Setting the right tone

How do you start your day? Why does it matter? Do you know when you are strongest and most productive? Can you change the productivity cycle you currently have? Again, so many questions and all of them make a difference. Do you start your day with a 30-minute meditation session? Do you start with a hard work out? Do you start by hitting the snooze button until the last possible minute? This truly matters as this sets the tone for your entire day. Think about a time when you woke up energized, then the coffeemaker broke, the hot water tank didn’t work, then you got a flat tire on the way to work, etc…..

Now, think of how you state of mind changed with each occurrence before you even arrived at work or began planning your day. You may have started off well, but then things accumulated and culminated to change your positive mind set to a negative mind set. How about working in an environment or in a field that is not exciting to you? Toxic workplaces can have long term effects on your health and outlook as well. So, now we see the importance of starting off on the right foot, so to speak. Reducing stress can begin the moment you open your eyes. You can clear your mind, you can get in a good workout or a run, you can set positive habits and a positive mindset from the minute your feet hit the floor.

According to Alton (2020), positive mindsets not only reduce stress, but they also reduce the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure) or depression. We certainly have enough problems in the world today without adding more, especially those that contribute to poor health. So, being in the moment is another great way to develop habits that allow us to stop dwelling on the past (Alton, 2020). Have you ever continuously repeated an argument in your head, or kept going over and over a conversation that just really bothered you?

Behavioral patterns and those pesky paradigms or habits are difficult to break away from, but you can change negative thoughts, negative habits, and retrain your brain as you would retrain your body. The mind can be more resistant and more difficult, but anything worth achieving is certainly worth the effort. I still battle poor habits in terms of repeatedly going over and over a situation that hurt me or made me upset in some way. I have now taught myself however, to recognize this negative pattern and I have found ways to change the pattern of thought.

So, as we head into the weekend, start thinking about positive events, positive ways to make yourself happy, and then start really working on a good, solid plan to reinforce any changes you wish to implement. Being more grateful, focusing on what you have, focusing on the fact that maybe you managed to stay healthy through this challenging time are all great ways to start living positive and healthy. Congratulate yourself on meeting that goal of 8-10 glasses of water a day. Give yourself a small reward when you have done particularly well through the week.

Seek out comedy shows, laugh with your loved ones, plant some flowers if you live in a climate that permits ongoing gardening. Challenge yourself to set a new schedule and remind yourself daily and often of the importance of the new schedule and why you want to make this positive change in your life. And remember, your human. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss the first time, or if you slip. Have an amazing and wonderful weekend and stay healthy, stay focused and stay hydrated.

References

Alton, L. (2020, June 11). 7 Practical Tips to Achieve a Positive Mindset. Retrieved November 13, 2020, from https://www.success.com/7-practical-tips-to-achieve-a-positive-mindset/