23 Aug 16 Morning Rituals That’ll Boost Your Energy & Happiness
Besides the messy bedhead, I can probably guess what your typical morning routine looks like: after the shrill sound of your alarm rings, you hit snooze a couple of times before reluctantly rolling out of bed. You throw on the first work-appropriate outfit you spot in your closet, eat an uninspiring breakfast (like an on-the-go protein bar), and race out of the house. You’re still stifling yawns and rubbing the sleepiness out of your eyes.
The reality is, we are all guilty of falling into this routine. And for those reading this and saying, “Not me,” that’s a good thing – your days are likely filled with higher levels of happiness and productivity.
A bulk of the time, a lack of enthusiasm in the morning stems from thinking about all the things you need to get done that day and your solution is to just crawl back under the covers and hide. Things like the #SundayScaries doesn’t have to define you forever. Your mindset and attitude can directly impact your emotions and how your day winds up playing out.
You’re in control here. You have the power to begin each day on a high note. While it may take a bit of practice, I can assure you there are so many better ways to start your mornings than by radiating doom and gloom.
Here are 16 easy things you can incorporate into your morning routine to feel more energized, happy, and positive. Oh, and before you keel over because there’s no possible way you can integrate 16 new things into your morning ritual, just start with one or two of these ideas until you find a rhythm and style that works for you.
Get Some Music Playing
Whether you put together a killer playlist of all your favorite songs, turn on your go-to Pandora channel, or listen to some tunes on Spotify, music can lift your spirits and boost your motivation. If you’re someone who completely stresses out in the morning, throw on some relaxing music to melt away your worries. Music is a great way to stimulate your mind and focus on feel-good emotions. Belt out the words, bust a few moves, and just enjoy yourself.
Try Journaling
Writing can be therapeutic. It’s also an effective outlet for transferring your thoughts to paper. Whether you have a creative spirit and scribble down a short story, jot down your to-do list for the day, or simply write a few sentences about whatever’s on your mind, this exercise can help expel persistent or negative thoughts and open your mind to all the excitement and possibilities in the world around you.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
I know your parents have harped on this for your entire life, so why not make them happy? As author Norman Kolpas says, “Food, like a loving touch or glimpse of divine power, has the ability to comfort.” When you take the time to chow down on a morning meal, you’ll shake off that sluggish, sleepy feeling and become more refreshed and energized. As a side note: carbs may be your soulmate, but eating healthy is always a good habit to get into. Not to mention, it’ll curb the need to munch on snacks all day.
Dedicate 5-10 Minutes on Relaxation
Mornings generally tend to feel rushed and chaotic – and that’s not the type of Kool-Aid you want to be sipping on. Instead, find a cozy spot to sit for a few minutes and meditate. Not a seasoned meditator? Don’t worry, with a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it. But once you incorporate meditation into your morning routine, you’ll stabilize your mind, feel more centered, and equip yourself with the motivation you need to start your day off right. And to be clear: meditation isn’t just about humming “Omm” while sitting with your legs crossed. It encompasses mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, reflection, visualization, and more.
Grab Something to Read
Like music, what you read can drastically impact how the rest of your day plays out. Want to feel happy or inspired? Read a book, blog post, or article on an uplifting topic. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction, reading can give you all the feels and even reduce your stress. Starting your day with a calming activity is a nice way to experience a little peace and quiet before the impending torrent of emails, meetings, and texts. Some of the world’s most successful people believe in the powerful benefits of reading. According to Business Insider, Bill Gates reads nearly 50 books a year. Coincidence? I think not.
Turn on a Podcast
As with books, podcasts are a source of value as well. You can throw on an inspiring Ted Talk, listen to This American Life, or tune into something you’re passionate about, podcasts are the perfect way to stimulate the mind and focus your energy on something positive in the A.M.
Indulge In a Little Self-Care
Showing yourself some love in the morning is non-negotiable. Everyone is unique and defines self-care differently. Whatever makes you feel good – going for a run…putting on a soothing face mask…doing some yoga – engaging in a bit of self-care each morning is the best way to put your mind in a happy place.
Be Mindful of How You Speak
Make an effort to keep your conversations light and positive. Ranting about work, complaining about bills, or arguing with someone in the morning will completely derail the rest of your day. It’s all about shifting your perspective. Sure, work can be aggravating, but why not focus on the positive: you have a job. And yeah, bills suck, but they give you a roof over your head, food on the table, and the ability to binge-watch Netflix.
Take a Walk
Get your blood flowing early by taking a quick stroll around the block. You can even do it decked out in your PJs – as long as you get outside and breathe in some fresh air. You’ll be thankful you did. Walking not only keeps you healthy, but it’ll give you that much-needed boost of energy your body needs to get motivated for the day.
Jot Down 3 Positives
Each morning grab a notebook and write down three things you’re grateful for or that made you happy the day before. It’ll take you less than 10 minutes to do and the impact will be monumental. Performing this simple exercise will not only reframe your mindset, but it’ll remind you of all the things that make your life truly special. From family and friends to the new skills you’ve learned and your accomplishments in the workplace, there’s no shortage of things to be grateful for.
Connect with Loved Ones
You know that irrepressible smile you have on your face whenever you get to chat with a loved one? Now, wouldn’t you like to start your day with a nice cheesy grin? There’s plenty of scientific evidence out there supporting social interaction and how important it is for our well-being. Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes talking to a friend or family member to ease your stress and improve your mood.
Don’t Get Attached to Your Thoughts
Isn’t it funny how creative our brains are? We can craft entire stories around our circumstances that are completely fictional and only cause our stress to skyrocket. Overthinking the meaning behind an email, a comment someone made, all the things that could go wrong at an upcoming meeting, and similarly negative thoughts can completely drain your energy and alter your mindset in a harmful way.
Did you know, according to researchers, we have an estimated 60,000 thoughts per day. I need a nap just looking at that number. When you can detach from your thoughts and let them take a stroll through your mind without affecting your emotional state, you’ll find yourself more relaxed and at peace throughout the day.
Take a Break from Social Media
Don’t panic. Remember, this is only to help bolster your morning ritual. You can return to the Twittersphere and scrolling through social threads after you’ve given your body a chance to adequately recharge in the A.M. Checking your social media or email when you first wake in the morning can have a tremendous impact on how your day plays out.
It isn’t until you step away from your addiction to social media for a few hours that you realize what a tremendous difference it makes in your life. Trying to digest an influx of work messages or information on your news feed first thing in the morning is like hiring someone to stand next to you and scream in your ear until you walk out the door. Doesn’t sound too pleasant, right? When you ditch social media first thing in the morning, you’ll discover how much more relaxing and joyful the start of your day can truly be.
Have Some Fun With Your Pet(s)
Whether you have a fluffy feline, tail-wagging puppy, or an adorable chinchilla, spending some quality time with your furry loved one in the morning is a great way to get those endorphins flowing. Dedicating some time to playing with your pet in the morning is a no-brainer – it’s virtually impossible to feel sad or angry when your getting snuggles or sandpaper kisses from your beloved pet.
Stay Hydrated
Often overlooked, but one of the simplest tricks for sparking a little motivation in the morning is drinking a glass of water. This is something I’ve committed to after reading how hydrating your body, kick-starting your metabolism, and flushing out toxins can all be achieved by gulping down a little H2O. The benefits are two-fold: you’re improving your health while also helping yourself feel more awake and energized at the start of your day.
Do Some Stretching
Your body wants to hit the snooze button just as much as you do in the morning. The key is to give your muscles a little wake-up call. By engaging in some stretching in the morning, you’ll effectively stimulate blood flow and communicate to your body that it’s time to tackle a new day. If yoga isn’t your thing, you can hit up YouTube or type in a couple of Google searches to find a stretching routine that works for you.
Here’s the reality: despite our best efforts, not every morning will be filled with rainbows and unicorns. It’s okay to wake up on the wrong side of the bed every once in a while. Sometimes, having a bad morning may be completely out of your control. However, a bad morning doesn’t mean you’re going to have a bad day. You have the power to refocus your mindset on the positives and let go of any negativity that may have rudely interrupted your morning.
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