What is the first thing you think when you get up? Ugh, another day, Yay! I am on the right side of the grass! Or do you wake up thinking, “Good morning, day!” or say, “Good God, it is morning.” I am a morning person, but I usually wake up wondering how long it will take me to make coffee!
I am grumpy and not at my best around people when I am tired. I am irritable, roll my eyes, and have NO patience. However, when I start my day with a smile, I can be attentive, pleasant, and friendly.
The way you think guides how you function throughout the day. For example, I can wake up thinking I am going to have a good day; it is a gorgeous day outside (even when it is storming, it is beautiful), or be confident and tell yourself, “I can do it,” are all thoughts that can improve your day.
A good night’s sleep is integral to having a good day. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about insomnia, addressing several things you could do to fight insomnia. Today I am looking at bedtime routines.
WHAT NOT TO DO
· Use any kind of digital technology.
· Take sleeping pills unless you have been diagnosed with insomnia.
· Drink alcohol – often, one goes to sleep in a drunken stupor but cannot stay asleep.
· Work in bed or any other place in the bedroom.
· Consume caffeine after 5 pm.
· Eat fatty foods.
· Exercise before bed.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
· Be consistent.
· Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including the weekends.
· Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature.
· Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smartphones, from the bedroom.
You can also try the 10, 3, 2, 1, 0 method.
· 10 hours before bed: No more caffeine.
· 3 hours before bed: No more food or alcohol.
· 2 hours before bed: No more work.
· 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs, and computers).
· 0: The number of times you'll need to hit snooze in the AM
Besides sleep, how else can you ensure you have a positive day:
· Drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning. Water is fuel for the health of your body.
· Eat a small healthy breakfast. Breakfast provides your body with immediate energy. You may not be a person that eats breakfast, but even a granola bar will help give you the energy needed.
· Quick form of exercise.
· Do something you enjoy.
· Review goals for the day.
· Listen to something positive.
· An essential part of starting my day off with a positive attitude is to spend some time reading my Bible and praying.
Do your best to have a good day. A positive attitude will make the day go by faster, help you to be happier, and help you form good friendships. Overall, you become more approachable.
Have a great day.
