“Some
might be afraid that a meditation session early in the morning could
just put you back to sleep. But genuine meditation actually stimulates
the brain in a deep and thoughtful way. It allows you to clear
distractions from your mind and purge negative energy. Center yourself
with thoughtful introspection or prayer and be open to the positive
energy the world brings your way.“
Some people find mornings filled with
optimism, while others would just as soon stay in bed until the clock
passes the noon hour. For most, however, the workday beckons and the
morning is a mad rush to get everyone ready and out the door. By the
time you reach the office, you’ve probably already dealt with the stress
of family, weather, traffic and other distractions.
Unless everything goes perfectly, you’ll carry all that stress into
your office and share it throughout the day with your employees and
colleagues.
Fear not, it is possible to get the
day started right, no matter what comes your way. Try one of these tips
each day of the week or combine them. Either way, you’ll start out on
your terms and be prepared to make it a great day.
1. Plan the night before. Why
start your day unorganized? If you organize your to-do-list, breakfast
menu and your clothes the night before, you’ll wake up feeling in
control and relaxed. Taking 20 minutes to lay out everything can save
you a 30-minute fashion crisis or search for the car keys. With a little efficiency, you’ll save the frustration and scrambling, leaving you ready to tackle more important issues.
2. Try 15 minutes of meditation. Some
might be afraid that a meditation session early in the morning could
just put you back to sleep. But genuine meditation actually stimulates
the brain in a deep and thoughtful way. It allows you to clear
distractions from your mind and purge negative energy. Center yourself
with thoughtful introspection or prayer and be open to the positive energy the world brings your way.
3. Begin with inspirational reading. Part
of my morning ritual easily allows for reading first thing. Many read
the news, which can be a sad way to start the day. Buy a few books that
are uplifting, inspiring, or even humorous for your first brain stimulus. This will give you positive, fun thoughts to keep you energized throughout the day.
4. Open your eyes to fresh flowers. If
the first thing you see when you wake up is a dingy wall or barren
winter yard, you can certainly improve those critical few minutes with a
pleasing splash of color. Research suggests that exposure to bright
colors in the early morning raises your spirits and energy. So pick up a pleasant bouquet every few days and set it right in your view.
5. Trade coffee for green tea. Coffee
is a great stimulant, but sometimes it can over-stimulate and the acid
can make your stomach uncomfortable. Try a soothing cup of green tea to
start instead. You’ll still get the caffeine you crave (just a bit
less), plus healthy antioxidants. It’s cheaper and healthier than a
double caramel mochaccino, too. You can still get the java mid-morning
if you want it, but you may find you don’t even need it since the crash
won’t be as severe.
6. Do some yoga. Exercise
is a great stimulant to wake you up, and make you feel good. It’s good
for the body and pumping those endorphins makes your mind happy and
alert. Cardio is great, but for the whole body approach, add a little yoga into
your routine. You’ll control your breath, stretch your muscles and
generate energy. Your body and mind will be one and ready to conquer the
world.
7. Schedule a hopeful appointment. I
never feel more energized getting out of bed than when I have an
important meeting about an exciting opportunity. The prospect of a fun
and productive encounter usually
wakes me with a smile and often without an alarm clock. I purposefully
schedule as many meetings like this as possible. That way I get as many
great days as I want.
(Source: INC)
Comments