your outfit ready and packing your work bag. This will save you time and stress when you are trying to find your keys in the morning when you should have already been out the door.
Most people tend to snooze, stay in bed as long as possible and end up oversleeping. This all causes unnecessary stress.
By setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier, you can start your day in a calm manner. You give yourself time to reflect on the new day and don't have to race out the door in a hurry.
Do you reach for your phone as soon as you wake up? You're not the only one. But this doesn't mean it's a healthy habit.
No one would enjoy having dozens of strange people enter our bedroom in the morning. Yet we let these people enter our minds by checking our social media right when we wake up.
When you immediately reach for your phone as soon as you wake up, you flood your brain with stimuli, negativity and notifications. And this is hugely stressful. Therefore, resolve yourself not to scroll through your social media or read new messages during the first hour you are awake.
Many people find the morning the best time to meditate. The rest of the world is not yet awake and the workday has not yet begun. The quiet nature of the morning makes it easier to become aware of your thoughts and quiet your mind before the (often chaotic) day begins.
A morning meditation prepares you for the day ahead by quieting your mind. During the meditation, you can also determine how you want to feel for the rest of the day.
Starting your day with movement or stretching your body creates a positive feeling. Not only do you feel more connected to your body, but you have already accomplished your first task of the day.
This doesn't mean you have to hit the gym every morning. A few minutes of stretching your body will often give you exactly what you need: relieving any pain and tension and preparing your body for the day ahead.
While it may be tempting to skip breakfast to gain a few extra minutes in the morning, this is not the best choice for most people. In fact, not eating breakfast can cause headaches, migraines and dizziness (if you are prone to these).
A healthy breakfast gives you the energy and healthy nutrients you need for the new day. And this doesn't have to be at all complicated or time-consuming. You can make "overnight oats" that you put in the fridge the night before (this is oatmeal that "stays overnight" in the fridge). Other quick and healthy options include yogurt with fruit, seeds and nuts and an omelet with vegetables.
Often we forget that waking up in the morning is the first thing we should be grateful for. Expressing your gratitude improves your mood, makes you more resilient and reduces stress. Being grateful can even reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Expressing gratitude is something everyone can do. You may be wondering what you can be grateful for. But this can be something as simple as saying "thank you" for a new day or being grateful because you can sleep in after a long work week.
We all need a morning ritual. Feeling overwhelmed or rushed in the morning sets the wrong tone for the day and can lead to stress and poor sleep. By making small changes (getting up earlier, meditating and expressing gratitude) you will create more peace in your mind and start your day on a positive note.
