How To Set Yourself Up For A Great Day

Know that feeling when you wake up and all you can think about is going back to bed? Of course you do. You might even sleep in a little, causing a mad to rush to get through your routine and getting out the door just in time... Only to sit in traffic on your way to work. (Should have just stayed in bed!)

If a new TikTok trend known as Lucky Girl Syndrome is to be believed, we can easily turn this helterskelter 'routine' around simply by using manifestation techniques and positive thinking to try and change the general outcome of our days. If that sounds a little too out there for you (and, like us, you tend to sceptically overanalyse these 'trends') we have some tangible ways to conjure up some positivity and practical luck of your own.

Here are 5 practical steps to take to start building a better morning routine:

Don't snooze!

Ah yes, our old friend the snooze button... While we might wake up feeling like we haven't slept at all, the solution isn't to hit the snooze button, roll over and doze off again. Snoozing disrupts your REM sleep, since the extra 5 or 10 minutes you get each time you push the button isn't enough time to get back into the rhythm of it. It also increases our blood pressure and heart rate, according to Headspace.

Instead, try to wake up at the same time every day. This might mean going to sleep earlier. If you're a night owl, this might sound difficult, but give yourself the time and self-compassion you need to reach your goal.

Keep your eyes off your phone!

We know that scrollaxing sounds like a good way to wake yourself up, but it might be better to go technology-free in the early hours of your day. Why? As Psychiatrist Dr Nikole Benders-Hadi explained to Medium: "Immediately turning to your phone when you wake up can start your day off in a way that is more likely to increase stress and leave you feeling overwhelmed.”

There are simple solutions to help you avoid the temptation of your phone. Before you go to bed, put any devices out of sight — and reach — so you'd actually need to get up and walk across the room if you wanted to check them. Better yet, switch it off! Use an old-fashioned alarm clock instead, it will do the job just as well (and looks cuter than a phone, too!).

Start your day with some affirmations

Positive self-talk has a range of benefits. Not only can it raise your self-esteem and assist with managing stress, it can also help you feel more in control of your life. Whether you need to talk to yourself out loud or just listen to a soothing internal voice — as long as the words you are telling yourself are kind and encouraging, you're doing it right!

Repeating statements like 'I am going to have a good day today' or 'I am capable and I am enough' can set yourself up for the day you deserve. Your positive affirmations can be done as part of a meditation routine, allowing you to reap the benefits of deep breathing, too. A great resource to get you started is the Meditation for Women podcast, which provides plenty of short, guided meditations with specific affirmations, ready-made to insert straight into your morning routine.

Have a good breakfast

If you're rushing to get out the door, this is the step that you might be most tempted to skip — but reconsider! Eating a healthy breakfast raises your blood sugar levels, which is essential for an improved mood. It also gives you the energy you will need to get through the morning without a second cup of coffee in your hand.

Pop some wholegrain toast into the toaster as soon as you get up, so you can wash your face and put on your outfit for the day while it browns. If you're an avo fan, this curry-avocado crispy egg toast breakfast could be a winner! Or you could even throw some delicious fruit and yoghurt into a blender and make yourself a beautiful smoothie bowl, like this delicious berry and banana one.

Move, move, move your body!

There's nothing better than a walk to clear your head. This is why you should consider adding an early morning workout to your positive morning routine. Exercise physiologist Jasmin Theard explains: “Exercise leads to the secretion of neurotransmitters that promote mental clarity and an improved attention span,” she says. “You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, as well as rejuvenated and recharged.”

So what exercise routine should do the trick? Hitting the pavement walking or doing a quick cardio workout will do. Perhaps you'll like to focus on a particular part of your body. Here's a great arm exercise routine that won't take long at all, and this Pilates workout will help you work out your core. If it's raining outside, don't fret. Pick something you can achieve indoors or throw on your rain jacket and brave the wet weather.

Feeling more positive already? Sounds like you have your new routine sorted. See you in the morning!