How you can make or break your day when your feet first hit the ground
Written by Karli Moats
Every day we are given 24 hours. Here’s how the first few can make all the rest go better.
Do What You Can the Night Before
Lay some clothes out, know what you’ll eat for breakfast, and don’t leave tasks undone. One reason why we don’t get out of bed is we don’t want to think about what we have to do. Now, you don’t have to.
No Social Media Before 9:30 AM.
It has become our universal response when facing something we don’t want to do: checkout social media, funny memes, and zany videos. Avoid this time-suck until you’ve got your metaphorical motor running.
Get Out Of Bed Within 60 Seconds
The snooze bar puts a real damper on the day. Instead of attacking the day, you come at it like a wet noodle. It’s like a sports team coming out of the tunnel walking timidly, instead of running aggressively. Some people have built a snooze-hitting habit that continually derails their schedule. If you’re five minutes late to your first commitment, it can throw off the rest of the day. Get out of bed quick by having a glass of water right by your bed. Drink some water as soon as your eyes open, to get the metabolism going and rehydrate. Second, place the alarm clock out of reach. Third, open your blinds to let in natural light.
Watch Your Thoughts
“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day,” says Elizabeth Gilbert, author of best selling Eat, Pray, Love. “This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.”
When you wake up in the morning think of what you do and create positive thoughts towards those tasks. Remember who and what you’re working for, namely your family, a more secure future, or a future accomplishment.
Focus on Verb Goals
Productivity guru David Allen says that for each task or goal, start with a verb. For example, instead of simply stating “Friday presentation,” say “create powerpoint, search for images, and practice speech.” The more specific you are the greater success you will have with each task throughout the day. You better grasp what you’re accomplishing, and you don’t let yourself procrastinate until the last minute.
Should You Shower Hot Or Cold (er)?
You should probably do both, as there are benefits to both hotter and colder showers.
Morning Heat
- Relieve tension, ease pain of stiff muscles
- Ease anxiety
- Relieve cold symptoms
Morning Cool
- Wake up the body, get circulation going
- May help with symptoms of depression
- Better for hair and skin
- Cold water also helps muscles and inflammation
Fun fact: Katherine Hepburn was an outspoken advocate of cold showers.