Have you ever woken up to a bunch of thoughts about all the things that you have to do today that you forgot to do the night before? Do you just want to roll back over, hit snooze on your alarm, and go back to sleep?
Many of us have experienced this feeling, but it doesn't have to feel this way all the time.
What we think can dictate how we feel. So when we can have control of what we think, such as having negative thoughts about "what could possibly go wrong in the day?" but then changing the wording to "what are all the good things that could happen today," it brings a sense of power to the beginning of your day.
Check out the list below for 11 hacks that can help bring a little positivity to your morning.
1. Have an uplifting alarm clock sound
Instead of the classic alarm or bell sound, try something with a tropical beat or something easygoing and melodic. It won't make you jump out of bed when you hear it, but rather gracefully ascend off the bed, feeling refreshed.
2. Don't pick up the phone—until later
Yes, I know our alarms can be on the phone to wake us up, or there's an important email we need to respond to, but once that's out of the way, try to avoid scrolling through social media until a little later.
Research from RescueTime, an iOS and Android app that helps you allocate more time in the day to feel more in control of your day discovered people spend roughly three hours and fifteen minutes on their phones daily.
RescueTime also found that we check our phones 58 times a day, which is a lot.
Give social media a little break in the morning, and you'll feel more at ease.
3. Get a little workout in
woman doing yoga meditation on brown parquet flooring
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
Whether that's following a YouTube workout routine or going for a run in the neighborhood, or getting zen with yoga, get your body going and raise those endorphins!
4. Eat something good!
red strawberries on brown waffles
Photo by Joyful on Unsplash
Sometimes when time is limited, we grab a cup of coffee and head out, but let's take some time to eat!
Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast improves your energy and ability to focus for the short term. It can also help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Whether it's a plate of fresh fruit or stacks of waffles with maple syrup, give your body the added nutrients.
After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
5. Take a second to breathe.
As we navigate the day, sometimes we are met with stress and anxiety. When this happens, we may not even notice that our breathing pattern changes when we feel stressed about something.
How to tell? Your breathing will feel more shallow, or you might chest tightness, to name a couple. When you feel like this, Healthline recommends that we practice diaphragmatic breathing via your diaphragm. The diaphragm is essential for efficient breathing. They recommend that you sit comfortably with your head supported.
Then, placing one hand on your chest and the other below your ribcage, breathe in slowly through your nose as you feel your stomach expand against your hand. Then exhale! Experts suggest that this be done for five to 10 minutes a day.
Do this a couple of times and enjoy an increased feel of relaxation within minutes.
6. If you have pets, play with them!
woman carrying cat while standing on porch
Photo by Mel Elías on Unsplash
In a press release from Banfield Pet Hospital, they conducted a study that found nearly 70 per cent of pet owners go to their pet to destress versus 63 per cent listening to music and 44 per cent who read to decompress.
Not only is playing with your pet a great way to bond with your adorable pets, how can you be mad at such a cute face?
7. Download a quote/affirmation of the day app
stay close to people who feels like sunshine quote
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash
There are numerous apps available for download on our phones that will give us quirky and inspiring quotes to get off on a good foot in the morning. Some personal favorite apps that made me feel great are Motivation and Daily Quote.
8. Ask yourself how you can make the most out of the day
Although we may not know what the day holds, asking yourself how you may the day a positive one shows you just how much you control how you feel and react to things within the day. If the day seems to be going a little blah, change it up!
9. Read a good book or article
woman sitting on brown ledge while holding book
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Reading something that'll give you some inspiration in the day will help get you in the spirit to seize the day.
10. Focus more on things that make you happy
Our thoughts can affect our mood. So if we think of happy thoughts, we generally feel happy. It's super simple but it holds so much truth— consider all things that make you happy. Even if it's just a visualization, you'll feel joy!
11. Show off those pearly whites and smile!
black and gray i love you print textile
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
The University of South Australia researchers had people replicate the facial movement of a smile by holding a pen between their teeth, which caused the corners of their mouth to spread like a smile. Although some of the smiles were fakes, Dr.Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, a researcher from the University of South Australia, notes that their brains couldn't tell the difference because it stimulates our amygdala.
The amygdala is in charge of our emotions in our brains which plays an important role in responding to anxieties and fears. It also plays a part in how we make decisions and our memory.
When I tried randomly smiling for the first time, I felt awkward because it was the smile was for no real reason. Soon after, I realized that I wasn't feeling as down, and my perspective of the day changed for the better.
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