Whenever I come to class or work in the Morning, Class mates and Colleagues alike don’t fail to notice the good positive vibes that I carry along. Most of them can’t hold making statement like this… “Michelle always on positive mood”. I take that as a complement. However, I put on a Positive mood because I want to keep that positive outlook throughout the day and not hurt my mental state by feeling down and also because my brain is in sync with my body.

There are mornings you wake up but don’t have the desire to get out of Bed and start the day. Maybe, from not getting enough sleep or a carry-over of the stress of the other day. Resulting to lazy self and feeling of not ready for the day. 

When a positive Start of the Morning feels too hard and no desire to get on. I simply speak positivity to myself. 
Here are few things that I do to keep me going throughout the Day. 

Give yourself a reason to get out of Bed

This is a self-to-self conversation. Why should I get out of bed? The reason to get out of Bed can vary from person to person. A new day is a gift and waking up to the new day with a purpose encourages self-productivity. It could be to sign a mouthwatering contract, simply go to work because your financial backing or personal satisfaction depends on it. It could also be to meet friends.  In addition, they say that each day is pregnant, and we may not know what it brings until we’ve lived through it. Finding a reason to get out of bed motivates you to really get going without feeling lazy and to optimistically looking forward and spending the day as time passes.  

Take Water first thing in the morning

Water is one of the most important components for a healthy diet. Not only does it nourish your body by hydrating your cells, but it also fills your stomach so you are less hungry. When you drink water in the morning, it hydrates not only your skin but also your cells, keeping them energized and strong against invaders or fatigue. Water also rids the body of harmful toxins, such as those caused by illness and stress. Drink water to boost your metabolism and banish fatigue, sluggishness and sleepiness.  Keeping a water bottle with you at all times is the best way to stay tempted to treat your body right by drinking water.

Yoga poses and planking up to 3 Minutes

We stretch in the morning without knowing it. Whether in bed or when we get out of bed. There is always a reason why our brain triggers our body to stretch itself. It feels so good to stretch after a good sleep. Studies have shown that exercising in the morning fires up metabolism and releases endorphins to keep your mood positive throughout the day.

I plank 60 seconds each for 3 minutes and some yoga poses. It gets me in the mood to start the day dancing to my favorite music played by Alexa my favorite voice assistant. Whether aerobics, yoga or cardio, they are all aimed to boost your metabolism and mental positivity. If you are someone who doesn’t like working out in the morning, A mild stretch of 5 to 10 minutes could definitely be what you need to stimulate those muscles for the day’s activities. 

Try getting enough Sleep

Getting a full night of undisturbed sleep not only leaves you feeling energized for a new day, but it helps your body metabolize your food much more efficiently. When they body is in the resting state during sleep, it actually works much harder to process energy than if you were to sit on the sofa watching the television. Furthermore, if you are fully rested, you are more likely to take on projects with more vigor and energy the next day.  Try drinking a cup of milk, switching off the light or getting a light dinner promotes long night sleep. 

Talk and think positivity 

This might be hard to do but I learnt something from a friend. When I was down, I called him to talk about my issues because I needed someone to talk to. He said, “Michelle, you have a problem, can you solve it?” I said yes. And he replied, “then do it and stop thinking and ruminating on it” and he asked again. “Michelle, you have a health problem, can you heal yourself” I said no. and he said “find out about the primary things to help yourself and try not thinking about it because it complicates the situation”. Thinking so much about a problem reduces sleep and makes the situation more complex. Studies have shown that ruminating on situations can lead to anxiety and stress, robbing you of a good night rest and fueling your system with Fatigue. 

Fill your thoughts with positive things. What you can’t influence, thinking cannot change the situation rather it hinders you from moving forward and find a better alternative to the problem. Try reading a book, take a walk or play a relaxing music before bedtime. 

Avoid eating Sugar

You already know it; Sugar is the new fat. Most of my colleagues (Nurses) crave for chocolates, cakes and other snacks with sugar substances to soothe their stress for the day. However, studies have shown that, using sugar to lift negative mood and soothe stress can negatively influence our mood all day. Consuming sugar increases serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, memory and social behavior. Because sugar increases serotonin levels, you feel happier but for a short time, causing our brain to crave sugar again and again. 

That sugar has some negative effects on our mental state, does not mean, we should ditch sugar totally. There are also alternative ways to get sugar. Instead of sugary beverages, opt for natural ways to get sugar by taking fruits and vegetable. 

Get a balanced Diet 

Balanced life requires balanced diets. Having a balanced diet means taking into your system all the essential food sources and nutrients in their right value each day. A healthy diet promotes a healthy gut, which communicates with the brain through the so-called gut-brain interface. The microbes in the Gut produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine that regulate our mood and emotions, and the gut microbiome has been linked to mental health. A diet rich in complex carbs, lean protein, fruits and veggies is a good meal to not only enhance our daily mood but also keep us focused all day.

Get a Night Bath

Absolutely, a bath can help you fall asleep faster as well as giving you a quality sleep. A good night bath lowers your body temperature, relaxes the body and mind. Depending on the water temperature you enjoy bathing with, you still have more to benefit from taking a bath before bed. Using essential oils which promote relaxation in your bathing routine will help you fall asleep fast and keep you energized the next day. Lavender and eucalyptus oil are my best go to essential oil for a bath.

Finally, keeping a positive mood all day can be difficult for so many people especially, for people in chronic diseases, social and financial struggles. However, the benefits of keeping a positive mood and attitude not only promotes health but also keep you socially healthy with people around you. All the factors mentioned in this article are all basic self-care which promotes health. 

Sources

Vieux, Florent, Maillot Matthieu, Rehm Colin D, Barrios Pamela, und Drewnowski Adam. 2019. The Timing of Water and Beverage Consumption During the Day Among Children and Adults in the United States: Analyses of NHANES 2011–2016 Data. 8. November. Zugriff am February 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893716/#B14-nutrients-11-02707.

Schumacher, Leah M, Thomas J.Graham, Raynor Hollie A, Rhodes Ryan E, und Bond Dale S. 2020. Consistent Morning Exercise May Be Beneficial For Individuals with Obesity. October. Zugriff am 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7492403/pdf/nihms-1593938.pdf.

The Swaddle. 2020. Why do we stretch when we wake up? 25. June. Zugriff am 2023. Why Do We Instinctively Stretch When We Wake Up?https://theswaddle.com/why-do-we-instinctively-stretch-when-we-wake-up/

Zwarensteyn, Jill. 2023. Showering Before Bed – Is It a Good or a Bad Idea? 14. February. Zugriff am 2023. https://www.sleepadvisor.org/showering-before-bed/.

Rutledge, Thomas. 2021. Sugar May Be Stealing Your Happiness. 22. May. Zugriff am 2023. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-healthy-journey/202105/sugar-may-be-stealing-your-happiness.