12 Ways to Improve Your Mood in The Morning According to the Experts

What’s your morning routine like? Do you hit snooze a dozen times, scroll endlessly on your phone, or reach for that trusty cup of coffee as soon as you wake up? Do you even have a morning routine or is every day different? While certain habits might feel comforting, they may not be doing your health any favors. If you’re waking up feeling groggy or in a funk every single day, your morning rituals might be to blame. But you can change all that! Inspired by an article from Trauma Research UK, here are some expert-approved morning habits guaranteed to kickstart your day and boost your mood. Let’s make mornings something to smile about!

Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

Drink Water

While we sleep, our bodies dehydrate. Just think about it. During the day, we rarely spend eight hours without drinking water, right? One of the best things to do as soon as you wake up is to drink a huge glass of water. If this is too challenging, you can turn on your kettle and make tea. The warmth of a nice green or black tea may make it easier for you to drink that much-needed water.

No Decision-Making

Many people start their day by checking their emails and texts and planning their day. This can be useful and productive, but it should be done at the end of your morning routine when you are ready to start your day. There is no need to busy your head with your thousands of daily duties. Your morning should just be a moment to relax and enjoy life. This also means minimizing all decisions, such as what to wear, how to go to work, what to eat, etc. Plan everything ahead for a stress-free morning.

Wake Up Your Nerves

What does this even mean? If you wake up tired, you should probably reevaluate your night routine. However, there is a quick fix that will help you wake up and feel fresh without too much effort. A cold shower, even for only a few seconds, can help you wake up the nerves quickly. Plus, accomplishing something in the early morning will help you improve your mood for the day.

Move Your Body

There is no need for a five-kilometer run; however, moving your body in the morning is a great way to boost your mood. Why not try a quick fifteen-minute yoga session or some gentle training? This simple habit will help you start your day in the best possible way, giving you a feeling of accomplishment that will boost your mood. Try it for a few days and see if you notice a difference.

Get Some Sunlight

Can you let natural light into your bedroom before heading to sleep? For instance, you may leave your curtains open so that you can wake up naturally instead of relying on an alarm. Another option is to have breakfast on your balcony if there is sunshine and you don’t live in a cold area. Nothing is more heartwarming and relaxing than feeling the sun on your skin early in the morning.

Stretch

Here is another quick and easy habit to help you feel energized and happy. Spend a few minutes every morning stretching every muscle in your body. Start from the top, moving your neck and shoulders to then focus on your back, legs, and ankles. This will help reduce the stiffness you often feel after sleeping for hours while improving your flexibility daily.

Eat Something Healthy

While it is not mandatory, having a healthy, nourishing breakfast can greatly boost your happiness. This is a little gift from yourself to yourself to enjoy every morning. The options are endless. Scrambled eggs on toast with avocado, a smoothie full of veggies and fruits, a warm bowl of porridge with cacao powder, and pieces of apples on top… be creative!

Gratitude Practice

Gratitude practices are one of the best ways to focus on what truly matters. You may be about to face one of the most stressful weeks at work, yet spending a few minutes daily writing down everything you are grateful for can help you stay focused on positivity. You can list everything, from your children to your pet or even the smell of coffee early in the morning.

Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are a great habit to add to your morning routine. These can help you let go of negative thinking habits while pushing you to consider more positive options. Here are a few examples for you to try: ‘My efforts help me succeed,’ ‘I am happy to be me,’ ‘I’m on the right path.’ Repeat these out loud a few times and give it time. You may need a few weeks to start noticing the difference.

Go Out For A Walk

If you have enough time, we highly suggest you go out for a walk in your neighborhood. You may decide to go to work on foot or take your morning coffee in a nearby place to spend some time outdoors before heading to your office. You will be surprised by how this simple habit can boost your mood and put everything in perspective.

Avoid Scrolling On Your Phone

Resisting the urge to scroll through random social media platforms is sometimes irresistible. However, we should all do our best to avoid this early in the morning. You don’t want to get that dopamine boost so early on. Plus, starting your day with such a bad habit is not a wise choice. You can do so many other things instead. Read a book, listen to music, or chat with your partner.

Meditate

Similarly to a gratitude practice, a quick meditation can help you silence the thousands of voices in your head and bring more clarity and positivity to your mind. If you are new to this practice, plenty of videos online will help you start. Remember that it can be hard to follow along at the beginning. However, you will probably start feeling the positive results of meditation after the first few weeks. So, be patient!

This article was inspired by Trauma Research UK.