Do you wake up in the morning full of energy and looking forward to the day? (I hear you laughing). Well maybe on days off or when something exciting is happening like a holiday or a Taylor Swift concert. On a serious note, many people wake up feeling tired, unmotivated to get out of bed, dreading the day ahead, or stressed because there’s so much to do. So, how do we wake up feeling the best we can and start our day as calm and content as possible? Here are a few tips.
Don’t rush getting up
Many of us get up in a rush and so we start our day already feeling stressed. Try setting the alarm just a little bit earlier so you can ease yourself out of bed or have a bit of me time before you get the kids ready for the day or get to work.
Do something enjoyable first up
Do you need to move your routine around, so you have something to look forward to when you first wake up? You could make your favourite breakfast, do a social sport, read your book, watch a bit of TV or enjoy a coffee.
Be prepared the night before
Get ready the night before so you’re not rushing in the morning. Lay your clothes out for the day ahead, get your lunch and snacks ready to grab on your way out, put your medications out and have all you need ready to go.
Get a good night’s sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is also important. Plan to go to bed at a reasonable time, do your relaxation well before you’re tired, get ready for bed earlier and make sure your bed and room are comfortable for sleeping. Simple tips include ensuring you’re not too hot or cold, your room is dark and quiet enough, you feel relaxed before getting into bed and turn off your devices in plenty of time, so they don’t keep you awake.
Have some calm on the way to work and school
On your way to work or school, leave plenty of time so you’re not rushing through traffic. Put something relaxing on to listen to in the car or do some deep breathing and talk to yourself calmly.
Take it one step at a time
It’s quite normal for individuals to experience mood fluctuations during the day, and mornings can be particularly tough for some. Keep it simple and take it one step at a time. When you first wake up, don’t think about the whole day ahead, just think about getting a cup of tea or having some breakfast. Your mood often improves as the day goes on.
Talk to someone
If you’re really struggling with low mood, anxiety and stress every morning, you might find talking to someone, like a psychologist, about your worries and troubles helpful. Here’s a resource to help you get started; psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist
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