Ever wake up feeling grumpy for no reason? It’s been happening to me a lot lately and that’s why I’m writing this blog. More importantly…It not only happens to me – It happens to everyone, and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Check out these six simple steps that can help you switch from feeling down to rocking your day. We’ll cover tried and true methods like journaling, taking slow deep breaths, and more!
1. Say It’s Okay to Feel Meh First things first, if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, it’s totally okay to admit it. You’re not weird or broken; sometimes, our brains just start the day off funky. Recognize those blah feelings without making a big deal about them. I’ve, personally, lost count of how many times I’ve written, in my mental health journal, that I’m feeling anxious and stressed, first thing in the morning. I read somewhere that loads of people wake up feeling meh, it’s what we do with the rest of the day that matters! So, let’s not let a case of the morning blues keep us down!
2. Breathe with Purpose Try this: take a deep breath in, hold it for a couple of seconds, then let it out slow. Doing this a few times can really relax you. Deep breathing is awesome for kicking stress and anxiety to the curb and helping you focus on right now. You can also try Box Breathing – slowly breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds AND REPEAT! There are so many ways to practice breathing. A quick Google search will help you find a breathing method that works for you.
3. Write It Down Grab a journal and write down whatever’s on your mind. It doesn’t have to make perfect sense—just getting those thoughts out on paper can make you feel lighter and less cluttered upstairs. This step is super good for when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. I use my Breathe 90-Day Mental Health Journal to get my messy thoughts out of my head and onto paper. If you’re interested, check out my journal by clicking here. Just don’t write in your journal as though you think someone’s going to read it! You need to get your feelings and thoughts out, on paper, exactly how they come to you and that might be messy. Messy is okay. Get messy, write messy, no editing, just purge your thoughts! Trust me, it feels fantastic!
4. Get Moving Do some stretches, dance to your favourite song, or take a quick walk. Moving around sends signals to your brain to pump out endorphins—those happy chemicals that make you feel amazing. It’s a great way to beat the blues and show yourself some love. Did someone say ABBA? Or, better yet, The Gypsy Kings! If neither of those choices work for you, that’s okay. You. Do. You!
5. Spend Time Outside If you can, step outside. Even a few minutes breathing fresh air and looking at trees or the sky can do wonders. It helps you feel more awake and glued to the present moment—plus, nature is just plain soothing. I’ve made myself a promise to go for a walk EVERYDAY, rain or shine. Even if it’s for 5 minutes! The key is to do it everyday in order to make it a habit. I find everyday easier to stick to then every other day. We’re not training for a marathon; we’re lifting our mood!
6. Plan Something Fun Think about something fun you can do later today. Maybe it’s playing a game, watching an interesting interview, or hanging out with friends. Having something to look forward to can flip your mood upside down in a good way! I’m currently obsessed with The Diary of a CEO Podcast by Stephen Bartlett. It’s fantastic. I found out about it because he interviewed another favourite of mine, Mel Robbins.
In a nutshell, using these steps when you’re not feeling great in the morning can really help you become more mindful and present. Remember, taking care of your vibes is a big part of being happy and ready for whatever the day throws at you. Let’s make every morning a good one!
I’m going to leave you with this question: Is life happening too you, or for you? Don’t let a bad morning dictate the rest of your day!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Do you have a morning ritual that helps make your day amazing, even if you wake up meh?