meditate Archives -

Motivation in the morning is a hard task to accomplish especially if it’s a Monday morning. We have all been there! You wake up already dreading the day and you aren’t even aware of the challenges that are waiting for you. But did you know that what you do in the morning sets your tone for the rest of your day? When you are motivated in the morning you are productive the rest of the day. Keep your energy levels high!

I know that our morning routines are already time consuming from getting our hair right and our makeup on point to that cute outfit that will have us turning heads, but these next 6 steps are just as important to have that positive vibe from the beginning of the day to the end. It is said that breakfast is a meal that should not be skipped, well I say these steps are like the breakfast to your soul. Be ready to tackle the day and enjoy every moment of it.

Meditate/ Pray
Everyone has their own way of soothing themselves and finding that inner peace that we need for the day. Some may meditate and others will pray. Whether you need encouragement or peace, this is a good way to begin your day to really get your mind focused on the good and humbled enough to meet the days’ challenges with integrity and wholeness.

Affirmations in the mirror
Affirmations are positive statements that help overcome self sabotaging and negative thoughts, which we all have. And the best time to do that, if not all day, is in the morning right before entering the daily hustle and bustle of the world. Look at yourself in the mirror and talk yourself up. We all need daily reminders that we are amazing and who else will give us nonstop compliments if it’s not us?!
Try these few affirmations while looking yourself in the eye and truly believing it:
“I am filled with joy and happiness today.” ” I am strong and confident.” “No need to compare Myself to others, I am perfect in my own way.” “I am unstoppable.” “I am free from anything that is not positive today.” “I have everything I need to succeed.” “I am valuable and worthy.”

Take a look at your long and short term goals
Every ambitious woman has her list of short and long term goals. If you have your list, frame it and keep it next to your mirror. Take a look at it every morning after getting dressed, to remind yourself of what you need to do to get to where you want to be. If you do not have your list yet, then go make it! Visualizing your future will help you stay focused in accomplishing your dream.

Dance
Dancing helps reduce stress and increases levels of the “feel good” hormone called serotonin. Feeling good right before leaving the house for a long day at work is what everybody needs to get through the day. Put some of your favorite jams on and dance your heart out like you’re performing for the VMAs!

Spray on your favorite perfume
Just like a cute dress, a good perfume can boost your confidence. Women’s faces are rated as more attractive in the presence of a pleasant smell, a study showed. Attraction is not only about good looks, but the way you smell can really catch the eye.

Wear that smile with Pride
Put that gorgeous smile on your sweet face and brighten up everyone’s day. A smile truly goes a long way. Just by smiling at a stranger that you pass will cause them to smile in return thus making them forget their troubles for that instant. By the way, a study found that the stronger the smile, the more attractive a face looked, so go on, Girl, grin like there is no tomorrow and makes someone’s day!

Your day is pretty much formed by how you spend your first hour. Check your thoughts, attitude, and heart. Either you run the day or the day will run you. You choose. Always remember to keep your head up, not your nose up, and wear that crown like the true queen that you are. Go rock the hell out of your days!

I’m going to sound pretty cliché about this, but getting your 8 hours of Z’s really are impactful in your life. I know many of us have always been told to get a good nights rest the night before an important interview or an exam, and the reasons behind that still stand. However, there are plenty more reasons behind the theory of needing 8 hours of sleep.

We know that inadequate sleep makes us cranky the next morning, causes headaches, makes it difficult for us to reach our weight goal, has us looking a bit rough around the eyes and pretty much the entire face, and leaves us feeling fatigued and dragging our behind. Except, did you know that it also….. Well, just keep reading to find out. Here are some even greater reasons as to why your body longs for that 8 hour of shut eye every night.

1. You are more susceptible to catching a virus/cold
Lack of sleep negatively affects your immune system making it more likely that you will get sick if you are exposed to anyone with a cold or virus. Recovery also depends heavily on the amount of time you sleep and rest. Give your body what it’s asking for during this crucial time.

2. Increased risk of stroke
Sleep deprivation has been linked to strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular disorders that may result in early death. Sleeping less than 6 hours a night can result in a 48% greater chance of dying from heart disease and 15% chance dying from a stroke.

3. Triggers seizures
Seizures are extremely sensitive to sleep patterns. During normal sleep-wake cycles, the brains electrical activity changes. The changes of a persons brain who does not get adequate amounts of sleep can be related to their seizures. Sleep deprivation is the 2nd most common trigger of seizures.

4. Acne problems
Did you know that lack of sleep is one of three main acne triggers? Hormones being disrupted from not sleeping throws off your chemical balance forming those nasty pimples that annoy you.

5. Infertility
If you and your spouse have been trying to begin a family, this is a must know- Sleep disorders increase the risk of infertility for both sexes. According to the CDC, lack of sleep affects the hormones related to fertility. Growing your family begins with sleep.

6. Erectile dysfunction
Testosterone and oxygen are important for healthy erections and lack of sleep gets in the way of just that. Sleeping for less than 8 hours a night changes the hormonal balance in the blood stream and circulation. Any disruption of that may keep blood from travelling to the reproductive organs, causing erectile dysfunction.

7. Hair loss
Lack of sleep can decrease melatonin levels in your body. While melatonin helps regulate your sleep, it also assists in hair growth. Once your melatonin levels are off due to your sleep, negative consequences take on the body, more-so, your hair. Lack of sleep contributes to hair loss and hair thinning.

8. Yeast infections
As I mentioned before, losing sleep disrupts your hormonal balances in many ways. When a change in normal vaginal flora occurs, a yeast infection is likely to develop leaving you feeling uncomfortable, self- conscious, and irritated.

9. Wound healing
Getting enough sleep allows your cuts and deep wounds to heal more promptly. In fact, getting the right amount of sleep is more important than nutrition in speeding wound healing.

Sleep plays an important role in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Create a bedtime routine that helps your body know that its time for bed. Set your alarm and put down your phone for the night an hour before laying down. Take a relaxing shower and let the worries of your day drain with the water. Dim your lights down. Set the temperature the way your body needs it for sleeping. Meditate. Breathe in and out in a calming manner and drift away.