Americans have become a “dreader breed”. Somewhere along the way we stopped enjoying and started scowling. People dread working out, change, other people, traffic, lines, waiting, work, the alarm, bills, the economy, politics, technology, commercials…. Shouldn’t we be focusing on what we enjoy instead of what we dread?

Take traffic. Okay, so if it’s hot and you have no AC that’s rough, I hear you. But most things aside, it’s just another one of those instances we allow ourselves to get worked up and frustrated in. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could stay calm and not let it bother you? Not have the anxiety about missing your plane, train, appointment, or meeting? You can! YOU have the power to become a healthier, happier, calmer, more productive person, and all it takes is shifting your thought patterns and outlook.

Let’s start with the Morning Blues — Getting your day started on the right foot is key.

Change your mindset: Wake up early. Life is meant to be lived while we’re conscious. There is plenty of time to catch up on those Zz’s but remind yourself there is a whole world out there waiting for you to come change it. If you seem to only be having ‘you’ time during your lunch break and after dinner, then that is not living; that’s getting by.

Breakfast. Don’t skip it! Get up 30 minutes before you need to and make yourself a cup of coffee and eat something that will energize you. If it’s warm out, even better — Sit outside and enjoy the sun.

Peace & quiet. If you rise before the rest think about how calming that atmosphere must be; just you and your thoughts. It’s a great time to do something for yourself. Go for a walk, read the paper, write, or set some goals for the day.

Find your energy boost. If you go to bed at a decent hour, eat right, exercise, and hydrate, once 6 or 7am rolls around you’ll be ready to jump out of bed and see what the day has to offer. If you’re waking up tired and unable to function, you’re probably not getting enough sleep to leave you feeling refreshed the next day. This could also be related to stress, which we’ll cover in another post.

Take pleasure in the simple things. The sun. The birds. The slight chill in the air. How quiet it is around you. Relax.

Set the tone for the rest of the day. If your morning is bad, chances are the first half of your day is going to be bad, especially if your local coffee shop (if you drink coffee) screws up your order. Get yourself in the mindset that living a new day is exciting; it’s an unwritten chapter just waiting for your pen to take it over. Get excited about that! And so what if you have to ask they re-make your coffee. It will make everything seem less stressful and more rewarding.

Live a longer day. The sooner you wake up in the morning the more time you are able to spend doing the things you love, especially on the weekends. Think of how much more you could see your family & friends, and the things you could do.

Healthier. Being on a normal schedule will improve your overall health. You’ll feel more alert.

Some “plans” ask you pick a start-date and prep yourself before shifting your routine. I say start tomorrow. Why wait another day?