How Changing Your Mornings Will Really Change Your Life
By Lauren Hill
1. Reflect on what you’re grateful for in your life.
Practicing gratitude is one of the most effective ways to feel happier. Think of all the things, experiences and people you’re grateful to have in your life. You can do this even before you get out of bed by simply listing them off in your head or writing them out in a journal. If you focus on what you already have, you will get more of what you want. When you spend the first couple minutes of your day saying “thank you” for all that you have, your energy will shift and your day will be brighter.
2. Put your phone down and be present.
Right when we wake up we tend to reach for our phones and this can actually have a negative effect on our mind and energy. If you start your day with information overload by checking texts, emails, and social media it will overwhelm your brain. This may seem harmless to your routine, but it’s actually wasting time, killing productivity and distracting you from the moment. Make it a habit to put your phone down in the morning and really be present. Breathe in the day, focus on the hot water trailing over your skin in the shower, savor and chew each bite of your breakfast, notice your surroundings, and sink into each moment. By giving your mind time to become fully aware of the now, you will feel more peace and joy in your day.
3. Meditate.
Developing a morning meditation practice will set the tone for your entire day and help you to stay focused, relaxed, and positive. When there are a thousand thoughts running through your head, it’s hard to quiet your mind and focus on your breath. Luckily, when you first wake up your mind is fairly quiet and even 5 to 10 minutes of meditation can really make a huge difference in your day. Try different types of meditation like mindfulness, vipassana, and transcendental, and cultivate a mood of calm, confidence, and consciousness.
4. Energize your body.
Jump out of bed in the morning and wake your body up! Exercising in the morning is an instant happiness booster, whether it be a refreshing run outside, some soothing yoga, lifting weights at the gym, or even dancing in the shower. You might not consider yourself a “morning person,” but once you get your workout out of the way, you don’t even have to think about it. Exercise releases wonderful, happy hormones and boosts your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories throughout the day. Not only will you be more energized, focused, and productive throughout the day, but taking control of your morning will empower you to take more control of your life.
5. Set an intention for the day.
We all have long term goals but how many of us have a goal for every day? An intention is a purpose, an aim, or as I like to call it, a declared desire. In the morning, get clear on what you really want from the day. You can ask yourself, “How do I want to show up, how do I want to feel? At peace? On-fire? Or what do I want to accomplish?” Make sure it’s positive because like attracts like and positive thoughts multiply. Write it on your hand or on a piece of paper in your pocket to remember it throughout the day. In order to create, manifest, and attract your intention, you must align your mind, heart, and spirit with it. By setting an intention and releasing it into the world, you move toward your deeper aspirations and create the life you truly want to live.