A whopping 7 in 10 Australians state that their morning ritual is important in ensuring they have a positive start to the day. And yet, 8 out of 10 Australians state that at times they feel so rushed in the mornings that they are unable to take time to prepare for the day. According to research recently conducted by Nespresso it seems ‘the morning’ is in decline. According to this research, a morning ritual can help improve productivity, mood, mindset and overall well-being and is something many of the world’s most successful people swear by.
Dr Suzy Green, Clinical and Coaching Psychologist, Founder of the Positivity Institute shares her tips on how you can make the most of your morning;
1. Embrace your inner early bird
Research shows that early birds get more done, so avoid hitting the snooze button! Even though rising early may be hard at first, it can take up to two months to make or break a habit so stick with it.
2. Stretch your body
Have you ever heard of the saying, “Flexible body, flexible mind”? Work towards achieving a flexible body by learning some simple yoga poses. Salute to the sun, the warrior pose, and the tree pose are great for beginners.
3. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
Gratitude is simple, powerful, and scientifically proven to boost your mood. Use a journal to identify five things that you’re grateful for every day- think about the small things like sitting in the sun for 10 minutes or enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend.
4. Keep a journal
Journal writing is a great way to express emotions, particularly for those of us who find it hard to talk about feelings. Julia Cameron, author of “The Artist’s Way” believes that the act of creating a few “morning pages” of longhand writing helps you clear the mind in preparation for the day ahead.
5. Give yourself a morning heart-starter
Complete your positive morning ritual by enjoying your favourite coffee. Most of us already enjoy a morning brew, but taking five minutes to treat ourselves sets us up for the perfect day.
Dr Suzy Green is a Clinical and Coaching Psychologist (MAPS) and the founder of The Positivity Institute, an organization dedicated to the research and application of Positive Psychology for life, school and work.