Did You Wake Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed Today?
Even though both sides of your bed may look the same, you’ve probably heard the old saying about waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Scientists have discovered that there’s some truth to the idea.
Being stressed in the morning sets you up for a difficult day even if nothing stressful really happens.
Researchers at Penn State University asked 240 adults to use their smartphones to fill out stress surveys and complete working memory exercises multiple times each day. Participants who were the most stressed in the morning had the most difficulty learning and remembering information in the afternoon.
If you want to feel happier and work more productively, start your day with a positive attitude. Use these tips to deal with stress in the morning or anytime.
How to Reduce Morning Stress
Mornings can be a busy time for many of us. Plan ahead so you’ll be able to stay calm while you take care of your responsibilities.
Try these tips to have a more enjoyable morning:
Wake up earlier. Give yourself more time in the morning to enjoy a quiet space and avoid rushing around. Maybe you can meditate and/or exercise while your children are still in bed or be the early bird at your office.
Prepare the night before. Streamline your mornings by getting a head start the night before. Lay out your clothing and pack your lunch in you are traveling to work. By getting clear on your morning routine and planning several basic work objectives for the morning and the day you will be preparing yourself for success.
Meditate daily. A regular meditation practice can transform your day. Sit down for 5 or 10 minutes (or more) to focus on your breath and still your thoughts. Listening to super relaxing and uplifting music, binuaral beats or a guided meditation can sweeten your experience.
Repeat affirmations. Recite a phrase or three that you find energizing or soothing. Make them brief, positive, and action-oriented. My favorite affirmation channel on Youtube is Bob Baker Inspiration, that contains both short and long affirmation tracks for the morning (and evening as well)
Go offline. The morning news and social media often carry images that may be too disturbing for the early hours. Focus on your morning routine first thing, check the weather and traffic if you need to. and save heavier content for later.
Work out. Exercise dissolves tension and enhances your mood. Go for a run in the park or take a yoga class before work. You can find many virtual exercise class and routines online, some as short as 5 minutes (that still get your heart going)
Eat breakfast. Your body needs to refuel in the morning. Eat a hearty breakfast with protein and healthy fats. Caffeine can increase anxiety, so try drinking a glass or two of water when you get up and wait an hour or two before indulging in your favorite caffeinated drink. (Mine is a shot of Liquid Focus by More Labs)
Plan your day. Take control of your schedule by setting priorities and blocking out your time. Focus on scheduling time for the most urgent and important tasks you need to complete.
How to Deal with Negative Expectations
While morning stress seems to be particularly powerful, anticipating trouble is something you may deal with at any hour.
Use these strategies anytime you’re feeling anxious about what’s ahead:
Do some tapping. My favorite technique for reducing stress is easy to learn and to administer. The best thing about tapping is that it really works to dependably reduce unpleasant feelings and stress most times in a few minutes. You can learn more about tapping at www.activateyourgreatness.com/tapping
Distract yourself. Sometimes anticipating an event is more unpleasant than the
event itself. Spend the night before your root canal watching a funny movie
instead of dreading the dentist’s office.Plan something fun. If you have to spend your morning being audited, spend
the afternoon visiting your favorite art museum or baking a fabulous dessert. You tend to remember the things that happen last.Reframe your thoughts. The way you think about an event affects your experience, so look on the bright side. That dental appointment may make you more comfortable in the long run, and that tax audit can be an opportunity to put your finances in order.
Talk it over. Any challenge seems smaller when you reach out for support. Let your family and friends know when you need help.
Just looking forward to the day ahead may make you happier and more successful. Banish morning stress by becoming more organized and taking care of your mental and physical health.
If you are a motivated business owner who wants to experience the power of coaching (for free), book a call with me and let me help you to get clearer, more unstoppable and happier as a business person. You can sign up here: https://calendly.com/coachjoemitchell/15min
Joe Mitchell, Esquire is a High-Performance Coach and EFT (Tapping) Practitioner, who has logged over 35 years of in-depth study of personal and spiritual development. In his studies, he has done hundreds of self-development courses, spiritual retreats, and health-related workshops. Coach Joe is a certified yoga teacher, meditation teacher, NLP Practitioner, and a graduate of four coaching academies. Two years after he graduated from Harvard Law School, he became a monk for five years. In 2016, after over 20 years as a solo criminal and personal injury attorney, he decided to turn his heart's passion into a career as a Success Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Trainer. For information on Coach Joe’s programs, high-performance videos and to apply for a Free Clear and Unstoppable Strategy Session click the following link https://calendly.com/coachjoemitchell/15min