Every morning seems to be the same – you barely have time to swallow a second mouthful of coffee before you have to put on your coat and fly out the door. By the time you get to the office, you’re still feeling sleepy – but stressed-out! Take control of your mornings with these five simple stress-busting tips.
1. Create a morning ritual
A ritual is really just repeating the same good habits every morning. That may mean getting up a little earlier, but that extra time is a wise investment. Not convinced? Read The Miracle Morning: Transform Your Life before 8 AM by Hal Elrod, who suggests creating a unique morning ritual designed to boost your sense of well-being and help you live fully, every single day. One suggestion: why not take five minutes to drink your coffee quietly by candlelight?
Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710
2. Wake up inspired
Can’t stand the harsh sound of your alarm clock? Try something different tomorrow. You’ll wake up inspired when you listen to a podcast – one of many on so many different topics. For instance, try Waking Up with Sam Harris, or the motivational podcast Your Motivational High 5. Wise words to help you wake up gently!
Links:
Your Motivational High 5 : http://thestoryshop.tv/ymh5/
https://player.fm/series/waking-up-with-sam-harris-1389372
3. Don’t forget to make your bed
It’s such a simple thing, but so many people forget to do it! Making your bed gives you a sense of accomplishment and self-mastery that puts you in a productive frame of mind for the whole day. Having an organized bedroom will lift your spirits too. Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, believes that having organized rooms with clear spaces helps reduce stress. So many good reasons for straightening out your duvet!
4. Get moving at the break of day
Start your day with a healthy dose of endorphins and get moving the minute you get up. Classical Stretch, also called Essentrics, is a gentle but effective program that’s available on some PBS stations, or you can order the DVDs. If you’ve always wanted to try yoga, Yoga with Adriene’s 30 Day Yoga Journey is perfect for beginners!
Link:
Yoga with Adriene – https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
5. Set some goals
Sit down in a comfy chair with a big mug of latte or a cup of green tea and think about what you want to accomplish today. Set three goals, whether you choose a task (sweeping the floor or paying a bill), doing something for yourself (taking a bath or reading for half an hour), or meeting a personal challenge (paying someone a compliment or smiling at a stranger). Write down your objectives in a notebook or an inspirational planner like the Hobbry series.
The 52 Lists Project provides a year of inspiration by helping you discover the joy, beauty, creativity and power within yourself. Setting clear intentions is the best way to turn them into reality!
Link: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/brand/hobbry/
Finding your own rituals is very personal. Going for a walk, colouring mandalas, or just taking a bath – they’re all feel-good activities. Of course, you’ll also want to have a nourishing breakfast to give you the energy to face the day!