10 of the Best Ways to Start Your Day Positively
The schools in our area started a couple of weeks ago. For many of you school will start this week or next. With new routines and adapting to differing schedules . . . I thought it might be a good idea to share my favorite tips for beginning each day in ways that offer less stress and more happiness.
Do you wake up in the morning with a groan wishing you could stay in bed a few more hours?
If you’re a morning person you may be doing many of these things already. I’d like to be a morning person, an afternoon person, and an evening person . . . at least with my attitude.
This ten-step plan helps. It promises to give more energy and an improved attitude.
10 of the Best Ways to Start Your Day Positively
1) Turn your alarm off gently – Don’t throw it across the room. Then remind yourself…
This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24
2) Pull the covers up over your head – No kidding. It’s a really great way to stretch, get your blood moving, and it will be easier on your back when you make your bed. Get ready to face the day.
“Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them.” ~John C. Maxwell
[Tweet “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. “]
3) Make your bed – Right away. It is so much harder to come back to it later, and you’re standing right there anyway!
“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” ~U.S. Navy Adm. William H. McCraven quote to graduates of his alma mater.
4) Brush your teeth – Think through your day with a plan to speak only positive kind words.
“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.” ~Kahlil Gibran
5) Take a bath or shower – Use the time to repent of sins from the previous day, and watch as the Lord washes them down the drain. Praise Him for the gift of forgiveness.
But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15
6) Get dressed – In the outfit you laid out the night before, with all of its accessories as well, to save on time and frustration . . . while you get dressed imagine that you are putting on the armor of God.
Belt of Truth. Breastplate of Righteousness. Shield of Faith. Helmet of Salvation. Sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:13-18
7) Eat breakfast – I am often guilty of grabbing a cup of coffee and running out the door. But I recently discovered if you add baking mix to your oatmeal it makes a muffin.
1/3 Cup Oatmeal
1 Tbsp Baking Mix – like Bisquick
Cover with Milk
Mix and add flavor of your choice.
(1/3 banana, 2 tsp. peanut butter or Nutella, blueberries, nuts, etc.)
Microwave for 1 minute.
YUM!
8) Carry Scripture with you – Grab your Bible, download an app on your phone, or print verses on cards. A great way to memorize your favorite verses while you’re stuck in a line or traffic.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
9) Listen to praise music – There are many music choices and radio stations that vie for our attention but my day is better when I begin with praise and worship, singing along, and making a “joyful noise” to the King of kings.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Psalm 98:4
10) Arrive at your destination with a fresh outlook and a cleansed attitude – Woo Hoo!
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Would you consider becoming my accountability buddy?
Working together to start our days positively carrying His truth and kindness with us to work, school, and maybe even blessing the people with whom we live.
“Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity…” ~Og Mandino
This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice!
So start your day positively!
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Such a wonderful and motivational post! 🙂
Thank you Aishwarya! Blessings to you!
Deb, I LOVED these! I especially liked your positive prompts for taking a shower and getting dressed.And that muffin recipe sounds amazing! I’ll have to try that!Thanks for sharing!
I’m not a huge fan of oatmeal. This makes it taste like a warm yummy muffin. Thanks so much for your encouragement Karen!
Great tips. I need to remember them tomorrow. I will let you know how my day goes. 🙂
Yay Mary! I can’t wait to hear. My dad called this morning and told me about someone he met at church yesterday to wakes up and begins praising. That’ s my goal! Blessings!
Good tips Deb. The only time I have trouble getting up is when I have gone to bed too late or had a restless night from knee pain. Other than that I am a morning person so getting up and in a good mood is fairly easy for me.
Good for you Bill! I always appreciate your positive attitude. I do believe waking up cheerfully is all about God’s grace as He weaves us together. Thanks as always for your encouragement!
Easy, Practical and very do-able.
Blessings to you Deb
Love these great reminders and scriptures to create a good start to my day. So timely as our family gets back on a school schedule after the summer vacation!
Thanks Ginger! Blessings on your school year!
Deb, I enjoyed this. Especially pulling the covers over your head! 🙂 I’m not a morning person. Thanks so much.
I started pulling the covers up when we got our king-size bed. I always had trouble reaching the middle without straining my back. Pulling them up and sliding out makes it so much easier. And it feels good too! 🙂
Deb, these are some awesome tips to use to get your day going! I love all of these and use some of them already. I believe in making my bed in the morning! I hate coming home to a messy bed or room. I say affirmations first thing in the morning that will put me in a positive mood for the day…. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve become so used to making the bed that it really bothers me to walk into the room and see it unmade. Rev must feel the same way. I injured my foot recently and when I walked back into our room later in the day – he had made the bed. Woo Hoo!
I love the Word of God that is attached to every single piece of advice. We are in our 3rd week of school this week and it still hasn’t sunk in that we are here.
Every since we started homeschooling our kids, I have always made my bed the minute I get out. You are right, it is so much easier to do it when we get up and so NICE to come to in the evening when I am tired and ready to crawl under the covers.
Great list, Deb. I love how you encourage us!
Blessings,
Dawn
Great tips. I used to be a morning person, but a year ago I switched to night shift. Now I’m an night owl and it’s difficult to get going when I wake up. But thankfully I don’t have to go anywhere till late afternoon.
I’m not a good sleeper, so waking up in a good mood definitely takes some intentional determination! getting exercising right away is a big help to get me moving in the right direction.
Aren’t you a wise cookie for slipping Scripture right in there?! Changed my whole perspective on getting up in the morning. Your post brought a smile, Deb, and it will likely change my morning routine a bit as well!
Great suggestions! I love how you included a quote or scripture verse for each tip. Making the bed and getting in the Word are essentials for me, too. I like the stretching idea! I’ll need to try this.
Deb, I love this! Sharing on my FB page! Thanks for linking at Women With Intention Wednesdays! 🙂