6 habits to a mindful start to your day

Why is a mindful start to your day important?

Having some time for yourself in the morning is nice, and yes, the most successful people in the world do it too. But a mindful beginning of your day, also has a big effect on your overall well-being. Here are some of the positive impacts:

• It reduces stress and anxiety:
  When you start your day mindfully, you give yourself time to relax, reflect and focus on the present moment. This lowers stress and anxiety levels, and makes you feel calmer and clearer.
• It improves mental clarity and focus:
  Mindful habits make you more productive and efficient, because they give you mental clarity and focus. That is enough of a reason to start your day mindful, right?
• They increase self-awareness:
  Beginning your day mindfully makes you more aware of your thoughts and emotions. The result is that you won’t be swept away by every thought or emotion that comes up. And this will have a positive effect on how you feel.
• It boosts positivity and gratitude:
  Mindful habits give you a more positive and grateful mindset. You will feel more optimistic and see things from the sunny side. That will make life much easier!

This all sounds good, right? So let’s dive into some habits that will make you the most mindful version of you.

6 HABITS TO A MINDFUL START TO YOUR MORNING

1 No snoozing

We know it’s tempting, but no hitting that snooze button in the morning. With snoozing, you disrupt your natural sleep cycle, because you fall in- and out of sleep. The body doesn’t like that, and it can leave you feeling groggy and disoriented.

Instead, set your alarm for a time that gives you enough sleep. Let the sound of your alarm be the start sign of a new day that you’re ready to jump into immediately!

2 No phone

Repeat after us: ‘I start my day without my phone’. No checking your phone first thing in the morning. Scrolling through social media or checking emails can be overwhelming and puts you in a reactive mode. This may influence how you feel negatively.

Instead, resist the urge to check your phone until after you’ve completed your morning routine. This way you give yourself the time to be present and prepare for the day positively. Take time for you. Everything else can wait. Really

3 Listen to uplifting music

Listening to uplifting music can help set a positive tone for your day. Choose music that makes you feel happy and energized, and listen to it while you’re getting ready in the morning. This will help up your mood and set a positive tone (literally) for the day that’s to come.

4 (Gratitude) Journal

Maybe you’ve heard before that journaling is a good morning habit. It is! But if you don’t have a lot of time, it can be a challenge to sit down and journal. That’s why gratitude journaling is a good alternative to full journaling. Just write down 3 things you’re grateful for that day. When you’re grateful, your mind is focused on the things that are going well. So this is a great booster.

Do you have more time? Great! Also write down how you want to feel that day, what your goals are, and/or how you’re going to make that happen. Keep it short and sweet, so it’s easy to do!

5 Exercise

Of course, exercise is a great way to begin your day to lift your spirit. Whether you prefer yoga, running, or weightlifting, find a workout that you love and make it a part of your morning routine.

Better yet, start your day right by trying out TrainMore for free with our day pass. That will surely boost your day! Grab your free day pass here:

6 Meditate

Meditation is a great way to start your day right. Just take a few minutes (3 – 5), sit and focus on your breath.

If you don’t like sitting, you can meditate while walking as well! Walk slowly and mindfully, pay attention to the sensations of your feet touching the floor and follow your breath. You can do this indoors or outdoors. Whichever form you choose, it’s a great and grounded start to your day!

Which of these habits are you going to try?