Well begun is half-done, the saying goes. If you begin any task well, you are already on the right track, and this applies to everything. If you begin your day on the right note, the rest of the day is bound to shape up well. Below are a few tips to start your day well:
Early to bed and early to rise is not only for milkmen or newspaper delivery boys. Wake up early, or at least give yourself enough time to prepare for the day ahead instead of waking up late and then dashing around like a headless chicken, which usually leads to a chaotic and confusing day ahead.
Start by lazing around a few minutes in bed, expressing your gratitude for the fact that you have slept well; stretch your body to get the energy running; listen to the chirping of the birds outside—it puts you in a good mood. Don’t sit up straight or leap out of bed; instead roll over on one side, then push yourself up into a sitting position, and then step out of bed. Walk a few steps around the house to get the blood flowing. Once out of bed , smile and greet everyone at home cheerfully to ensure a positive vibe in the house. The day ahead may be full of challenges but thinking about something positive puts you in a positive state of mind.
Drink at least 3 glasses of lukewarm water to aid proper bowel movement. It makes you feel light and energetic throughout the day.
If you have an east-facing window or balcony, try and get some morning sun which is beneficial for health. Your mobile phone will be lying around somewhere invitingly, but try not to get sucked into the screen first thing in the morning. There will be enough time for all that later. It’s a good idea to stay away from the newspapers too for some time; they are usually full of bad news which can ruin a perfectly good morning. Read the papers later.
Do your yoga asanas, or your p referred form of exercise i.e. walking, jogging, etc.
Bathe before (and not after) you have your breakfast. Breakfast is the king of all meals; breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. You are breaking a fast of over 12 hours and, therefore, ensure that the breakfast is nutritious and filling but not so filling that it makes you lethargic. A healthy breakfast stabilizes blood sugar levels, improves your short term memory, and aids concentration.
Make a mental note or, even better, make a to-do list of all that you hope to accomplish in the day. This should include the list of meetings awaiting you. Setting goals increases confidence and makes you feel in control, in charge of the day ahead.
Now go and seize the day.