We all know that last year changed the game for everybody. Life has been challenging to say the least and we all are trying to navigate these tough waters. Speaking from personal experience I know that last year I found myself in a funk. However, what I learned that the key to daily motivation is consistency. For me that was creating a new morning routine. When you get up in the morning and have a set routine it will truly the set the tone for the rest of your day. So here are some ways to get you motivated for your day:
Wake up & make that bed. In a 2014 commencement speech at University of Texas at Austin, Admiral McRaven shared his thoughts on this. “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another,” he said. “By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.
No phone for the first 30 min of the day Let’s face it – we are on our phones all the time. We fall asleep to them & wake up to them – it’s bad. When we do this we are actually creating an addiction. Here’s why: Most of the activities on our phone (if not all of them) release dopamine in the brain which is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Over time your brain has associated your phone with ‘dopamine’ which is what our body naturally craves more of. So in order to break this unhealthy cycle try and avoid that phone for at least 30 min! What you can do during that time instead is stretch your body or wash your face!
Breathwork Before the craziness of the day get starts & you check that inbox that never seems to get to 0 take a few minutes in the morning to sit down and BREATHE. One women that I recently followed on Instagram is Evolve by Erika (@inkale.exkale) where she shares how Kundalini breathwork has changed her life. You can read more about this awesome practice HERE. Another way to practice breathing is through meditation. An app that I have been using for a year now is Headspace (7 Day Trial offered) where they offer guided mediations & give you tips on how to deal with stress/anxiety.
Set Daily Goals Another way to get your day started on the right foot is to write down your goals for the day. I know in the past I have made unrealistic goals by trying to accomplish more than I could & I ended up accomplishing none of it. Instead set realistic goals for the day & take care of those little mundane tasks. A great piece of advice I heard recently was to a task that you are procrastinating for 5 min (use a timer even if you have to). Then once that 5 min you’ll find yourself getting more & more into that task (it’s about getting the ball rolling). With all of that, I love using The Five Minute Journal where you can write down your goals for the day & then reflect when the day is done.
Enjoy A Healthy Breakfast When all of that is done you should wrap up your morning with a healthy breakfast like steel cut oatmeal, avocado toast, or egg whites. Plus, if you are like me and enjoy your morning coffee you should try the healthier alternative Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen. All you do is put 1-2 scoops in hot/cold water, almond milk, etc. It will help provide energy and focus throughout your day!
While changing up your routine can be difficult it truly is the small things in life that make BIG difference. Let us know your thoughts!
