10 Positive Ways to Start Your Day

Getting a good start in the morning is the difference between having a mentally and physically good day and a terrible day. Unfortunately, starting the day off the right way isn’t as easy as it sounds. If it was, we’d all be doing it well.

The key is to be intentional about how we start our day. We shouldn’t be bleary-eyed and on automatic pilot in the morning. The goal isn’t simply to shower and get out the door on time. Rather, the morning is the foundation for the rest of our day. It is a time of preparation. As a result, everything that we do – from what we eat to what we think about should be for the purpose of having a peaceful mind and a strong body. As a result, not only will we enjoy our day, but we will be ready for whatever challenges come our way. So consider doing the following, so that you can have a positive start to your day.

Eat Well

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Forgoing breakfast and running out the door with only a cup of coffee puts you on track for an unproductive morning. Our bodies need healthy food to start the day. The problem is that those breakfast foods that are simple to prepare (e.g. cereal, pastries) are also the ones that are highly processed and full of sugar. Admittedly, preparing a healthy breakfast does take a little bit of extra effort. However, your payoff will be an increased mental and physical energy throughout the day. So consider making oatmeal or a scrambled egg with toast in the morning. Or bake blueberry muffins on the weekend, freeze them and then eat them throughout the week. Wholesome food is the best fuel to get your day going the right way.

Get Up Earlier Than Necessary

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There is nothing worse than rushing in the morning. It is a recipe for being stressed out and frustrated for the rest of the day. Get up early enough so that you can (a) have a relaxed breakfast, (b) get out the door with 15 minutes to spare, and (c) leave your home with the bed made and the breakfast dishes cleaned up. Having extra time in the morning also allows you to deal with the unexpected – having to sign a child’s homework or permission slip, cleaning up an accidental spill, etc. When you build in a little extra time into your morning, not only will your day start off in a relaxed fashion, but you’ll return to a home that is tidy and clean.

Set Small Goals for the Day

Many of us feel like life is passing us by, and we aren’t realizing our dreams. Very often that is because we spend too much time meeting the needs of others. Take charge of your life, and start making your dreams a priority. One way to do that is to write a daily “small goal” list. If you old-fashioned, like me, you may write your goals on a piece of paper. If you are a techie, you may put them on your phone. Either way, it is good to jot down some small personal goals each day that you reasonably can complete. Setting daily goals is the way to ensure that part of your day is spent meeting your priorities – not just the priorities of others. You will be amazed at the progress you make toward your dreams when you consistently meet smaller, daily goals.