What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? Most of us have fallen into the habit of rolling over and immediately checking our phones for texts, emails, and social media updates before we’ve even gotten out of bed! Starting your day this way gives other people and circumstances power over your mood for the morning (or even the rest of your day). What if you could take that power back and be sure to start your day off in a good mood? The good news is that you can–and it all starts with gratitude.
The first step to having a great morning (and day), is to refrain from checking your phone immediately. Let your first thoughts be your own, rather than whatever messages you’ve received overnight.
The next step is to keep a journal right next to your bed. This journal will be the first thing you reach for in the morning instead of your phone. When you wake up, all you have to do is write 5-10 things you are grateful for and why. This “why” part is crucial because it helps you internalize gratitude. If you can spare a couple of extra minutes, try rereading it. As you read each item, pause and feel the gratitude before moving on to the next item.
This short practice each morning starts your day in such a positive way that you’re guaranteed to be smiling as you make your breakfast. You might even forget to check your phone for a few more minutes!
