Are you starting your day off right? Photo: Shutterstock.
Rest, stress, food, and exercise are four interconnected elements we must balance for happiness. Not enough rest, and you’ll find yourself reaching for the junk food. Too much junk food? Surfing/exercise is going to feel like more of a chore than a hobby. Less surfing, and you’ll find yourself more stressed at work. The easiest way to control this interconnected web is by starting each day on the right foot. Making small efforts to wake up with a positive mindset can make all the difference in the course of each day and in your overall happiness. These three steps are great ways to create a spiral of positive energy to start your day.
Get Up Earlier Than You Need To
Sometimes, when you set your alarm the night before, you forget a couple essential tasks you need to do before leaving the house i.e. packing up the boards, making coffee, packing your work clothes, making lunch… etc. This “forgetfulness” is often driven by the desire to stay in our warm, cozy bed as long as possible. However, giving yourself extra time allows you to get everything done and feel prepared for the day. The last thing you want is feeling frazzled before the sun is even up. If you end up with a little extra time, no worries; you’ll either have more time in the water or extra time to shower off before work.
Change Your Obnoxious Alarm
I don’t know about you, but for me, the startling jolt of the alarm clock is one of the most stressful parts of the day. It starts your morning off in a state of stress and confusion, and it’s all too easy to unintentionally carry those feelings with you throughout the day. Instead of starting your day with the sharp “WAHHH” of the alarm clock, find an app that allows your phone to play soft, soothing music to wake you up. This will allow you to gradually come out of your deep sleep, and you won’t be so on edge when you open your eyes.
If you’re worried about sleeping through a softer alarm, have the music start earlier than you would normally set your alarm. This will give you more time to come out of your deep sleep before you need to get the day started. If you’re still worried, you can even set the old stressful alarm after the music. Your body will have already woken part of the way up, so it won’t be quite so stressful when the “WAHHH” finally comes.
Drink Lemon Water
Before you brew the coffee or shove down a banana, chug a glass of warm water with lemon juice. The mixture helps kick start your digestive tract and metabolism so your belly is ready to keep you fueled throughout the day. It also helps your body eliminate toxins that may have accumulated in the digestive tract overnight, and it will keep any food that remains in your system moving so you can process new nutrients from breakfast. This is by far the best simple thing you can do to support your digestive system in the morning.
