Starting Your Day In a Good Mental Space

I think most of us can relate to the experience of waking up and having our brain go into instant overdrive. We think of all the things we need to do. We may feel anxious thinking about things left undone from the day before. We want to hop online to see if that email we were waiting for has arrived. We get a sinking feeling thinking of what awaits us once our feet hit the floor.

I have learned that how I think and feel makes a huge impact on my outside experience. Getting into a good mental space right at the start of the day has been one of the most effective tools for me in terms of promoting my mental well-being and attracting more good things into my life. I make my living online and I still have not fully kicked the urge to hop on the computer right when I wake up in the morning…I will admit sometimes I give in if I am waiting on something particular, but I am getting better at it. It happened just a few minutes ago and even as I am writing this, I feel that urge. Being particularly aware of this inclination this morning during my meditation, I decided that I was going to write this blog post before I did anything else. Yay for me, I stuck to it!

Starting off the day with clear minds or as clear as we can make them --we are only human after all and we will not always feel the endeavor was successful – sets the stage for a smoother experience. If we can slow our minds down a bit, we will see that we can choose how to view what the day holds for us and we will choose a better perspective. We will feel less overwhelmed. We will feel less worried. We will alter our approach.

For me, meditation is what does the trick first thing in the morning. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Maybe writing out a list of things you are grateful for is what does it for you. If it makes you feel better, then it is good. Do what works for you. Do not use the excuse that you do not have time. I know for most people, if they need to be out the door by 7 and it takes them exactly 38 minutes to get ready in the morning, they are not setting that alarm any early than 6:22. Get up a few minutes earlier or spend a few minutes less watching the morning news show or putzing around on your smart phone….check Facebook later, it will not kill you.

If we can get out of that frenzied mental state that hits us as soon as we regain consciousness, it can literally change your life. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but it is true. Our life experience is dependent on how we think and our perspective and this activity will change them for the better and a better life will naturally follow.