I would definitely call myself a morning person, but I’m also the only morning person I know! Even if you’re not, you can still make your morning something to smile about.
What you do shortly after you get out of bed can determine whether you’re going to be in a good or bad mood all day. Start yourself off on the right foot by taking some of these happiness-boosting actions (after you do your tongue scraping of course!):
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Crank up the tunes as you shower and get ready for work in the morning. Sing along to your favorite upbeat music! A University of Missouri study found that happy tunes can indeed give you a pick-me-up.
GRAB A GLASS OF FRESH ORANGE JUICE
Oranges are high in vitamin B6 and folic acid, both of which have been found lacking in patients who suffer from depression, and will help to give you a morning burst of happiness! Also, the scent of sweet orange essential oil made test-takers in one Brazilian study feel less anxious throughout the exam – and the effect of it lingered into the afternoon.
THROW YOUR BAD MOOD AWAY
This is a technique called “write and burn.” Writing negative thoughts on a piece of paper and then throwing them away can do wonders for your mood. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that this exercise can trick your brain into disposing of those bad thoughts.
EAT YOUR OMEGA 3s
Starting off your day with omega-3 fatty acids is a great way to have a happier morning. Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, says that people who eat foods high in the good-for-you fats are more upbeat. Add walnuts, flaxseeds, or chia seeds to your cereal or oatmeal, or avocado to your morning smoothie.
EXERCISE
Hitting the gym (or working out outside) not only bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins, but it also will help to wake you up. Here’s a link to my favorite workouts. There is a HUGE variety of videos at all different lengths and difficulty levels as well.
WAKE UP EARLIER
Believe it or not, rising earlier than you normally do may make you happier; a 2012 study published in the journalEmotion found that morning people are usually happier and more positive than night owls. Try to balance it out by getting to bed close to an hour earlier than you normally do.
