Don’t roll out of bed and into work. Instead, make sure you engage in some self-care practices first. This is a great way to check in with yourself and ensure that you don’t start off in a negative mood – something that can put a damper on your whole day. Of course, the opposite is also true: Starting your work day in a positive mood can make you feel better throughout your day. There are a few ways in which you can do this.
Spend Time in a Quiet Setting
Spending time working on your mental health by engaging in mindfulness practices each morning helps you be more productive. Chanel Dokun, a relationship expert and life planner, has what she’s titled the “reclaim the morning” practice. This involves spending the first 20 – 30 minutes each morning alone. During this time, you can listen to what the passions of your heart’s pursuits are.
It’s easier to do this in the morning when your voice is the loudest one since you haven’t let the outside world in yet. How you choose to use this time is totally up to you, but Dokun recommends journaling or taking a “sacred pause” (a moment alone to think about your day’s goals).
Engage in Physical Activity
An important part of mental health is engaging in physical activity. It doesn’t have to be anything strenuous. A short, 5-minute walk each morning is a great way to start your day. Research suggests that the rhythm of exercise can help you get centered, so you feel calmer. Taking a walk outside also gives you the added benefit of fresh air.
However, if you choose to move your body is up to you. The end result is still the same: You’ll positively affect your mental health. Studies have shown that exercise reduces depression. If you can’t find the time to do a little exercise each day, you should at least try to go outside and stretch for a few minutes. Dokun believes that it isn’t how much time you spend exercising that matters but the fact that you’re doing something.
Begin Each Day with Spoiling Yourself
This can look many different ways depending on who you are. However, at the heart of this, you’ll still find that it’s about doing something you love or treating yourself to something you enjoy. These simple actions will give your mental health a positive boost, especially in the morning before you go to work. At this time, you may feel you aren’t in control of your life, so you roll over and go back to sleep for as long as possible. Spoiling yourself each morning doesn’t have to be difficult or timely. What matters is that you’re doing it.
What it all comes down to is this…
Taking care of yourself and your mental health is part of professional development. Spending time in self-development makes you more effective professionally. For help taking care of yourself better, check out the programs we offer at Mission Addiction in Dayton, OH.
