5 Ways To Take Control Of Your Day

There is nothing better than waking up with a smile on your face and feeling ready to take on the day!  But you all know that if one thing causes you to have a bad morning, you are more than likely going to have a bad rest of the day.  And typically if you have a bad day, that rubs off on your family… and they will also not have a great day.

I realized this while I was pregnant with our second daughter.  Most of the time I wake up happy and eager for the day before me. But occasionally, small things will happen within the first 5 minutes of being up that can change everything. Things so simple as waking up late, Drew leaving the toilet seat up, or stepping on Barbie’s stiletto would put my mood in a downward spiral.

You add those small things with pregnancy hormones and I could easily get super stressed and overwhelmed; to the point that Aubrey and Drew knew to watch out.  

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I knew when we added an additional little person I was going to have to take better control of my day and that was going to start with changing my morning routine.  

So, in order to make sure I start off feeling great and to make sure my family has a great day, I wake up 5 minutes earlier than I normally would and take those minutes of quietness and stillness in the house to control my day by doing at least one of these 5 things.  

1.) Be Thankful – If the first thing you do when you open your eyes is acknowledge that God has given you another day and say “Thank You” for this day, you instantly feel happy! You can build on this by reading a devotional or take a few quiet minutes to say a prayer.  Physically saying thank you out loud starts your day with positive thoughts and puts the focus on everything great in your life.   

2.) Make your bed – There is nothing more relaxing than walking in my bedroom and seeing a perfectly made bed.  To me it says “I have it all together” and I instantly feel a small amount of refreshment. When I start my day by making the bed I feel like I have already put a big green check mark beside an item on my to-do list!   

I saw this video where a Navy Seal speaks on how to be successful in life and his first rule is to make your bed. Check it out!

3.) Enjoy your beverage – No matter what you drink right when you wake up, make sure it is something you enjoy.  We have our coffee pot set on a timer so the second I walk down in the morning, my kitchen is filled with the smell of fresh coffee brewing!  I am that person that looks forward to my cup of coffee every single morning! One key to enjoying that first sip is enjoying the cup you are drinking it out of! A fun mug can quickly put a smile on your face! 

4.) Stretch – After being still all night it feels amazing to get up and reach high over head and release all of the stiffness. Stretching for just 5 minutes in the morning can drastically affect your mood and energy level throughout your day!

5.) Don’t Look at your Phone – Turn your alarm off and leave it on your nightstand for a little while. When you open your phone, you are susceptible to others’ emotions, events, and opinions. Then someone else is determining your mood for the day!  Enjoy one of the little things above without any distractions and I know you will notice a difference.

We are all creatures of habit and I personally enjoy a routine, so by building that extra 5 minutes into my morning and finding a way to incorporate at least one of the 5 things into that time I know I will start the day with a smile!  

What do you do each morning that puts a smile on your face and sets you up for a positive day?