Good morning
Today I want to leave you with some great and simple options to consider gifting your nervous system each morning.
I like to think of mornings like this, each morning you have an empty bucket, it is important you get that bucket started off right. It’s important the base of what is in there is going to be able to continue to support the rest of the bucket. How you start your day will leak into the rest of the bucket as you fill it each day. Lay a good foundation and watch your days improve.
Did you know, that chemically speaking, how you start your day is how your nervous system will tend to gravitate towards throughout the day? If you just go on auto pilot, how you start your day will likely continue subconsciously throughout the day.
Some examples of unhelpful habits that can set the tone of your day:
- Phone scrolling, leading to a cheap dopamine drive.
- Feet hit the floor running making our nervous system feel left behind and like it’s not ever got enough time, resources or even support.
- Overthinking and worrying about all the things in life to do, keep track of, control or manage.
- Symptom checking first thing. “How bad is the pain today, what does my head feel like today, am better or worse today?” This starts the chain of focusing on negative things vs what is going well and what is good in today.
If you start your day in a way you wish you’d not done, (this happens to anyone) no need to worry. This is changeable still. Once you become aware of it, by making deliberate choices to switch up what you’re continuing to use to fuel you, you can switch your day around.
A list to consider:
Instead of grabbing your phone first thing, leave it for half an hour at least and get some morning sunlight instead. The morning sun is essential for setting our nervous systems up on the right track for the day.
Instead of rushing into your day first thing, step outside and take a slow stroll. The purpose of this stroll is to fill your mind with sensory data that your nervous system takes as messages of safety. Walk with the purpose of finding detail. Notice colors, smells, shapes, and detail. Stop from time to time and absorb your surroundings. You have enough time. This can help your nervous system feel extra grounded and supported before beginning those tasks that seem to be waiting for you. This gentle morning movement is also a great way to get the body woken up.
Take some time to visualize how you want your day to go. Pick an emotional state that feels good to be in. Close your eyes and imagine yourself living in that emotional state. You might even briefly imagine an activity you want to do today, and you are feeling that positive emotional state while doing it. As you breathe in, imagine that state expanding in your chest, growing and becoming part of you entirely.
Do some basic stretches and positive body language. Our body language is directly connected to our nervous systems state. Feeling incapable and overwhelmed? You are likely not standing tall and taking up space. Instead, you have hunched shoulders and feel like curling up small and just saying forget it. We can help change this by adding in body language that promotes what we want. Do some stretches with your hands above your head, or your hands on your hips. Add in affirmations. “I am capable! I have what I need! God is on my side! I can do this!”
Take a moment to list what you are grateful for. Gratitude releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which are the chemicals that promote healing. You could turn your gratitude’s into a prayer of gratitude as well. Thank your creator for already giving you everything you need to win this day and be ok.
Just some things to consider in your mornings. Remember, today you have enough time, resources, support and love.
Catch ya later, I got a plane to catch to Newfoundland. I will be back the 12th of August. If you do need to contact NSR you still can. The response may just be slower than normal.
hp
