Usually, when you get a good night’s sleep, you wake up refreshed and smiling. Your good mood can last all day, and you tend to be more optimistic. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to start your morning on a positive note.
How you prepare the night before will often improve your mood in the morning. If you review your schedule for the next day and prepare in advance, you won’t feel rushed when you wake up. Also, self-care rituals at night, such as relaxing baths and beauty treatments, prepare you for restful sleep.
15 Tips to Smile and Feel More Positive
Want to discover ways to wake up on the right side of the bed and be more positive throughout the day? It can be as simple as changing up your evening rituals or adding a few tasks. Try these helpful tips to boost your morning mood and keep it going throughout the day.
1. Remember your dreams
Even if you don’t remember your dreams at night, you still have them. An article published by the International Association for the Study of Dreams explains that everyone dreams. This article states that during rapid eye movement, or REM, your dreams are more vivid.
Many cultures and religious traditions believe that dreams are your body’s way of understanding what is happening in your life. Consider keeping a pen and paper by your bedside at night to record your dreams. You can write them down at night or after waking up in the morning.
Tracking your dreams can be a tool to discover clues about what’s troubling you by looking at your life from a different perspective. Reviewing your sleep journal can be a tool to find solutions and help you feel better. You will spend more mornings smiling and optimistic in your days.
2. Practice starting the day with a smile
If you need an exercise that will give you more benefits, then consider starting your mornings on a happier note. Plus, stretching and warming up your muscles means less stiffness and joint pain throughout the day. Even going for a morning walk for just fifteen to twenty minutes can make a noticeable difference.
Plan your morning exercise routine early so that it doesn’t cut into your time for other daily activities. Exercising encourages your brain to release endorphins, often called “feel-good” hormones. By smiling all the time, you strengthen and tone your muscles.
3. Start smiling when you put the phone away in the wee hours of the night
It’s hard to believe, but without cell phones, computers, and other technology, people have lived well for thousands of years. If you’re like most people, the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is grab your phone. Of course, you may need to check urgent messages or missed calls, but non-essentials can wait.
Why does your day start with email, spam, and countless social media dramas? Plus, it wastes time that could be spent doing something more productive. Smile at your loved ones instead of scrolling through your phone and tagging them with smiley emoticons.
4. Meditate to stay positive throughout the day
Remember those feel-good hormones called endorphins? You can strengthen them even when you are busy thinking. If you take a few minutes each morning to meditate, you will be more centered and clear throughout the day.
Sitting alone with your thoughts can also reduce your stress levels. Less stress means you’ll have more energy and be more optimistic. A boost in your mood can help you smile instead of frown.
5. Count your blessings
Although there are problems in life, there are still many blessings. Practice making a list of things you’re grateful for every morning. Think of your family, friends, pets, home, work, and everything else that brings joy to your life. A grateful heart and a smiling face tell the world that you are truly blessed.
6. Relax with a cup of tea or coffee
Perhaps nothing makes your morning better than freshly brewed coffee. Maybe you prefer to read the morning paper with a cup of tea.
Make your favorite drinks refreshing and enjoyable so you can savor them more easily. Set your electric brewer to start minutes before your alarm clock goes off. You can also treat yourself to a local coffee shop.
Trying to cut or eliminate caffeine from your diet? Why not enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee or herbal tea? Choose herbal teas that help reduce stress and improve your mood.
7. Eat a healthy breakfast
Do you often head out the door in the morning with nothing but a cup of java? Your parents advise you to eat a balanced breakfast for a good reason. An article published by the University of Michigan explains that it helps your body perform at its best.
Give yourself fifteen to twenty minutes in the morning to enjoy breakfast with your family. Choose lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and healthy fats. Boarding is a treasure trove of quick and easy recipes. You can prepare a nutritious breakfast in advance.
8. Write in your journal
Think of your journal as a close friend with whom you can share your deepest thoughts and dreams. Journaling has many benefits, from improving mood to minimizing stress. It only takes a few minutes to jot down your ideas and goals for each new day.
This can be part of your morning meditation practice. When you sit down with your journal in the evenings, you can reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Not only can journals give voice to your emotions, but they can also boost your creativity.
9. Try deep breathing exercises
Before getting out of bed in the morning, take a few deep, clear breaths. Breathe in deeply through your nostrils, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your lips. Notice how it calms you down and puts you in a positive mood almost immediately.
10. Play with your pet
Pets are one of the greatest gifts people can have. They love you unconditionally and bring a lot of joy to your life. There’s nothing like being greeted in the morning with warm love from your furry friend to lift your optimism throughout the day.
Caring for a pet can make your life more purposeful and improve your mental health. Spending time with them in the morning can keep you smiling at their playful antics. Pets are a great example of living in the moment and finding joy in the little things.
11. Listen to a positive thinking audiobook or podcast
Instead of dragging yourself through the doom and gloom of the morning news, listen to an inspirational audiobook or podcast. It’s fun to listen to something uplifting while doing morning exercises or chores. Perhaps you can learn a new language or gain valuable knowledge.
12. Soak up some rays to keep you smiling all-day
It’s so refreshing to wake up to the sunshine, smiling through your curtains. Did you know your body uses sunlight to make Vitamin D and improve your mood? Try to get a healthy dose of sunshine in the morning and watch it brighten your day.
13. Stop worrisome thoughts in their tracks
It’s only human to worry about situations in life, even before they happen. But anxiety and worry can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. It can increase negative energy and make you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world.
With the help of meditation and journaling, you can cope with your thoughts, so you will worry less. When you minimize your worries, it increases your positivity and improves your overall well-being. You will spend less time worrying and more time living.
14. Don’t oversleep
There is nothing more indulgent than sleeping in on weekends and holidays. Maybe you’ve been running on a sleep deficit all week and are ready to crash on the weekends. Although you deserve it every now and then, making it a habit can be counterproductive.
Most people feel better when they go to bed at night and wake up at the same time every morning. Circadian rhythms keep your rhythm balanced and your energy level up. When you practice healthy sleep habits, you are less likely to be sleep-deprived.
15. Wake up with a smile if your bedroom is clean and organized
Have you ever noticed that your mood can affect those around you? If your bedroom looks like a hurricane hit and clutter is everywhere, you feel tense and uneasy. You try to fall asleep, but you can only feel guilty for not staying awake and cleaning up.
In contrast, a clean and organized bedroom becomes a private retreat. Get into the habit of cleaning your room and making your bed every day. You’ll sleep better at night and greet the morning in the comfort of your lovely boudoir.
Final Thoughts on Smiling and Waking Up Positive
How you spend your first waking moments can set the pace for the rest of your day. Being proactive and preparing the night before is key. You may never be a morning person, but following these steps can keep your optimism levels high and have you smiling.
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