There are two kinds of people when the alarm goes off – those who love mornings, and those who don’t.
People who love to get out of bed wake up refreshed and ready to face the day. They are generally cheerful, happy and positive just because it is morning. They need nothing special and no encouragement to start their day.
On the other hand, there are those self-proclaimed morning haters. The alarm goes off and their first action of the day is to slam their hand down on the snooze button. They return to the realm of sleep as soon as possible and groan when the alarm goes off again.
When they do crawl out of bed it is with moaning and grunts. Their bodies feel bad. To them, it feels like another day that is starting way too early. There is dread and misery in their hearts.
Waking up doesn’t have to be that bad. Perhaps morning will never be their favorite time of the day, but it can be far more pleasant and comfortable.
With a little help, a change in perspective and some changes in routine, starting your day can become a better experience.
4 Ideas to make your morning better
1. Physically: Instead of lunging for the snooze button, take a lesson from a dog or cat and start with a stretch. This can be done without leaving the comfort of your bed. Take your hands to the headboard and your feet to the footboard. Curl on your side in a fetal position then stretch out as far as your body will go. Let the adrenaline you naturally produce do its job to bring energy to your body. Help it out by moving around to spread the energy throughout your whole body.
2. Mentally: Instead of telling yourself how awful you feel and how much you do not want to get up, think about something you can look forward to during your day. So, maybe at this point, it will have to be going back to bed that night or what you can eat. Refocus your attention on something positive. This will produce endorphins to boost your mood.
3. Take 5 deep breaths. Inhale to a slow count of 5 and exhale to a slow count of 5. This will send oxygen to your brain, bringing with it a sense of well-being. It also takes your attention away from negative thoughts and feelings.
4. Now that you have your body energized and moving, it is time to exit the bed. Have something waiting for you that is pleasurable. For coffee drinkers, get a coffee maker that has a timer, or purchase a simple timer that turns on the coffee pot in time. The point being that the coffee is brewed and ready for you. For the non-coffee drinkers, choose something else, perhaps a crock pot breakfast, a favorite beverage or food. For some a beeline to a hot shower is the key to a good start. Whatever it is, tailor it to your desires.
These are just a few ideas to make your morning a more pleasant experience. What kind of creative ideas can you come up with for yourself? Let me know what you think, so I can share it with others.
