Stop Morning Crankiness With These 12 Life Hacks

Facebook LinkedIn Email Flipboard Pinterest WhatsApp

Let’s face it: we’re not all morning people, and some of us definitely wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Just because you wake up cranky doesn’t mean that you have to stay cranky for the rest of the day. That would be an utter waste of a day. There are ways to fix this, and we got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore 12 mindful practices that can help you kickstart your day on a positive note and keep you smiling all day long.

Gratitude Journaling

Begin your day by expressing gratitude for the small and significant things in life. Grab a journal and jot down at least three things you’re thankful for. it doesn’t have to be different every single day because every day, you can be grateful for your health, your family, or your job, and that can be enough. Or perhaps you can choose to be grateful for the morning sun, a warm cup of tea, or the love of family and friends. Recognizing the good in our lives sets a positive tone for the day, reminding us of the beauty that surrounds us.

Mindful Breathing

Take a moment for mindful breathing. Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and then exhale slowly. Feel the air entering your lungs and the stress leaving your body. This practice helps center your mind, preparing you for a day of mindfulness and calm, inviting in a peaceful state of being. Deep breathing can also help you identify different feelings or emotions and not act impulsively. It’s a great way to pause before you react or speak. Practice it daily to make it part of your morning routine.

Morning Stretches

woman doing yoga, resting — Depositphotos.

Gentle stretches in the morning awaken your body, enhancing flexibility and blood circulation. These stretches promote physical and emotional well-being, preparing you for the day’s adventures. You can do stretches while you’re still lying in bed before you get up. You can do them before or after your exercise routine or your morning walk, but definitely incorporate them as part of your morning routine.

Meditation

Set aside a few minutes to meditate and find your inner peace. Focus on your breath, allowing your thoughts to drift away. This practice promotes mental clarity and emotional stability, empowering you to face the day with a tranquil mind. If you incorporate meditation into your daily habits, you will notice improvement in how you handle emotions, in your overall thought process, and in the way you approach challenges that may arise throughout the day.

Healthy Breakfast

Start your day with a nutritious breakfast, rich in fiber and essential nutrients. Fueling your body with healthy food provides the energy needed to power through the morning and beyond, enhancing your vitality and well-being. Eat a variety of fruits and veggies, and add your favorite source of protein and fiber. When you’re hungry, you’re cranky. If you don’t start your day with a healthy, balanced breakfast, you’ll be irritable the rest of the day.

Mindful Hydration

Before diving into the day’s activities, hydrate your body with a glass of water. This simple act rehydrates your system, aiding in digestion and promoting a healthy start to the day. If you’re like most of us, we slumber over to the coffee maker and get that going without any regard to the fact that our bodies our dehydrated, which can lead to morning dehydration and crankiness. Drink water while the coffee is brewing.

Unplug and Connect

Steer clear of your devices for the first hour of your day. Instead, connect with loved ones, share laughter, and appreciate the beauty of relationships. It’s about investing time in the real world before immersing ourselves in the digital. If you’re too cranky to talk to anyone first thing in the morning, go back to mindful breathing or meditation. Take a few minutes to calm your mind, crankiness, and possible anxiety before interacting with others in the household.

Nature Appreciation

Step outside, breathe in the fresh air and soak up the beauty of nature. Whether it’s a walk in the garden or simply admiring the sunrise, connecting with the natural world rejuvenates the soul and offers a peaceful start to your day. This can be done as easily as opening up your curtains and windows and taking in the beauty from outside, even if it’s just a blade of grass or a butterfly passing by.

Mindful Affirmations

Recite affirmations that resonate with your goals and aspirations. Speak words of positivity as soon as you feel negative thoughts start invading your head space. Affirmations set the tone for a productive and optimistic day. You may not feel like reciting “today’s going to be a great day” when you’re cranky, but give it a go anyway and watch what happens. Eventually, you’ll believe it to be true.

Exercise Routine

Let’s face it: when we feel good on the outside, we can’t help but feel good on the inside too. Now, let’s reverse that. If you feel tired, fat, and lazy all the time, that’s how you will feel emotionally and mentally. No wonder you’re cranky in the morning! If you aren’t exercising now, start doing that today. Even 15 minutes a day will do wonders.

Set Daily Intentions

Before diving into your to-do list, take a few moments to set clear intentions for the day. Reflect on what you wish to achieve and how you plan to navigate the day mindfully, focusing on what truly matters. Keeping an agenda or checklist is very useful for getting things done. If your to-do list stresses you out and is part of your crankiness, it might be time to either delegate some tasks to others or shorten your list.

Reflection and Gratitude

As you wrap up your morning routine, take a moment to reflect on the practices you’ve engaged in. Express gratitude for this time you’ve dedicated to yourself, setting the stage for a day filled with purpose and joy. By taking the time to reflect on everything we have in our lives to be grateful for and all the opportunities and blessings we have, you’ve set the tone for a great day ahead.

Conclusion

The key to embracing the best of your life lies in cherishing the early hours of your day. By infusing mindfulness and purpose into your morning routine, you set the stage for a day that’s filled with peace, productivity, and passion. May your mornings be filled with joy, peacefulness, good coffee, and butterflies.