Simple Steps to Identify and Change Bad Habits

Starting Your Day Off on the Right Foot

Not everyone gets out of bed in the morning easily and in a good mood. Some can bounce out of bed eagerly anticipating the day and will talk your ear off if there’s anyone to listen. Others groggily stagger out of bed reluctantly and you better not speak to them or they’ll bite your head off.

Which of these describes you? Or do you fall somewhere in between? Which would you rather be? Typically, the person who bounds out of bed wide awake is the person who gets more done in the morning and is happier to do it. This isn’t always true. Some get just as much work done; it just takes them longer to get to it.

If you’re not happy with your morning habits and want to change, it can be done but it has to be a concerted effort on your part. Many people don’t want to change. They’ve been that way for years and it works for them. On the other hand, who wants to be an old grouch in the morning making yourself and everyone else miserable?

You can become an early happy riser and make it a habit you will embrace. First, admit your current method of waking up in the morning isn’t working and you want to change.
Be willing to try a different method and realize it may not be the first different method you try that will transform you into a new you.

Creating some new habits is important. Prepare yourself for bed with the same routine if possible. Start with a healthy diet. Stay away from heavy fatty foods and sugars before bedtime. Eat dinner early. Of course, no caffeine or other stimulant before bedtime.

Try the early healthy dinner a few nights and make a note as to how you feel the next morning. Is it working? If not, don’t give up. You just need to add more and different methods to your morning madness.

Exercise daily. The better shape your body is in the better it will sleep and the better you’ll feel each morning. Morning exercise is usually more helpful than just before bedtime. Nighttime exercise can get the blood flowing too much for you to fall right to sleep.

Do something pleasant before going to bed to put you in a good mood. Read a good book for a few minutes. Don’t get so caught up in it that you can’t put it down. Don’t balance your check book or pay bills before going to bed. Money worries are one of the main causes of sleeplessness.

Anticipate the morning routine. Don’t give yourself something boring to look forward to.
Make time for at least some morning exercise even if it’s just stretching. Perhaps, sit outside and greet the sunrise with a morning juice. Count your blessings and plan your day.

Make sure you allow time to eat a healthy breakfast to give your body and mind fuel for the day ahead.

Once you’ve established a new morning habit of rising early, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that bad habits are easier to kick and good habits easier to adopt.