When you wake each morning do you hit the alarm clock, stumble out of bed, and launch straight into the day? Do you reach straight for your device of choice updating yourself on the latest news, Facebook posts and emails that arrived sometime during the night?
I remember when I was in my late teens and early twenties I would routinely hit the snooze button 4 times. Why I didn’t just set my alarm for half an hour later I still do not know. Today it makes no sense to me but for years I was a chronic snooze button junkie. I’d start the day weary, stumbling my way through until morning tea time when I’d down a 2nd cup of coffee and finally feel awake. I never really planned my day. I just got up and started in whatever headspace I was in at the time. Life happened, it evolved around me and I organically fitted into the landscape of my life through some sort of morphism process.
Fast forward twenty years and my days start very differently. I’ve shifted from being a night owl to a morning person. I wake before sunrise each day and begin by quietly taking a few moments to appreciate the start of a new day, to envision a smooth and calm flowing schedule and I breathe deeply. I usually do some yoga and stretching or read a book and write while I enjoy a morning coffee. By 6:45am I’m making school lunches, answering a few emails and the day is in full swing. Even if I go flat out until 9:00pm I have taken time to care for myself and replenish my energy supplies before the demands of the day.
Our morning routine can have a powerful positive flow into your whole day. Most of us spend the majority of our days working, giving time and energy to our children, partners and employers. If there is any time left over we may manage a half hour walk in a lunch break. Often the time we need for exercise and ‘chilling out’ gets pushed to the bottom of the pecking order. We put our own self-care below that of everyone else in our lives. Keep this up for long enough and we end up burnt out, irritable, lethargic and generally stressed. We hang out for a few days off or the next weekend when nothing is scheduled. We have plans for all the things that need to be done or grand plans for what we may like to do, and when the time arrives we’re so exhausted we can’t be bothered. We aren’t productive because we need rest to fill up our depleted energy reserves.
4 things you can do to streamline your day
1. Wake before 6:30am and at the same time each day
I know we have all heard this before but it truly does make a difference. It may be difficult in the beginning but, like cutting back on caffeine and sugar, it will be worth the effort. Your body will feel more energised throughout the day.
2. Take time to breathe and be still for a few moments
If your first interaction for the day is reading your email you are starting your day in someone else’s agenda. If you begin with the news you are starting the day immersed in the stress of the world. If you begin with social media you are launching your day with a barrage of information some of which may be interesting, much of which is superficial.
Take time to envision your day the way you plan it to be. This can be done before you get out of bed, while you’re getting ready in the morning or as you commute to work. See yourself having positive interactions with clients, colleagues and family. Set the scene for your day.
3. Set the intention for your day
What do you want to achieve? What impact would you like this day to have on your life and of those with whom you interact? What can you do today that will serve others? What is one thing you will do to care for you today? Write a list in a journal or in 'Notes' on your phone.
4. Plan your day
Be specific about time frames. What times during the day will you allow yourself to read and answer emails? When we will you give yourself some time to do something for you and for how long? This may be reading, exercising, doing yoga, having coffee with a friend, calling someone for a chat or meditating.
Make use of small pockets of time. 10 minutes is enough time to pay a bill, sign the school excursion note and make the dental appointment. A 45-minute soccer training session for the kids is a great opportunity to go for a run or a walk. If you are looking after other siblings during this time, take a ball and play with them on another part of the oval.
Small changes help to clear our headspace and allow for greater flow in the day. When we feel in control of the day we experience less stress and a greater sense of satisfaction.