1. Avoid changing your sleeping pattern
Our first tip on how to wake up happy is – try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Going to bed too early or too late can actually make you feel more tired the next day. Our body clocks like a regular rhythm, so changing your sleeping pattern often will give you the same symptoms as jet lag. Adults need around eight hours sleep a day; and don’t lie in at the weekends, it will make you feel worse when Monday comes around again.
2. When you wake up, SMILE and focus on the new, beautiful today!
When you wake up, make sure that smile is the first thing you do in the morning! This simple ‘smiling ritual’ will automatically set you up for a great, positive mood and will make your new day appear brighter and happier; then get up and think about the brand new, beautiful day ahead. If you lie in bed, pondering about the past and the future problems and regrets, all these heavy thoughts will seem insurmountable, especially, as you still are half asleep. Just focus on all the blessings of the new day, positivity and gratitude…these uplifting thoughts and feelings will make your morning a lot brighter!
3. Begin your day with a joyful song, dancing and some exercise
A great way to start your day with motivation and joy is dancing! Dance, while singing your favorite song. A brief bit of stretching and physical exercise will also help shake off the sleepy feeling and get you going in the morning. You don’t necessarily need a full workout, but exercise releases endorphins in your body, which are the body’s very own ‘happy’ chemical that will make you feel terrific!
4. Create a motivation board
Your partner may not be too keen on you hanging up a huge white board in your bedroom, but having your dreams and aspirations represented in pictures and written large, where you can see them first thing in the morning, will remind you why you are getting up, will give you wings of enthusiasm and recharge your motivation batteries.
5. Tidy your home
If you wake up to a cluttered environment and last night’s dishes still are in the sink, this is hardly going to be an inspirational start to the day. De-cluttering your home and your work space really can put you in a better frame of mind and help you to nurture those positive feelings.
6. Set goals and then, set mini-goals
The big, life changing, goals are the ones that will inspire you to action every the morning, but, on the way to those big goals, there will be many smaller goals to achieve along the way. Be aware of the smaller, stepping stone goals and be sure to congratulate and reward yourself with something pleasant, every time you achieve one. Each step achieved is a step closer to your big goal!
7. Become aware of what is around you – be present in the NOW!
Take the time to notice the little things that are around you; you can’t enjoy life, if don’t know how to be present in the moment and how to notice life happening. Take your thoughts away from work and problems and just take a look around, be present, enjoy the now and feel grateful; the world is a wonderful place, when you take the time to look…
8. Ready for enthusiastic productivity?
Have a plan for the day and stick to it. Flitting from one thing to another and finishing none, will only make the day seem a waste of time and you won’t feel inspired to tackle the next day. Some people like to prepare a list of things to do in the evening, so that in the morning you are all set and ready for action. Another great tip is to write only three most important and major things you want to accomplish in your day; avoid making lists that are too long, because it can only discourage you from action and lead to procrastination, instead of enthusiastic productivity.
9. Take regular breaks in the day
If you know that you face a solid twelve hours of work, then you are not going to be looking forward to it, so make sure to schedule regular, small breaks in your day. Studies have shown that you do your best work in the first ninety minutes, after which your productivity tails off, so taking a short break after ninety minutes will set you up for the next ninety nicely.
10. Always aim to look your best
When you look your best, you feel more confident and more able to do things well. Even if you work from home, smartening yourself up in the morning will make you feel far more motivated and ready for action.
How do you like to start your day? What gives you motivation and joy in the morning? Please, share your thoughts and tips on how to wake up happy in the morning in the comment section below.
Stay happy!
