Do these ten things first thing in the morning to have a great day
Updated: Jul 8, 2022
Doing these ten things first thing in the morning, is a great way to increase your energy, sharpen your mental acuity, and improve your mood. This may not the perfect order for you, so feel free to rearrange or substitute; for example, I must have a cup of bulletproof coffee, but maybe you prefer tea. This list is adapted from the work of brain expert Jim Kwik, with some additional tips from the bestseller Atomic Habits.
Your day starts the night before. Go to bed early enough to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep and get up early at about the same time every day. It's great if you can wake up naturally to sunlight coming through your window.
Make your bed. That way, no matter what happens today, you have accomplished something first thing in the morning. When you return to your bedroom, you'll be greeted by a tidy bed. It's very comforting and welcoming.
Drink a glass of water with lemon and take your supplements, if any. You get very dehydrated at night.
Go outside for a few minutes to get some sunlight in your eyes. If you have time, go for a walk. The sunshine and fresh air are life-giving.
I've been starting my day with bulletproof coffee for years, and I find it's a great substitute for breakfast, plus it's faster. Blend on high speed for about 20 seconds a cup of hot coffee (preferably organic) with one tablespoon of MCT oil, one tablespoon of grass fed butter, and 1-2 scoops of collagen or grass fed whey powder. It's a rich, creamy fat bomb to jumpstart your metabolism.
Read your Bible every day. There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. If you read 3-4 chapters every day, you can read through the Bible every year. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105.
Pray and seek God's guidance for your day. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5
Keep a journal and write in it every day. First of all, write down any dreams you remember. This is so helpful to your psychological and emotional health. According to Jim Kwik, our brains continue to work on problems while we sleep. As you remember and reflect on your dreams, you may uncover solutions and realizations you have been seeking.
Write down ten things you're grateful for. Whatever it might be, what are you grateful for right now? As Jim Kwik says, if you're not grateful for what you have, why should you expect to receive more?
Do a brief work out - just ten minutes of movement and stretching make all the difference. Critical Bench has hundreds of excellent free workouts on YouTube: Criticalbench - YouTube. Sean Vigue Fitness is another great channel with morning yoga routines that anyone can do, even beginners.