This saying couldn’t hold more truth, especially for those involved in home care Monmouth. Caregiving is demanding and requires a great deal of patience. When you add in the challenges of daily life, it’s easy to see why it’s essential to start each day in a positive way. Caregivers in home care Monmouth should strive to be as productive, engaged, and efficient as possible in the mornings—not just for themselves, but also for the people they are caring for. Here are some easy ways to achieve just that:
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” – Lemony Snicket
Wake up to natural lighting. If it’s possible, try going to bed with your curtains half open so the morning sun will peek in as soon as it rises. The natural light will help you wake up happy, bright, and ready to face the day. There are also alarm clocks that can wake you with light instead of noise.
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready. Rushing around in the morning adds unnecessary stress. To avoid this, set your alarm clock 15-30 minutes earlier each day.
This will allow you to comfortably settle into and enjoy a morning routine that will make you feel happy, not hurried!
Wake up and smell the coffee. If you’re a coffee drinker, set the timer to automatically brew a pot right before your wake-up time. When your alarm goes off, you’ll awaken to the aroma of coffee luring you out of bed. This also saves time in your morning routine.
Read. Just 5-10 minutes of reading each morning can get you into a better frame of mind for the rest of your day. Choose a book of motivational quotes or read your favorite novel. This has been found to calm the brain which greatly impacts your well-being.
Jot it down. Writing in a journal is a great way to get rid of any disruptive thoughts. Spend 10 minutes in the morning just writing down whatever thoughts are in your head. This allows you to get things that may cause your worry or stress out onto the paper versus letting them rule your day.
Move and stretch. Stretching has many health benefits, ranging from increasing mobility and flexibility to improving posture and strength. Adding a short sunrise yoga burst, or simply stretching your body, will help set the tone for your entire day.
Take a breath of fresh air. Fresh air always helps us feel more alert and awake. Take a short walk or enjoy your cup of coffee outside on the porch or balcony before you prepare for your day.
Stay off social media. We all know that social media can have a negative impact on our emotional and mental well-being. With this in mind, stay off of it in the morning and leave catching up on your pages until later in the day.
Get physical. Taking some time to do a little physical activity before you head to work will get your blood pumping and increase the flow to your brain. Being active is essential every day.
Eat well. Have a balanced breakfast to gear up for a great day. Eat a breakfast containing lots of protein to fuel your mind and body. Rather than convenient pastries or sugary cereal, eating a protein-dense breakfast of eggs, Greek yogurt, or a protein-packed smoothie will give you the energy boost you need.
Hydrate. Instead of reaching for that morning cup of coffee, drink a glass of water first thing. It’s a nice wake-up call for your muscles and organs and helps re-hydrate your body from sleeping.
Meditate. Meditating for even a few minutes in the morning can help put you into a more positive mindset and reduce your anxiety. There are many apps available to help guide you through quick daily meditations that are great if you’re a beginner.
Get dressed. This may seem like a given, but a hurried morning routine can lead to skipping brushing your hair or teeth or walking out the door in wrinkled clothing.
This can have a great impact on your attitude for the day. Taking the time to get ready and dressed properly will make you look more professional, but most importantly will help you feel better about yourself throughout the day.
Smile! Listen to something that makes you happy. On your drive to work, play an audiobook, or jam to your favorite music. You’ll smile and feel happier.
As a caregiver, getting off to the best possible start each day is essential. In addition to helping you feel more motivated and prepared for what the day hands you, incorporating some of these steps will also support your mental well-being, and allow you to be in a better place for dealing with those entrusted to your care.
