Every good day begins with a good morning. Kicking your day off with a good start will put you in the best headspace to make the most of the day. This is true regardless of whether the day ahead is a busy Monday or a relaxing Saturday.
Waking up prepared for the day’s challenges is the first step in completing a long list of tasks. Likewise, waking up rested and in a positive mood will allow you to make the most of your days off. Here are a few tips you can use to ensure you start every day off right.
# Tips to Start Your Day
- Prepare for a Good Morning Before it Even Begins
You can start taking steps to ensure a good morning before the day has even begun by preparing for it every night. Take some time every evening to think about the next morning. Remind yourself of what you want to get done, and what needs to get done, when you wake up.
You can do this by looking at your calendar immediately before bed or by just creating an impromptu schedule in your head before going to sleep.
You can also set yourself up for a good morning by making sure you get a good night’s sleep. Take some time to get comfortable and relax before bed every night. This may sound obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of people who get carried away with a stressful day and go to sleep anxious.
Watch an episode of your favorite show or read before heading to bed. The key to a good morning is a good evening the night before.
- Take a Moment Before Getting Out of Bed
Once the morning has begun there’s no need to immediately jump into action. Give your body and your brain a few minutes to fully wake up before starting your day. Take this time to check the weather, think about what today’s activities are, and just relax.
Some people like to take this opportunity to try to remember the dreams they had the night before. This is healthy because dreams often involve situations and interactions relevant to our real life. Think about the dreams you had while asleep and what they could mean for the real world you.
Remember though, you’re meant to be waking up, so don’t allow yourself to fall asleep again.
- Do Something You Enjoy Immediately
The first thing you do every morning should be something you enjoy. If you’re the active kind, then take a run and listen to some music through a pair of wireless headphones. If you’re the contemplative kind, then take a moment to meditate before beginning your day.
If you’re the creative kind, then make something new or special for breakfast. The specific activity you engage in isn’t very important so long as you genuinely enjoy it. The release of dopamine resulting from doing something you love will help you approach the day with a more positive attitude.
- Get Some Natural Light
Natural light is an underrated means of finding motivation. It may sound cliché, but there are actual benefits to getting outside early in the morning. This doesn’t mean you have to do anything tiring like taking a run. In fact, something as simple as drinking your morning coffee, or reading the news outside can help you feel the positive effects of natural light.
- Make Your Bed
After you have had some time to fully awaken, remember to make your bed. This will get you into the habit of checking something off of your to-do list early and consistently, even if it is something as simple as making your bed. This is a fantastic way to put yourself in the proper headspace for tackling the rest of the day’s challenges.
- Make a Short To-do List
To-do lists are a great way to keep on track, especially during the more busy days. The list you create for yourself doesn’t need to be long. In fact, it can be more productive to keep your list short and give every task on it your full attention.
Try to avoid multitasking when completing items on your to-do list. The human brain isn’t very good at multitasking because it requires it to continuously change mindsets. This can end up leaving you feeling exhausted by the end of the day.
- Carry the Momentum of a Good Morning
Once your day has gotten off to a great start, continue crossing items off of your to-do list. Don’t let small inconveniences sway your headspace or ruin your mood. Remind yourself that your day started off great and that with a little determination it can end just as well.
Carry the momentum of your good morning as long as possible. And if the day ends up going sour anyway, don’t get discouraged. Set yourself up for another great day tomorrow
The editorial team at CMS Beginners is a group of industry-leading freelancers and online entrepreneurs. Their main aim is to educate people about online earning and empower youth.