Does every day seem like you’re just catching up with the day before? Do you feel like nothing is getting accomplished and you’re just bigger a bigger hole with no chance of getting out?
While we might not be able to make an immediate change there are a few things in the morning before you even start the day to ensure it gets going in the right direction or at least you can mark one thing off your list even if nothing else gets done that day. Here’s five ways to improve your life in the first minutes of your day.
1. Don’t Get on Your Device.
I need to practice what I preach here, but many of us find ourselves checking email, Facebook and Instagram before we even get out of bed. Somehow that five minutes turns into 10 and then next thing we know we are 20 minutes deep into Facebook, the kids aren’t up yet and you have to move into mom mode on superdrive to get everyone out the door and hopefully before the tardy bell rings or your boss starts looking at your empty desk.
I know it’s hard to believe, but the world will wait for your to read Facebook when you start going for the day. However, if you do have the kind of job that expects you to read your social media or at least a few emails, try to build that into after you’ve had your shower or while you’re hard at work on number 4.
2. Make Your Bed.
I hate this one, but it works. Several years ago I came to the conclusion that if there was nothing I could get done that day at least I had made my bed. It’s the first thing you get out of and the last thing of the day you get into, so you should make it kinda special. I let myself slide sometimes, especially on the weekend, but I’ve never regretted walking in after a hard day and seeing that bed made up just for me. It’s like that lovely feeling you get when you walk into a hotel room, but better, since no one expect you to pay for it the next morning.
Need a new mattress? Here’s the tips on how you can find the right one for you!
3. Plan Your Day.
Many people think that getting on their device is helping to plan the day; actually the only thing it does is help you pile on more to-dos without actually getting the ones under it complete. So get out a piece of paper and write down FIRST what you need to accomplish today. Then write down the things you’d like to accomplish, but it won’t kill you if you don’t. And then write down the “I wish…” list, the things you know you won’t get to, but want to and build in just 5 minutes that day to think about how this list becomes the “Must Do” list.
A few years ago my bucket list included a trip to Italy, but it just seemed like it would never happen, but that’s because I wouldn’t sit down and plan it. One day I just decided to put the date on the calendar and that night I would look for a ticket just to see how much they would cost. In two hours (about the time it takes to watch two episodes of Mad Men), I figured out I had enough points to fly for free, I had found a few hotels for super cheap and I had enough time to ask my mom to watch the kids. That quick I was able to make my bucket list happen. All because of five minutes.
4. Move, even if only a little bit.
I’d love to say I start everyday with a workout, but some days just don’t allow for the spin class or even 20 minutes on the treadmill. But getting out of bed to do a few stretches (think sun salutation) to get the blood flowing, will do your body wonders. If you are going to be in the car or at the desk for most of the day make sure to concentrate on the hip and back area. Let them move around since they will be stagnant most of the day. If you don’t take care of your core, you’ll be hunched over and creating many more problems for your body down the road.
Check out The Mom Workout for real exercises to work your body and get your list done!
Or you could be curling your hair while you do squats or a few ab exercises while you apply your makeup. Just because you aren’t sweating doesn’t mean it won’t make a difference. Plus even just a few endorphins will give you the feeling of a happy day…and that’s never bad before the day even begins!
5. Eat Breakfast.
Why is this one so hard when breakfast is so good to eat? However, I never make time for breakfast for me even though I make breakfast for the kids everyday. However, my waiting to eat until lunch actually was making me fatter by slowing down my metabolism and basically sabotaging my own day. While I understand sitting down to bacon, eggs and pancakes isn’t part of the AM schedule, but a delicious hand-held one you can take in the car makes eating a healthy, nutritious breakfast possible.
There’s a lot of things you can do if you’re in a rush:
- Smoothies and shakes are always a great quick option with lots of protein
- Breakfast Taco Enchiladas can be made in advance, frozen and then warmed up for a hearty breakfast
- Healthy doughnuts are a homerun in our house and take no time to cook!
For me, I LOVE the new Jimmy Dean Delights Applewood Smoked Chicken Sausage with egg whites and sharp cheese on English muffin. At 300 calories or less, the entire Jimmy Dean Delights line with flatbreads, sandwiches and bowl choices makes it convenient to get a tasty breakfast with protein (the important part of any meal) in just a few minutes in the microwave. So the next time you go to your grocery store and pick up waffles for the kids consider picking any of the different Jimmy Dean Delights sandwiches for the whole family. (If you can score the maple pancake and turkey sausage griddlers or cinnamon glazed french toast and turkey sausage griddlers, you’ll definitely get high fives from the kids!)
Five minutes may not seem like much but it can make a big difference to your day and your happiness.
Do you have any suggestions or thoughts what you can do to change your life in five minutes?
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I’m always sure to not log on to anything until I’ve gotten up, showered, and made my bed. For me, making my bed is a must to a good start to my day! I am awful about eating breakfast, though, Jimmy Dean does help!
Thanks for the great tips. The day always goes much smoother for me when it starts out on a good note.
Breakfast is my most favorite meal of the day and while I don’t have time every morning to make something fresh, I could live on pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, bacon, all of it! The Jimmy Dean Delights breakfast sandwiches were my savior during my first trimester because they were quick, easy and gave me the protein punch I needed to survive the morning.
I am so bad about not eating a good breakfast every morning. We even have Jimmy Dean in the freezer right now and I still forget!
That is awesome advice! I try and take some me time, plan my day – take a deep breath and gear up.
I need to try these things out tomorrow morning. I bet they’ll really give me a head start on the day.
My day starts with coffee or nothing else happens. haha! Then I jump into my emails since I tend to have a ton. And after that it’s breakfast if I don’t get too far into work. Thanks for the tips.
Making my bed + breakfast are key for me! I will have to try these sandwiches- I’m always running too far behind to have cereal!
I love this post. I am totally sharing it on my blog tomorrow!
You can see my posts at http://runwright,net
I need to learn to not get on my device. I have a bad habit of getting on my phone for a bit as soon as I get up.
I love Jimmy Dean Delights! They make for a wonderful breakfast!
You know, it is so funny, I just got these Jimmy Dean’s a bit ago and just loved them… they were so delicious and ful-filling.
#1 is my main problem. I always check emails first if the kids aren’t awake. I need to change that and grab one of those delicious sandwiches instead!
These are great tips for having a great day. I always try to remember to eat breakfast but sometimes i am to rushed. I will have to try planning my day ahead of time.
These are such great ideas. It is always amazing how much the small things make a difference, especially eating breakfast. Not to mention those sandwiches look delicious.
Drink a glass of water right after you wake up.
If I don’t have time or energy to make a breakfast, I make a smoothie instead. Takes 3-5 minutes, and by adding a scoop or two of a whey protein, there’s enough protein in it to get me moving until lunch (plus, yummy).
5 minutes of morning meditation! Makes such a difference.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love to try all these Jimmy Dean’s!!
Morning meditation!
For me what works is instantly focusing on the positive in any situation.
One easy way to improve your health is to drink water in place of soft drinks. The calories alone will result in weight loss.
I always try to get up before my kids and get started for the day by having a glass of water.
5 minutes of walking, jumping jacks, or running around with the dogs – any sort pf physical activity – always makes me feel good!
I put on a song I LOVE! Gets me moving – cheers me up – makes my mood change (if needed). And it’s FREE!
I meal prep and pack lunches the night before..doesn’t take more than 5 min
I always get fully dressed, even though I work from home. I have found that if I look lazy and unkempt, I feel lazy and unkempt.
Take a moment to breathe and count your blessings.
Be consistent. Make sure your tummy and brain are fed by having a good for you and good tasting breakfast every morning without fail!
Just spend 5 minutes doing nothing… meditate to success.
TO save time in the morning I prepare as much as I can the night before. I want to be able to get up and not worry about looking for things. I even have the car packed and ready since it stays in the garage.
I need to stretch my calves and drink some water as part of my morning routine.
It’s always important to see things in a positive light to decrease ones stress.
What I could do is cut out all chocolate and loose weight.
drink more water
These are some great tips. I can not think of any.
PRAY !!! PRAY !!! PRAY !!!! & Prep & Prepare for next day when possible !!!!!
I have to set my clothes out the night before or I’ll never get out in time.
I take some time to meditate and eat a nice breakfast to start the day!
spend 5 minutes petting a cat. Always makes me feel better.
My tip is to spend 5 minutes at the end of the day getting things ready for the next day, it makes my mornings a lot easier which makes my day go much better.
Start exercising just 5 mins a day and add 5 mins a week until you work up to 1/2 hour.
5 minutes a day to be grateful for what you have!
Spending five minutes cleaning up each night would make my life easier!
Get up and get moving!
I could get more organized with the mail.
I definitely need to stop checking my phone in bed. After hubby leaves for work I have 45 minutes I could accomplish cleaning before the kids are up.
For me it being able to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning
It’s amazing what you can clean in five minutes!
I think spending 5 minutes a day alone would be helpful to my mood.
The daily drinking of 2 cups of tea that contains hibiscus can lower blood pressure!
Reading a daily inspiration quote
Making the conscious decision to make a change takes one second…sticking to it is the hard part!
menu plan
Spending even those 5 minutes in prayer makes my day brighter!
i cant think of any. Maybe organize something?
5 minutes in the morning can make a big difference if you take the time to eat breakfast and a cup of coffee.
To save 5 minutes in the morning I get everything I need to make my morning coffee the night before and then program the coffee maker to start brewing about 15 minutes after I wake up.
I can replace my iced coffee with water, park a little further away so I can walk a little more each day, and make sure I eat better!
Read your Bible, even for 5 minutes a day, and it will change your life!
With 5 minutes each day, I take that time to remind me that I someone that does matter.
Morning or bedtime yoga. The right poses at the right time, even for 5 minutes, can energize you for your day or relax you at night to sleep.
I think just giving myself 5-10 minutes to reflect and regroup before I start my day is great way to help keep my life organize. Iincorporating a morning workout routine would also help.
I like to have everything ready the night before – clothing, lunch, etc. makes me feel more prepared for the day!
Take 5 minutes to reflect on all the positive in the day and force yourself to smile.
5 minutes – play with pup …. 5 minutes – read a page or two of an academic article
I think 5 minutes of moving/exercise is real good for you.
Great advice. I take time each morning to push my thoughts aside and focus on letting my mind rest. Being refreshed physically and mentally helps me make it through the day!
meal planning saves time !
Get up when your alarm goes off instead of hitting snooze.
Make a five minute phone call to a good friend who you haven’t seen in a while and make plans to get together for lunch and catch up on each other’s lives!
Getting into a routine.
Five minutes of riding my stationary bike is something I can do.
if i can stick to 5 minutes of meditation each morning before i start my day i can begin my day fresh and focused.
Breathing exercises! Takes just a couple of minutes. close your eyes and inhale, exhale.
I could exercise more and continue to try to quit smoking.
In 5 minutes- I can deep breathe and meditate to center and calm myself. It makes a difference.
I get up and open the blinds, brush my teeth and wash my face to help wake me up!
I need to get better sleep so am now taking the Television out of the bedroom. Hoping that will help!
I think taking 5 minutes of me time can seriously change things, when I’m in the stressful situation. I’ll the baby in her playpen, or let her play with her sister, and just take a breather.
I want to read the whole Bible so 5 minutes a day would be good. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Prayer always helps me!!
Eat breakfast
Brush teeth and shower as soon as wake up
My best tip is to plan ahead the night before for the day ahead of you. It just makes things run so much smoother!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
I love the 5 Ways to Improve Your Life in the First 5 Minutes of Your Day {Giveaway} Everything you said was true. The only thing I would add would be to look at yourself in the mirror and repeat, “I can this, I am awesome:. The more you hear it the more you believe it.
You can lay out your clothing for the next day the night before.
I’ve made a conscious effort to give myself 5 minutes for a quick breakfast every morning and it has made a huge difference.
I wake up and say “Today is going to be a good day”.
Get up 5 minutes early, so I dont have to rush and can enjoy my morning!
Parking further away at the store…takes a few extra minutes and get more steps in during the day!
I believe that if I am planning on doing lots of housework that day, I get tennis shoes and socks on first thing! I feel ready to go at it with these shoes on. It makes it harder to kick off and curl up on the couch and forget about my cleaning!
My morning of 5 minutes- is a prayer of Thanks,a cup of coffee,and read while eating breakfast
Just a cup o how can do it for me! Thanks so much for the chances to win.
Get up earlier! Always makes the day better for me!
Wake up early!
I have a book for 5 minute devotionals. I think its a great way to start your morning with your head in the right place
I think focusing on positives/blessings/gratefulness in the morning does wonders for my mood!
Start your day with a good breakfast, smile and
be positive:)
For all the stay at home mamas – get dressed and take a shower each morning. You will feel more productive if you feel like a real person!
I take a few minutes every morning to read a short devotion, then a verse or two from my Bible. It gives me a positive outlook on the day : )
I get things ready the night before and I just try to stay calm and enjoy my
day.
Have a good breakfast and something healthy to drink and look out the window and enjoy nature and have a good day.
Drink a glass of water.
EAT BREAKFAST!! That is a good way to change your life in 5 minutes!!
Having a good breakfast gives you the energy to get some yard work done in the early afternoon.
Sleep more and stop eating chocolate. Thank you for the chance 🙂
Go on a walk every day.
Thanks for the contest.
if I could have a breakfast this easy I would actually start eating breakfast which would jump start my metabolism and ultimately give me more energy and probably lose a little weight !!! all because jimmydean is amazing!!!!
Before your feet hit the ground, I would say pray. Thank the Lord for another day.
you can add a little exercise in five minutes
First thing in the morning I have my coffee and I make a list of things that I need to do for the day.
Taking 5 extra minutes to tidy up the house a bit makes a huge difference!
Take your meds on time. Makes a huge difference!