| Many people wake up in the morning groggy and | | | | good things you have: your health, freedom, financial |
| listless. They hate the thought of getting up and they | | | | security, friends, and so on. And remember, if you |
| usually have to pry themselves out of bed. They are | | | | don't have some of these -- you could be a lot |
| sure the only thing waiting for them is a job they | | | | worse off. Don't think about what you don't have, |
| hate and more disappointments. What you would like | | | | think about what you have. |
| is to feel fresh, motivated, energized and raring to | | | | And the thing that will really get you going is the |
| go. And indeed you can. | | | | thing you are most excited about. You have to have |
| The early morning is particularly important because it | | | | something you are looking forward to. What are your |
| sets the stage for the rest of your day, and to a | | | | goals? Are you achieving them? In particular, think |
| large degree it determines how your day will turn out. | | | | about your greatest desire. Everyone has one. Think |
| Everyone wants to have a happy and cheerful day, | | | | about how you will feel when you finally achieve it. |
| and the best way to ensure this is to make sure you | | | | Last but not least, resolve to live for today. Don't |
| start out that way first thing in the morning. | | | | worry about any failures you may have made in the |
| For a good day you have to start the night before. | | | | past. They're over and done. Look forward to the |
| The Night Before | | | | future, but don't worry about it. Live only for today. |
| To wake refreshed and energetic in the morning you | | | | In summary: remember |
| have to get a good nights sleep -- 6 to 8 hours, | | | | - Affirmations |
| depending on how much you need. And one of the | | | | - Count your blessings |
| best ways to get it is to prepare for bed properly. | | | | - Your greatest desire |
| It's important to relax for at least a half an hour | | | | - To live for today |
| before you go to bed. | | | | Exercise (Stretching in Particular) |
| To relax you have to clear your mind; in particular, | | | | Start every morning off with 15 to 20 minutes of |
| you have to forget any problems you had during the | | | | exercise. If you don't have enough time, rise 15 to 20 |
| day, and get rid of any negative thoughts you may | | | | minutes earlier, but make sure you do it. Exercise is |
| be harboring. Affirmations (little inspirational phrases | | | | good for everyone; it helps get your blood flowing |
| you repeat to yourself) are particularly helpful here. | | | | and it works out most of the stiffness you |
| Tell yourself you're going to sleep well and believe it. | | | | developed overnight. Pilates exercises are particularly |
| Also, tell yourself you're going to wake up happy and | | | | good (in them you lie on your back and move your |
| have a great day. Think happy thoughts as you relax | | | | legs and arms). Pilates includes some stretching, but |
| for sleep. | | | | it's important to make sure you stretch all the major |
| Other things that are important are: | | | | muscles of your body. Walking is also helpful, and |
| - Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet. | | | | relatively convenient if you have a treadmill. |
| - Open your window. Make sure the room is cool. | | | | Music |
| - Have a comfortable mattress and pillow. | | | | Music is something else that helps set the stage for a |
| - Keep the same routine in relation to sleep day after | | | | great day. It helps put you in a good mood, and it |
| day (i.e.keep your bedtime and risetime the same). | | | | relaxes you. Music helps create an atmosphere of joy |
| - Don't eat just before you go to bed. | | | | and exhilaration in the morning. It can also motivate |
| Waking Up | | | | you. The important thing, however, is to select music |
| Some people will tell you to jump out of bed the | | | | that you like, and in the morning it should be upbeat. |
| moment the alarm goes off. If you tend to roll over | | | | If your morning alarm is in the form of music, so |
| and go back to sleep this may be a good idea. But | | | | much the better. Set it for your favorite song. |
| jumping out of bed too quickly is a shock to your | | | | Have a Good Breakfast |
| system. It's best to spend a few minutes allowing | | | | Begin your day by eating a hearty, nutritious |
| your mind and body to fully wake up. During this time | | | | breakfast. People sometimes think they can lose |
| you can go over what you have to do during the | | | | weight if they skip breakfast, but this rarely happens. |
| day. Deep breathing is also helpful at this time.Take | | | | You need an energy boost to get you going first |
| several deep breaths; this increases the oxygen in | | | | thing in the morning. Many people do not like oatmeal, |
| your blood and gets your body ready for the shock | | | | but it's a good way to get you going, besides -- it will |
| of getting out of bed. | | | | lower your cholesterol. Whole wheat cereals are also |
| Water is Important | | | | good. Anyway, eat what you like, as long as it is |
| Immedaitely upon rising drink a large glass of water. | | | | nutritious. A glass of grape juice is also a good choice |
| Your body looses water while you sleep and it is | | | | in the morning. |
| quite dehydrated by morning. This causes some of | | | | Fix Yourself Up in the Morning |
| the fatigue you feel. So drink a glass of water now | | | | Fix yourself up each morning. Shave, comb your hair, |
| and another after you exercise. | | | | put on your makeup, or whatever you have to do. |
| Let the Sun Shine In | | | | Many people get rushed and skip some of this. But |
| Sunshine is important early in the morning. If you're in | | | | remember: if you look good, you feel good. So make |
| a dark room with the curtains pulled, open them | | | | sure you look your best. And don't worry if you're |
| immediately and let the sun shine on your face. Soak | | | | having a bad hair day. It happens to everyone. |
| it up for a few minutes. Greet the day with a smile. | | | | Take a Nap in the Afternoon (if possible) |
| Psyche Yourself Up for the Day | | | | One of the major reasons why people find it difficult |
| This is one of the most important things you can do | | | | to get up in the morning refreshed and feeling great |
| each morning, and it only takes a few minutes. | | | | is that they don't get enough sleep. A short nap of |
| Affirmations and peptalks can set the stage for a | | | | about 20 minutes in the afternoon will refresh you |
| great day. Repeat to yourself, "I'm going to have a | | | | for the rest of the day. It will also reduce your |
| great day. I'm going to be happy." Say it over several | | | | stress. Be careful, though, of napping too long; it may |
| times with conviction, and believe it. | | | | interfere with your ability to fall asleep fast at night. |
| Then look in the mirror and smile. Really smile. | | | | Also, do not nap in the evening. |
| Remember that if you act happy you will be happy. | | | | Waking up groggy and listless doesn't have to be |
| And while you're at it, count your blessings. People | | | | part of your day. The above steps should help you |
| rarely do this, but you should. Think about all the | | | | begin your day with zeal and enthusiasm. |