Your Morning Sets the Tone for the Day

Steal my morning routine for positive mindset hacks

Photo by Dane Wetton on Unsplash

Your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day, so starting the day with a positive mindset helps you think more positively all day long! Everything in your life begins as a thought, so the more positively you think, the happier your life will become! Prioritizing a healthy morning routine allows you to create a life that you love, one step at a time.

Start Your Day with Intention

First thing in the morning, your mind is still in a theta state from sleep. This means your subconscious mind is more accessible than other times of the day. Anything you read, write, say or listen to at this time of day will penetrate more deeply into your subconscious (where most of your thinking takes place!). This can either be an opportunity or a hinderance, depending on hos you use it.

Instead of scrolling, say affirmations or listen to upbeat music.

When you scroll or listen to news first thing in the morning, you’re taking the information more deeply into your mind. That means, any disturbing information is going to effect you more deeply if that’s what you’re focused on first thing.

On the other hand, if you say affirmations then you’re literally telling your subconscious to believe something positive.

According to Dr. David Hamilton,

Scientists have since discovered that when people write self-affirmations, they tend to subsequently make positive, healthy, life choices and even feel a stronger, larger sense of self.

Even better than just saying or writing affirmations, is looking into the mirror, looking into your eyes when you say them. This makes the brain interpret the affirmations as being said to you by another person, which gives them a deeper impact.

There are also tons of great affirmation songs out there to help you start the day with a dose of positivity and motivation. This is one of my favorites lately:

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Switch Up Coffee for Matcha

I know this makes me sound like some kind of trendy hipster, but I’ve been doing this for about a month now and it’s been helping a lot. Especially if you have anxiety, all the caffeine in coffee can make you more anxious than you would be otherwise. Since matcha has less caffeine, it can help your anxiety to make the switch.

In addition, there are other benefits to drinking Matcha or other green teas. Harvard Health says that Matcha has the following health benefits:

• A meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that antioxidants called catechins found in green tea help lower blood pressure and LDL (andamp;ldquo;bad”) cholesterol levels. Rutin, a bioflavonoid found in matcha, also contributes to these effects.
• Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory effects.
• The amino acid L-theanine, found in matcha, has been associated with improved concentration and alertness.
• Antioxidants and polyphenols may help improve insulin sensitivity.

If this doesn’t convince you, at least try a cup and see if you like it. Personally, the taste reminds me of this wonderful green tea icecream I used to buy by the gallon when I was back in college. There are also oat milk varieties if you’re vegan or want a healthier option.

Get Outside

Even if it’s only for a few minutes, having a hot drink on the patio can make a big difference in your mood. Sunshine has many benefits for your physical and mental health as well! Also, when it comes to spirituality, being in nature can help you come into alignment with something more than yourself.

Gentle Movement

If you get a little bit of exercise first thing in the morning, it can give you a boost of endorphins (feel-good brain chemicals). Here are 10 Benefits of Working Out in the Morning, According to Hinge Health:

• Increase your chances of following through.
• Boost energy.
• Amp up productivity.
• Relieve pain and stiffness.
• Encourage healthier eating.
• Increase activity overall.
• Create an “I-can-do-it” attitude.
• Rev your metabolism.
• May enhance weight loss.
• More time to enjoy the benefits.

Even if you don’t have time to go to the gym in the morning, not to worry! Personally, I love to start my day with yoga or taking a walk. There are tons of videos you can use to exercise at home on YouTube that you can do in 5–10 minutes with no equipment. If you don’t have time, you can try taking the stairs instead of the elevator to your office instead. Even just a few jumping jacks before you hop in the shower!

Some of my other favorite morning habits, depending on how much time I have every day, include:

• Journaling
• Meditation
• Skincare
• Drinking a Smoothie

What are your favorite things to do in the morning? Let me know in the comments! Whatever you decide to try, make sure you do something just for yourself first thing in the morning. Remember, you’re the main character in your life. By prioritizing self care, you’re training your brain to think of yourself as the most important thing in your life!

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