Wouldn’t it be great if every day were a good day? It can be! Every morning is a brand new “do over.” This means every day you have a chance to either start right or start wrong. By beginning your day in a way that is right for you, you’re setting yourself to be happy, healthy, kind to those around you, and at peace. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a rushed and frustrating morning very rarely leads to a good day.
Clearly, your morning routine is very important! You wake up in a comfortable bed made possible by your premium PranaSleep mattress. Then what? What do you do next? Let us help you create the right morning routine for you, one that is powerful yet easy to do every single day.
#1 Be proactive throughout your day instead of reactive
Many mental health experts tell us one of the most important ways to stay cool, calm, and in control of your life is to be proactive rather than reactive. It’s impossible not to get overwhelmed if you’re constantly being presented with challenges you did not prepare for. On a micro level, you should work this principle into your morning routine by “getting ahead” of the day.
Set aside a few minutes first thing in the morning to tap into how you’re feeling, what your intentions are, what you need to accomplish for the day, and how you can approach your day with optimism. For many people, it’s helpful to actually write it down. Do you need to call and schedule a plumber to come out? Do you need to go grocery shopping? Do you have a big proposal due today? It may also be helpful to write down some potential problems that may arise. To be proactive, what you have to do is ask yourself what is likely or possible to happen, and decide how to handle it before it happens. Perhaps your son mentioned last night he isn’t feeling well, so it’s possible you’ll need to pick him up from school. Put a few extra minutes into your day for that possibility and it won’t be an emergency if the situation arises.
#2 Start off the morning with positive and grateful thoughts
The worst thing you could do would be to start out the day in a bad mood. It will only go downhill from there! It’s okay to want to put your feet up at the end of a busy day, but you don’t want to live your life in survival mode. Instead of going through your day in a grumpy mood and longing for it to be over, a positive mindset is better for you and everyone around you.
Tap into the power of positivity! We recommend you create some affirmations that give yourself the boost you need. An affirmation could be a big picture concept, like “I am loved and appreciated,” or tied to something specific you have planned for the day. Maybe you are looking for a new career opportunity and have decided to go to a networking event tonight. Remind yourself that you are great at meeting new people and have the job skills you need to succeed.
It is also helpful to begin the day in a good mood and stay in a good mood by reminding yourself of all you have to be grateful for. Again, this could be a big picture thing or something specific. Both “I have a great family” and “My toddler cleaned their dinner plate last night without a fight” are perfectly acceptable. Remember, this is all about you and what personally uplifts you the most!
#3 Do a 15-13 minute workout in the mornings
A quick exercise is nearly guaranteed to put you in a better mood! This doesn’t need to be a full-on sweat-inducing workout at the gym. It can be as simple as a few stretches, tai chi, and yoga poses. A few minutes spent in mindful asanas is all it takes to begin your day in a way that is beneficial to your body, mind, and soul. Dedicating a portion of your morning to sun salutations isn’t just about getting each pose right, but the movements between the poses as well. The transition from posture to posture is done at the same time as measured breathing. As you move through your chosen sequence, carefully monitor your breath. When you’ve finished with your daily Sun Salutations, you’re ready to get on with your day.
You already know how important your night of sleep is. Without seven to eight hours of sleep on a comfortable and supportive mattress, your overall wellness will decline. Once you are awake, your focus on being healthy shouldn’t disappear! Your morning routine is incredibly important, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated or confusing.
The first hour or so of your day is actually the most important, because it sets the tone for the other 23. You don’t have to live life like a fitness model or Hollywood celebrity to have the focus on health, fitness, and mental well-being that you deserve. As you see from this list, a powerful and healthy morning routine is simple to do. Begin your new routine tomorrow. Your entire day will be better!
