There is something optimistic and beautiful about a morning. It signifies that the past is gone and the future is what you need to look forward to. Mornings can make a person reflective, where your mind is clean like a slate and you can write your story for the day. Setting the right morning habits is key to maintaining a great to to every day.
According to scientific research the brain is at the state of theta waves just as you wake up i.e the REM sleep (dream) state. In theta state you can change your thinking pattern and create whatever you set out to do. The theta brain waves are supposed to be the subconscious state of the mind. They lie between the conscious and sub conscious where you preserve recollections and thoughts. This is a very powerful state of consciousness that can help you to transform your life.It is also said that meditating in this state will help to turn your dreams into reality.
We all know the age old quotation ‘early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’. Well, it still holds good even today. An early riser is sure to be a winner. Here are five essential habits to start your day:
1. Smile in the morning; it costs nothing
Laughter is the best medicine so smile when you get up. You needn’t think about anything specific, just be thankful for having this remarkable life and smile to yourself. It’ll make you feel good. Remember that you only need 17 facial muscles to smile where as it take 43 muscles to frown. Morning quotes can be a source of reflection, humor and inspiration so be sure to read some of these first thing. Smile your way and see that life is beautiful and gorgeous all day long.
2. Make your bed
As soon as you get up fold the blanket and straighten the sheets. When you see your bedroom in order there is an inner calm. It also underlines the fact that small things matter. Since making your bed will be the first task you’ll accomplish early in the morning, it’ll set a trend for the whole day to achieve more and more. In case your day doesn’t go well, then you can come back to a neat bed that was made by you; giving you hope that tomorrow will be better.
3. Do yoga for just five to ten minutes
Before having breakfast, do yoga or stretch exercises. After a night in bed, muscles become stiff and it’s better to stretch them. If you’re an outdoor person then take a walk. Else just do a few yoga asanas to keep your limbs supple. Vrikshasana (tree pose), Adho Mukhasana (dog pose), Marjariasana (cat pose), Bitilasana (cow pose) and Suryanamaskar (salutations to Sun) will invigorate you and give a head start to an amazing day. All these will take you five to ten minutes. These asanas (poses) will help you to stretch your limbs and get flexible. The deep breathing (pranayam) that you’ll be doing along will help to remove toxins from the body and oxygen to enter. This will make you feel fresh and upbeat.
4. Coffee / Tea meditation
You needn’t take time out exclusively to meditate. Drinking your early morning cuppa can become your meditating time. Find a quiet corner in your home where you’ll sit and drink your early morning cuppa every day. It can be in your patio or by the window, let it be the same place where you sit daily. Sit in silence and concentrate on the cup at hand. The aroma of coffee or tea fills the nostrils helping you to relax. Sipping is the best way to lighten up and de-stress. Concentrate on drinking your cuppa and obstruct everything else. This can do miracles to your body and mind.
5. Have a hearty breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Once you’ve had a wholesome breakfast you can even skip lunch but if you skip breakfast then you’re sure to land up with acidity and grumpy feeling. Eat a wholesome breakfast of eggs, bacon, fruits, milk and juice. If you’re hard pressed of time, then at least munch on an apple, nutribar and drink juice. See to it that you chew your food well. Avoid eating stale food. Eat fresh and home cooked food as far as possible. When you start your day on a full stomach you’ll be invigorated to work throughout the day.
Things to avoid early in the morning would be not to look at your notifications and texts on your phone. Do that on your way to work. Also avoid having loud music first thing in the morning.
Follow these 5 amazing early morning routines and see your life transform into a happy, successful and spirited one.