Waking up can be hard to do. Especially for me… I’ve either had a rough night, or just didn’t get to bed on time (I have kids) and could have used more sleep. When the morning arrives and I feel like I would rather hibernate than get out of bed, here are some ways I try to kick-start my day and get things started on a good foot. At least a girl can hope.
1. Play My Favorite Upbeat Music
If you are able to, use your favorite upbeat music as an alarm. Many smart phones now have this option and it can mean the difference between a scowl and a smile as you rise for the day. Even if you are not able to wake up to your favorite music, play it as soon as you can in order to put a jump in your step. Using music you enjoy dancing to is even better as it will get the blood flowing and naturally wake you up in a way that feels positive.
2. Drink Warm Lemon Water
As soon as you can make your way to the kitchen, grab a glass of warm water, squeeze half of a fresh lemon into it and then enjoy. Always use fresh lemon, not bottled… and warm water is best. This combination will give your immune system a boost and prepare it for a new day of challenges. It is also a great energy giver, and is beneficial for digestion, healing your body, and balancing your pH levels.
3. Exercise
When you wake up, one of the best things you can do after a full night’s sleep is move your body. It doesn’t matter so much what you do, or how long you do it for. All that matters is you are trying. You can jump on a mini rebounder, skip rope, or even walk in place. As long as you move you are going to reap the benefits of it.
If you don’t have time for a long workout, make a promise to give yourself even 5 or 10 minutes. This gets your lymph moving in order to help remove toxins from your system. Nobody wants those. It also helps improve circulation, and is a great idea after being stationary the whole night.
4. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
If you want to have a great day, you need to eat a great breakfast. Your body needs good fuel to function properly. Instead of pouring yourself a bowl of junk cereal, choose a healthy and balanced meal which gives you a variety of nutrients. Be sure to include protein as this will help to stabilize your blood sugar and keep you full for a greater amount of time.
5. Get Some Quiet Time
You needn’t do this in excess to gain great benefits from it. Giving oneself even 5 minutes of quiet time after waking up is a great way to centre oneself and find balance before taking on the day. You can do any quiet activity of your choosing during this short time, depending on your preference. Some ideas include stretching, yoga, prayer, reading or even knitting. Anything that makes you feel balanced and calm will do the job.
Mornings are not always easy, but there are ways to make them more manageable. Choose at least a few of the above tips to change your mornings from blah to beautiful with minimal effort. Soon, even if you don’t consider yourself a “morning person”, you may find yourself looking forward to your morning rituals as they become a time to kick-start your day in an amazing way.
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