Let’s start this week feeling positive and productive so that we can kick off the new season feeling inspired and ready to tackle whatever comes our way! After all, life has been so much in flux lately that some grounding and positivity are certainly welcomed!
Because really… it is SO easy to get caught up in the mundane of everyday life or the stresses and ups and downs of work, study, family, and friends. When that happens it is usually our well-being that gets put on the back burner and in the long term can be detrimental to our mental space, as well as our physical health. Being run down can also lead to things like burnout, anxiety, and other stress-related symptoms.
This is why this month we want to focus on YOU and help you create some healthy habits that you can add to your routine to benefit your overall health. Lets chat about some wonderful tips for positivity and productivity to fit into your daily routine.
We’re starting with clearing our minds and getting into a positive space so that we can feel good and be productive throughout our days.
Well, let’s get on with those tips, then!
Creating a Morning Routine
First and foremost, before we start adding in those healthy habits, we need to make sure we have a nice solid routine. Having a good routine is a key building block to having a calm mind and a productive day.
Now, it’s easy to create a schedule, to-do list, or work routine and these will help you feel more in control and on top of things, but a morning routine is more like a “pre-routine”, prepping you for the other routines and things to come during the day.
A morning routine focuses on you and fills you up with good energy for your day ahead. It’s completely up to you what you decide to include in your morning routine and will depend on how much time you have. Whether it is 5 minutes of stillness in the morning, blasting your favourite song, making coffee, or maybe hitting the gym, doing some yoga or meditation, or going for a walk, it is entirely up to you and what makes YOU feel good!
Meditation
Meditation can sound a bit daunting and is often avoided due to the concept of “having to clear one’s mind” – I mean how is that even possible?! But that is where meditation is misunderstood, for it's not so much about having a completely blank mind, but more about simply observing what is going on in your mind.
Meditation can be very powerful in calming your thoughts and giving you some perspective on what might be swirling around in your mind! There are a plethora of meditation apps, free guided meditations on YouTube, along with meditation music and sounds to help ease and relax the mind. All wonderful tips for positivity! Start slow and steady with maybe a 5 or 10-minute meditation, and then work your way up. The more you practice the easier it will get to drop into stillness and let your mind relax!
Journaling - some helpful tips for positivity and productivity
A great way to check in with yourself and work through any emotions that might be sitting there is to journal. If you’re feeling stuck by the blank page in front of you and don’t know where or what to start writing, try a few of these journal prompts/ideas to help you “get in the zone”.
What lights you up – what makes you feel inspired, passionate, and excited?
What is alive for you right now – what feelings or emotions are you experiencing right now?
What are 3-5 things you are grateful for that happened in the last 24 hours?
What are you looking forward to today?
What is one thing you’re going to do for yourself today?
Positive Affirmations
Using positive affirmations can be a super powerful way to shift yourself out of a negative mindset and into a positive one.
If you wake up feeling a bit crappy or have a negative story repeating in your head, try to trade those thoughts for positive ones.
Taking a few minutes in the morning, or anytime in the day when you’re feeling a little stressed, tired, angry, or frustrated, to repeat some positive affirmations is a great way to calm your mind and feel grounded again. You can repeat whatever feels good for you at that moment, but if you’re needing a little inspiration try working with some of these affirmations.
I am enough exactly as I am.
I deserve to live a life full of love, joy, and happiness.
I am exactly where I need to be right now.
Everything is always working out for me.
I am guided in every step.
That’s it for today’s tips. Hopefully, you’ve gotten some good ideas for a few simple habits you can start adding to your routine to help you feel calm, clear, positive, and productive!