HABIT 21
Too many of us rush around from the very moment we open our eyes. The alarm pulls us from our dreams and we get caught up in a whirlwind of rushed preparations for the day, chaos and confusion and stress, and spend far too much time hunting the car keys, choosing what to wear, wrestling the kids into appropriate clothing or asking them to brush their teeth. It’s making me feel frazzled just thinking about it!
Now imagine you could start your day in a whole different way. Imagine you could wake slowly, welcome the morning with open arms and gently blow the cobwebs of sleep away from your body. Imagine a calm, soothing, peaceful start to the day. Sounds awesome, doesn’t it?
You can make this dream become a reality by changing the way you look at your morning and starting some new healthy habits that will take your mood from stressed to soothed.
Here’s what you need to do:
• Collect and prepare everything that you’ll need for your day the night before
• Wake at least ten minutes earlier and give yourself extra time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts before you launch out of bed
• Use this time to reflect and ask yourself what you are grateful for, to encourage a positive mindset (see ‘Habit 26’ for more detail)
• Start the day right by making the time to enjoy a short yoga session, a series of stretches, positive affirmations or meditation
• Mentally plan out your day while you are in the shower and uninterrupted - focus on your priorities first
• Make time to enjoy a healthy and wholesome breakfast, such as oatmeal with fresh berries, to fuel you for the day ahead
Implementing a ‘slow’ morning routine rather than a tensed, stressed one will help you and your family start the day with a smile and an air of positivity.