My Secret to Having a GREAT Day

August 28, 2013

Here’s how I use to start my day:

Wake up (with a little dread), not really wanting to get out of bed to face the day, but get out of bed anyway.

Get up, open the computer (react to all the emails, spam, newsletters, and whatever else was filling my inbox), check the newspaper for all the latest “news” of homicide, political arguments, and local opinions, make my caffeine, and race off to wherever I was going.

At this point, I ignored how tight my chest was, the negative thoughts running through my head, how tired I felt, or any part of my body for that matter.

My morning is REALLY different now. My health and well-being is a priority now. Every day.

Here’s the thing – how you spend your day (and morning) is how you spend your life.

The morning time is the most precious time of the day (in my opinion).

It sets the tone for how you experience the rest of the day.

Here is how I make my health and well-being a priority:

I go to bed around 10pm (not having been on technology for at least 30 min. before going to sleep), and get under my favorite sheets and down comforter (on a great mattress of course), and read a quote from my favorite quote book (so that’s the last thought as I settle into sleep).

I wake up 8 to 9 hours later, depending on what my body needs, stretch like a cat in bed, and slowly get up.

I go pee.

I open the shades, drink one full glass of water (no caffeine), cuddle with my cat Dave, and sit in meditation for 30 min.

I finish, say 5 things I’m grateful for, my intention for the day, and a closing loving kindness prayer for myself and all people.

How do I feel from this? Relaxed, grateful, purposeful, awake, gentle, loving, energized, and peaceful.

Sounds way better than what I use to do doesn’t it?

I’ll never go back now that I know what a difference it makes in my day.

Here are 5 tips for you to having a GREAT day:

Get enough sleep.
Stay off technology 30 min. before going to bed and 30 min. after waking.
Sit for 5 min in the morning (or more if you’re ready to) before you do anything besides pee.
State how you want to BE that day (ie: I am open and loving today) when you finish sitting.
Do this every day.

One of my favorite quotes is:
“What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.”
~Gretchen Rubin

Why? Because what you do every day defines your life. Create habits of health and well-being and you will feel healthy and well.

Interested in getting support on creating healthy habits in your life? Check out my 1-on-1 programs. Guidance and accountability are invaluable for this. Trust me. It’s what I needed to be sitting for 5 minutes a day, as well as 30 minutes a day.

Categories: Health & Happiness

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Christopher, Bozeman, MT

My Secret to Having a GREAT Day

About the Author: Angela Patnode

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About the Author: Angela Patnode

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