Winning the first five minutes of your day.
What do you do with the first five minutes of your day? What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
How you start your day can inform you how the rest of your day will go.
In a few surveys, adults shared that the first thing they think about in the morning is work and money. About a third of adults are likelier to hit that snooze button when they wake up thinking about work and money. A dread of work makes you not want to get out of bed.
For some, the first thing they do is think about a to-do list. This mental to-do list that you run through your head may include dishes, laundry, doctor’s appointments, and dropping kids off at work. You think about all the things you need to get done today. You feel stressed just thinking about it.
Then many adults now wake up and immediately go on their phones. The phone is a small computer that gives you access to your email, messages, social network, news, and everything you want to know. You begin to scroll and see what is going on in the world. Looking at other people’s lives often prompts you to compare your life to others. With comparison comes jealousy and envy.
These common habits make you feel dreadful, anxious, and envious. These emotions can be carried with you throughout the rest of your day.
So if you want to win your day, you must win the first five minutes.
Here are
stretch your body: become aware of your body and stretch it from head to toe. Like any other mindfulness activity, it helps you relax and become aware of your surroundings.
Pray: greet God in the morning through prayer. Acknowledge that God is in control no matter what happens to do. Submitting yourself to the Lord gives you confidence and feeling cared for by the creator of the universe.
Gratitude: list 3 things you are grateful for this morning, and train your mind to focus on the positive aspect of your life.
Greet your spouse: if your spouse wake up at the same time as you do, greet your spouse. Feel cared for and loved first thing in the morning.
There are many things you can do to influence your mood, and starting your first five minutes feeling relaxed, confident, grateful, and loved can help you win the day.
