Few things feel as good as being in a great mood. When you’re feeling happy and upbeat, it’s easier to enjoy life and take on whatever challenges come your way. Not only that, but being in a good mood can also have some tangible benefits. Studies have shown that people who are in a good mood tend to be more productive, make better decisions, and even enjoy better physical health. So next time you’re feeling down, remember that it’s not just your state of mind; it’s also good for your body and your life!
How you start your morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. If you wake up feeling glum, you’ll come off as ill and grouchy all day. However, there are methods and techniques to practice for the first few minutes after waking that are proven to lift your mood and get you in a better frame of mind to face the day.
Before we get into what to do in the mornings to ensure you start the day in a good mood, there are a few things that matter before you go to bed.
What to Do Before Bed to Ensure a Good Mood in the Morning
One of the primary factors controling your mood when you get up in the morning is the mood you were in when you went to bed. You may think you can sleep off the anxiety, depression, and anger you take to bed, but not really.
In fact, when you take it to bed with you, it makes getting a restful and peaceful nights sleep almost impossible. And if you don’t get rest and mental peace at night while sleeping, it certainly affects your fitness and how you start your day and your mood.
We found that daily sleep quality and mood are related, with the effect of sleep quality on mood being significantly larger than the reverse.
Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Mood/National Library of Medicine
If you want to wake up in a good mood, there are a few things you can do before bed.
Turn off all electronics 30 minutes before retiring to the the bed. All research indicates that the light, along with the subdued excitement, of Computers, TVs, interferre with good sleep. If you need the TV on to go to sleep, turn it off and buy a noisy fan, it will produce a much better sleep.
Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it as closely as possible. Almost every part of our life winds up being governed by habits. When you make it a habit to go to bed at a regular time, it won’t take long for your body and brain to know what time to expect rest and sleep.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. You may think that highball or caffeine is something that helps your sleep, and you just couldn’t imagine going without it? The truth is, it doesn’t help, and interrupts the best sleeping patterns.
Relax. Now that you’ve turned off the electronics, it’s time to relax, get your mind at peace, and de-stress. A few things you might consider is reading, taking a warm bath, writing in a journal, jotting down the things to do tomorrow, or think about all the happy moments of the day.
Those techniques are all proven to help you sleep better and set the stage for being in a better mood when you wake.
Here’s How to Start Your Day in a Good Mood
Wake up at the same time every day
One of the best ways to set yourself up for a good morning is to wake up at the same time every day. This helps regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm and makes it easier to fall asleep at night. It may be tough to get used to at first, but after a few weeks, your body will start to adjust.
Practice gratitude for 2 minutes before getting out of bed
When you wake up, take a deep breath and think about three things you’re grateful for. It could be something as simple as your bed, the sunshine coming in through your window, or your dog snuggling up next to you. Once you’ve come up with three things, take a moment to really feel the gratitude in your heart. This will help you start your day off with a positive attitude.
After you’ve taken a moment to appreciate the good things in your life, get out of bed and start your day.
Make your bed as soon as you get out
Making your bed as soon as you get out is one of the easiest and quickest ways to start your day on a good note. Not only does it make your living space look neater, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment and organization right off the bat. Additionally, research has shown that making your bed is associated with having a better night’s sleep.
Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up to rehydrate
When you sleep, your body goes without water for an extended period of time. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to rehydrate as soon as you wake up by drinking a glass of water. Water helps to replenish the fluids that your body loses during the night, and it can also help to jump start your metabolism.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning
As soon as you’re up, try to take a few minutes for yourself before jumping into the day. Have a cup of coffee and sit in silence. This is not the time to read or practice meditation. Just enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning.
Stretch to get the blood flowing as soon as you wake up
It’s important to do some stretches when you first wake up in the morning. Stretching helps to wake up your muscles and get your blood flowing. It also helps to prevent injuries by loosening up your muscles and joints. There are a variety of stretches that you can do, but some simple ones include reaching your arms up over your head and stretching to the side. You can also try doing a few ankle rotations or gentle knee bends. Just a few minutes of stretching in the morning can make a big difference in how you feel during the rest of the day.
Eat a healthy breakfast
The best way to start your day is by eating a healthy breakfast. When you’re fueling your body with nutritious foods, you’ll have more energy and feel better overall. Try to include protein, fiber, and healthy fats in your breakfast to get your day started on the right foot. Some good options for a healthy breakfast include eggs, oatmeal, smoothies, avocado toast, or yogurt with fruits and nuts. Eating nutritious foods first thing in the morning will give you sustained energy throughout the day.
Start your day with some light exercise
One great way to start your day in a good mood is by doing some light exercise. This could be something as simple as taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood or doing a few minutes of stretching and calisthenics. Not only will you get your blood flowing and your body moving, but you’ll also get some fresh air and sunshine, which are both great mood- boosters, as you stay healthy.
Listen to upbeat music
This will help get you in a good mood and improve your energy levels for the day. It’s also been shown to reduce stress levels. Listen to any muscic that lifts your mood while you’re getting ready in the morning, or on your way to work. If you don’t like listening to music in the morning, try another form of audio entertainment, such as a comedy podcast, an audiobook, or even listen while exercising.
Stay off the computer
Avoid looking at screens. This means staying off the computer, phone, and television. Avoid checking your email or social media first thing in the morning. Seeing notifications from overnight can stress you out and set a negative tone for the day.
Why it’s better to be in a good mood
Being in a good mood is linked with several benefits both physical and psychological:
- When you’re in a good mood you have higher levels of energy
- Good moods help us eat healthier and make better choices
- Feeling good means increased creativity and productivity, making it more likely to achieve your goals
- A positive attitude helps with confidence to approach task and daily obligations
- People with good moods tend to be better at relationships. (duh?) This is because they are more likely to see the best in people and are less likely to dwell on conflict.
On the flip side, being in a bad mood can have the opposite effect. We may be more likely to withdraw from activities, eat unhealthy foods, and generally feel less motivated. Additionally, bad moods can impact our immune system, making us more susceptible to getting sick.
Summing Up
It’s easy enough to merely get up grouchy and continue on through the day, passing it on to everyone you come in contact with. And the results of going through a day in a bad mood can very easily destroy many different people’s lives because moods are seriously contagious; both good and bad.
Knowing how to start you day in a good mood could literally change the course of someones life. So, as simple as the 10 tips in this post are, give them a try, and make someones life better.