We’re all on a journey of self-love and betterment. Sometimes when our lives get too hectic, and the day-to-day overwhelms us, it’s good to remind ourselves of things we can do to start our days with the intention of staying mindful and keeping a positive mindset throughout the day. Here are some proven ways to keep yourself at the moment.
Breathe
It’s a good idea when you first wake up, instead of jumping out of bed and flooding our minds with the things we need to get done that day, to lay still and take some intentional breaths. At this moment, we can calmly center ourselves and repeat a thought for the day in our minds. Today I want to be patient with the children. Today I want to make time to journal my thoughts. Whatever your thought is, remind yourself several times while taking deep breaths; that is one small goal for the day.
Avoid the Screens!
With so much going on in the world, it’s tempting to want to immediately grab your phone and check your social media feed, check news outlets or check your email. However, doing this isn’t always going to bring positive thoughts to our minds. Sometimes the things we see on the news are too much. Sometimes we may arouse feelings of insecurity when we see something on social media. It’s better to give your mind time to wake up without those distractions. It’s also a little bit of information overload first thing in the morning.
Move Your Body
When we decide to get out of bed, it’s a good idea to move our bodies gently. Whether this is light stretching or a quick yoga routine, it’s beneficial to move our bodies and prepare them for all the work they’re going to do for us during the day. Honoring our bodies while we do this is even better. Thank your body for the things it can do for you and acknowledge some of the things it may not be able to do for you. Then thank it again.
Hydrate!
Most of us sleep with a glass of water beside our bed that we undoubtedly reach for at some point in the middle of the night wholly parched! After a full night’s sleep, your body and brain just finished doing a ton of important work keeping you healthy. We all know the recommendation of consuming at least eight glasses of water a day. Dieticians agree that you can get a lot of hydration from drinks other than water. So whether you prefer a light tea in the morning or a pour-over coffee, make sure you’re hydrating yourself shortly after waking up.
Break Your Fast!
A lot of people aren’t “breakfast” people, and that is okay! It’s still a good idea to give yourself a little bit of fuel to tackle the morning ahead. Especially if you’ve got little ones counting on you or a very important zoom meeting first thing in the morning, it’s vital to nourish yourself with healthy foods to set the tone for how you’re going to eat all day. Smoothies or oatmeal are quick and easy options to break your fast from the night before.
Cleanse!
When you are in a pinch and rushing to get children out the door or clamoring to get to your virtual or physical office, sometimes the easiest thing to neglect is our own shower and getting ready. One of the quickest ways to feel good about ourselves is to set the tone of the day that you are important by making yourself look good. When we’re showered and polished (made up if that’s your thing), we feel confident, and we’re more likely to have a good day. So make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to hop in the shower and get yourself looking and feeling your best.
We’re all stretched in so many more directions these days than we were pre-pandemic. So, this list may seem daunting. But that is what makes it more critical than ever to try to do these things. If we don’t show up for ourselves, it’s impossible to show up for others.
