This Morning Routine Will Improve Your Mood

Morning Routine to Improve Mood

You’ve heard it before, right? Your morning routine is the key to the rest of your day. Maybe you’ve tried to become habitual in your morning rituals before and it didn’t work for you. Here’s our best advice: Try again!

Habits That Will Help Set the Mood for a Better Day

Select at least three of the following habits that best fit your personality, space, and time constraints. Commit to them for the next 30 days, no excuses allowed. You will thank yourself later!

Get Up at the Same Time Every Day

It adds consistency and reliability to your day. And that’s great for your mood! It’s even better if you can also go to bed the same time (around 10:00 p.m. is the best for the best sleep patterns).

Begin Slowly

Lay on your back before rising and do a full-body stretch. Reach high above your head, while also stretching your toes as far as your legs will take them. Repeat three times. If you really want to take it to another level, add something that you are grateful for each time you stretch.

 Then take a few deep breaths, while still lying down. Right before you get up, tell yourself a motto such as, “Today is an amazing day!” Rise slowly.

Let the Light Shine In

Open the curtains. Lift the blinds. Turn on some lights. Whatever you have to do to chase away any dark corners as best you can. New research has suggested that getting outside in the sun for ten minutes each morning (without sunglasses) allows the right amount of UV light enter our brains which sets our circadian clocks.

“The light/dark cycle of the sun has a powerful effect on the circadian clock, sleep, and alertness. Your body's circadian clock responds to light, as a signal to be awake, and dark, as a signal to fall asleep. Increase your amount of light during the day to be more alert.” [Center of Disease Control and Prevention]

Hydrate

By now you have certainly heard health professionals and coaches encourage us to drink 64 ounces of water a day. Make it a goal to drink eight ounces of water before you begin work or leave the house.

Meditate

This doesn’t have to be hard. Sit somewhere comfortable to you, which can be a chair, on the floor, or on your bed. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, then breathe normally. Pick a positive phrase you like and repeat it. Ones I use include, “Here and Now.” “Relax,” and “All is Well”. Yes, out loud is fine. Ten minutes is great. Research has found that twenty minutes has a peak effect.

“Many studies seem to conclude that just 20 minutes of mindfulness meditation per day can result in significant benefits. That's all it takes, in most cases, to enhance brain functioning and overall physical and mental health”. May 22, 2023 [mindworks.com]

Set a timer and get started today!

Eat

Your body needs fuel to get started properly. It helps with gut health as well as energy. Check here for some healthy breakfast ideas. If you have health issues, talk to your doctor.

Give yourself the best chance possible to begin your days in a positive mindset by committing to three of these habits for 30 days.

Remember this is your sacred journey ~ your life!