Start Your Day with Positivity & Peace of Mind
If you are anything like me, every minute counts in the morning. I am a night owl by nature, looking forward to those precious hours after the kids have gone to bed to do, well, whatever I WANT TO DO. Sure, sometimes those hours must be spent folding laundry or grading tests for the class I teach and certainly prioritizing time to reconnect with my hubby, but it is my time to use however I choose. Then having stayed up too late, I set my alarm, so that I can press the sleep button at least two times, before I absolutely must get up. Yep, that’s how I roll. Well folks, I have been mixing it up a lot more lately. About a year ago I started this awesome tortuous class that begins at…wait for it…5:30AM!!!! I AM NOT SUGGESTING YOU DO THIS...it is certainly not for everyone. I am still figuring out if it is for me! I know some of you chipper morning people out there are like, "easy peasy". Well, not for me. In fact, I am so anxious about having to wake up so early that I cannot fall asleep the night before. Classic. But when my body feels good and I am really trying to exercise more, I get it done and I feel stronger and happier for it. But I digress…on the days that I do not submit myself to the tortuous early rise I usually sleep in to the very last minute and then it is a mad scramble to get the kids up, fed and dressed before school. I am learning that this tumultuous morning schedule may not be so good for me.
Studies show that it is much healthier to wake up around the same time each day, letting your body settle into a peaceful and reliable pattern. Check out this article on the topic.
Well, like I said I have been mixing it up a bit more lately and with the onset of a New Year, it is a good time to set some new goals. So, I have been focusing my efforts on waking up around the same time each day and implementing a morning routine that feels good and helps me stay positive, which I feel reap benefits in other areas of my life.
Setting up a healthy morning routine has so many benefits, including feeling more focused, patient and organized before you start your day. Not to mention, a good fresh start can set us up to have a positive outlook on the day overall. I truly feel much happier and more positive when I prioritize my morning to give me a little extra time to do some stretching and take some mindful moments. Some people are very self-disciplined and have no trouble making this happen. I can be, but when it comes to getting up early, it is a struggle. If this sounds familiar, I suggest you start slowly. The routine I am about to suggest only takes 10 to 15 minutes. I get it...I started this post out with how precious every minute in the morning is, but I think you can set that alarm 10 minutes earlier. You can do it. I know you can. If I can, you can. Before I dive in, consider the moment you open your eyes. Get Moving but Start Slow. Easing yourself into wake up mode, start by opening your eyes and pointing your toes and then flexing your heels. Then do three circles with each foot. The little movement not only helps the wake up process, but also the counting out three circles turns the brain on. Next, get out of bed, stand up and reach your arms up tall wiggling your fingers a bit. Seems simple and even silly to write this, but just the act of reading it now, will remind you to do it first thing. Alright moving on to my routine:
Below are my Top 5 Tips to start your day with a smile and a good attitude, with just a few extra minutes each morning.
1. Do 5 Minutes of Stretching
Now, make your way to a comfortable spot in your home and do some gentle stretching. Just around 5 minutes of some stretching of your choice. I like a simple Sun Salutation. If you are unfamiliar with the practice of Yoga, check out this little video here which walks you through a beginner's Sun Salutation. It only takes a few minutes. Or you can come up with your own set of stretches that feels right for you. I am also a fan of this book, Yoga for Beginner's. I do my stretches in my PJ's on my yoga mat (wouldn't want to have to wake up any earlier to change!) . Check out this lovely eco-friendly yoga mat, if you are looking to get one. Doing stretching each morning has become a mandatory practice for me. Now that I am in my, ahem, 40s....gulp, I wake up with some aches and pains that can be remedied with a few stretches.
2. Do Push-ups
Doing a push up and doing it correctly is easier said then done and takes practice. Check out this video on proper push-up form. If you have never done a push- up before or think you can't, think again. Watch this short video above until the end and it will show you how you can begin on your knees and eventually work up to a full push-up. I started on my knees with just one!! Eventually I worked up to 5 and then 10 knee push-ups, before I had the strength and correct form to do one full regular push-up. Now I do 10 push-ups every morning, after my Sun Salutation. Some say it is the closest thing to the perfect exercise, if done properly. Read this article on the topic. START SLOWLY! A great way to jump start your day.
"One of the reasons the push-up has endured so long is it's cheap, it's easy, it doesn't require any equipment, it can work multiple parts of the body at the same time -- and pretty much everyone, from beginners to athletes, can derive benefits," says personal trainer Jonathan Ross, a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
3. Do a Mini Meditation
If the word meditation makes you uncomfortable or is not something you have previously been interested in trying, consider it simply as doing some deep breathing exercises, which studies show is very good for us, brings oxygen to the brain and helps us to think more clearly and feel more calm. You can start with one minute and then work up to 5 minutes. Check out this link to a post on Meditation for Newbies.
4. Look Outside
Now, find yourself a window or step outside for a moment. Look around. Take in your surroundings. Look at any plant life. Pay attention to the details, leaf shapes or patterns you see, any insects or birds scampering about. Breathe in and out. Find some beauty in the little things you see and take a moment to be grateful for something. We lead such busy lives and it is important to stop and look around now and then and notice even the simplest things around us. With a deep breathe in and then out, pay attention to how good it feels to simply be present and grateful. This is called mindfulness. Check out this post on mindfulness practice.
5. Drink a Glass of Water
While I very much want to head straight for the coffee first thing in the morning, opt for water before you start the coffee mainline. The old me could get through half a day before realizing I had not had a single glass of water and then after having it was surprised by the energy it delivered. Now I drink it constantly. Water hydrates us, gives us energy, is good for our skin and digestion..I can go on and on. I know you know. So after doing all of these loving exercises to get your self going each day, drink a nice tall glass of water and while you are drinking it say a silent thank you in gratitude for having access to fresh clean water.
These 5 ideas for implementing a morning routine to help start your day with positivity, only take about 10 to 15 minutes. You can also shorten or lengthen any of these tips or change them up a bit to suit your own idea of peaceful and rejuvenating ways to get your body and mind ready for the day.
Go easy on yourself, start slow, set small goals. Perhaps just pick one of these activities and add more later, as you adjust to the change in your morning. As always. Be well, be kind. Thanks for stopping by.