Stress Less Quick Tip #8: Set Your Mood and Stress Level at the Most Advantageous Time of Day

If you ever wondered what the most formative time of day is, allow me to put the mystery to rest. Establishing a positive mood and environment during this specific time influences your whole day.


A Fact with Wow Factor
During the first 15 to 20 minutes after waking, your brain shifts from theta to alpha brain waves. This transition enables a state of heightened suggestibility. In other words, it opens a window of opportunity to set your attitude for the rest of your day. [Source]


Stress Less Tip
The first things you see, hear, and smell in the morning carry significant weight. What room do you enter after waking? Most of us would say the bathroom or the kitchen. Whatever the room, does it usually look chaotic or clean in the morning? A cluttered space triggers an automatic stress response.

Since your environment sets the tone for the day, use it to your advantage!


Dive Deeper
A handful of mindset gurus swear by strict morning routines as their secret to success. Before trying to imitate someone else's schedule, investigate your unique needs first. Your ultimate morning ritual depends as much on your genetics as your time and interests. While your morning DOES influence the rest of your day, it should serve YOU.

Your natural, biological rhythm shapes sleeping and waking tendencies. Take advantage of the same cycles to set yourself up for a great day. Plan your morning routine based on your waking energy level. Which list best describes your typical morning?​

If you start the day with a low energy level, an ideal morning will include ways to boost your mood and alertness. Coffee alone doesn't make a solid plan.

If you wake up bursting with energy and ideas, relaxation will help harness your focus. Consider yourself in the minority, though. According to Dr. Breus in The Power of When, only about 15% of the population enjoys the status of an eager early riser.
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Subscribe to the Stress Less Weekly email to download a PDF copy of the "Master Your Morning Routine Checklist" for free. It lays out several options catered to your waking energy level. Build an ideal start to your day, your way.

Quick-Win Action
Ensure a great morning by starting the night before. Set an alert on your phone each evening to tidy up the space in which you'll begin the next day. You won't need the reminder after a while; it will turn into a nightly ritual. If the space needs a deep clean, spend no more than 15 minutes doing ONE thing each evening until you finish the job.

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