This is a collaborative post (not written by me).
We’re living through a moment in history. A moment that we’ll tell our grandkids about in the same way that our elders regaled us with tales of world wars and rationing. Yet, knowing that we will come out of this the other side doesn’t always make the present easier to live through. Even if we’ve been fortunate enough to avoid contact with the coronavirus itself, we will not have been able to insulate ourselves from the physical and psychological effects of the pandemic. Yet, while we can’t change the circumstances which have necessitated the lockdown, we can take control of how they affect us. If you’ve started every day feeling sluggish, groggy and sick, the action we take at the start of the day can make all the difference to the rest of it.
Image by Free Photos via Pixabay
Why mornings matter
The moods and thought processes that we develop at the start of the day can be carried around with us right up until the day ends. If you’ve ever had one of those days where a bad nightmare or a fitful sleep has effectively ruined the rest of your day, you know just how impactful the morning can be to our mental state.
Still, we have every opportunity to improve our perception and shape a better reality from the inside out. Here’s how...
Start out with some CBT
Feeling down or depressed? Feeling a non-specific dread that you can’t shake off? Negativity can toxify all of our thought processes. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t take back control. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) encourages us to challenge negative or damaging thoughts and replace them with more positive and wholesome alternatives. It might take a while, but over time you can condition yourself to shrug off negativity and get every day off to a positive start.
Get whatever exercise you can
Our moods are partly affected by external circumstances, partly by our thought processes and partly by our complex neurochemistries. Little lifestyle changes can make a big difference to the latter. Like starting your day off with some gentle exercise. Whether you choose to try stretching with yoga in the morning or starting the day with a brisk walk or jog, you can start your day off riding an endorphin high. You don’t have to start with a gruelling workout. Just get your blood pumping and your mind and body activated.
Try reading or music instead of the TV
When our bodies and minds feel sluggish, everything we do seems like more of a challenge, whether we’re working or not. As well as awakening our bodies, we should also try and gently awaken our minds in the morning. So instead of plonking yourself down in front of the TV for a few episodes of The Simpsons, why not play some music and read a book while you enjoy a leisurely breakfast?
Reading in the gives us some quality time with ourselves while also warming up our minds so that they’re better able to cope with the challenges of the day.
Thanks for reading,
Image by Free Photos via PixabayWhy mornings matter
The moods and thought processes that we develop at the start of the day can be carried around with us right up until the day ends. If you’ve ever had one of those days where a bad nightmare or a fitful sleep has effectively ruined the rest of your day, you know just how impactful the morning can be to our mental state.
Still, we have every opportunity to improve our perception and shape a better reality from the inside out. Here’s how...
Start out with some CBT
Feeling down or depressed? Feeling a non-specific dread that you can’t shake off? Negativity can toxify all of our thought processes. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t take back control. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) encourages us to challenge negative or damaging thoughts and replace them with more positive and wholesome alternatives. It might take a while, but over time you can condition yourself to shrug off negativity and get every day off to a positive start.
Get whatever exercise you can
Our moods are partly affected by external circumstances, partly by our thought processes and partly by our complex neurochemistries. Little lifestyle changes can make a big difference to the latter. Like starting your day off with some gentle exercise. Whether you choose to try stretching with yoga in the morning or starting the day with a brisk walk or jog, you can start your day off riding an endorphin high. You don’t have to start with a gruelling workout. Just get your blood pumping and your mind and body activated.
Try reading or music instead of the TV
When our bodies and minds feel sluggish, everything we do seems like more of a challenge, whether we’re working or not. As well as awakening our bodies, we should also try and gently awaken our minds in the morning. So instead of plonking yourself down in front of the TV for a few episodes of The Simpsons, why not play some music and read a book while you enjoy a leisurely breakfast?
Reading in the gives us some quality time with ourselves while also warming up our minds so that they’re better able to cope with the challenges of the day.
Thanks for reading,
Leah xoxo
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