This is Part Four of a six-part series called “Overcoming Anxiety.” It derives from the article Anxiety: Part II, which introduced these topics as ways to combat anxiety. The purpose of this series is to analyze these topics on a deeper level to ensure they provide you with the most meaningful information to apply towards changing your life.

“Win the Morning, Win the Day.”

Every morning you wake up, you are faced with a question: Will I choose to have a good day today?

The recipe to a good day starts in the morning through habits that guide you toward your desired success, happiness and wellbeing. The power to manifest your entire day is within you.

Poor habits in the morning, such as rushing and being unproductive, result in low-quality days. If prolonged, they’ll lead you down an unhappy, anxiety-ridden path.

A productive morning, however, leads to a productive mind.

Studies have shown that when you change your morning routine to one that is geared towards reducing your levels of stress, it can help to decrease your chances of feeling anxious both in the morning and later in the day.

Having a morning routine will steady your mind and thoughts, giving you confidence in your emotions and helping you feel more in control. A routine focused on anxiety relief is essential to keep your anxiousness away.

If you master the ability to keep stress and nervous thoughts out of your mind upon waking up, it lowers the probability of them entering altogether since they were avoided from the start.

Create a Routine

Take a look below at the morning routine that I tend to follow:

7:30-7:35: Wake up & pray

As soon as I wake up, I say a prayer and thank God for another day. This helps express gratitude.

7:35-7:50: Drink 16 oz. of cold water & stretching/mobility

Then, I drink a glass of cold water to jolt my body into awakening and hydrate right out of bed. This leads into 10 minutes of stretching and mobility to loosen my muscles for the day and increase flexibility and range of motion.

7:50-8:00: Meditation

Meditation comes next, which lasts roughly 10 minutes. This allows me to sort out my thoughts and discard the ones that are harmful. It also ensures the day begins in a peaceful state rather than a worrisome one.

8:00-8:20: Read

Once my mind is cleared following meditation, I immediately fill it back up with positivity and knowledge. The content depends on what I’m reading at the time. Currently, I’m reading The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.

8:20-8:30: Journal

In a journal, I highlight six things I’m grateful for that morning, followed by a to-do list of everything I need to accomplish during the day. This makes gratitude an easier practice and puts life into perspective each morning. It also gives me structure and conditions my mind for what I need to get done, preventing against potential stress from cluttered thoughts.

8:30-9:00: Breakfast & Supplements

Breakfast time. For reference, the supplements I take every morning include: 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, 1,000 mg of Fish Oil, 100 mg of L-Theanine and 30 mg of CBD. These enhance overall wellness and help prevent against feelings of anxiety.

9:00: Work

The work day begins, as well as the handling of other various tasks and errands.

The timing of this routine is based on the exact time I wake up, which depends on what I have planned for the day. Once you personalize it, this template is great for setting a positive tone for the day.

Following something similar to this, while incorporating a few of your own rituals, is an effective way to banish anxiety before your day gets going. If you let it build up in the morning, it will stay with you as the day rolls on.

Therefore, create your own wake up routine. The elements of peace, positivity, knowledge, gratitude and wellness will work together to replace your anxious thoughts with calmer ones.

The Wrap Up

Implementing a good morning routine has a big impact on the rest of your day. If you fill your mornings with productivity, it will decrease anxious feelings and set you up for success.

Regardless of what you’re dealing with, the choice to have a good day and make the best of life is always an option. This choice presents itself right when you wake up.

So find a routine that’s suitable for you and execute it. It can work wonders on your mental health, provide you with more peace and clarity and allow you to flourish every day.

In conclusion, here is a quote from a Fearless Motivation podcast that speaks to the importance of productive mornings and their effect on the rest of your life:

“The most important thing to do first thing in the morning is get yourself in a powerful state. If you’re in a great mood, you will produce great results. You will have a great day. The better your attitude, the better the results you produce. The better your attitude, the better you can handle, overcome and thrive through challenges and difficulties that come your way.

So get yourself in a great mood. Do whatever it takes to get that feeling first thing in the morning. Whatever works for you – meditation, reading, gratitude, music, exercise – these are all good options that get you in state. When your mind is positive and clear, you can handle just about anything, can’t you? And when you can face challenges with a clear mind, they lose their power. They no longer halt your progress. They no longer have a strangle over your day or your life. You simply choose the best way to move forward and move on.

Most people don’t start their days like this. Most people aren’t happy. Don’t be most people. Be the minority – the minority who start their day with positive expectations. Look at yourself in the mirror and repeat to yourself: Today is going to be a great day. No matter what happens, today I will see the good and do the right thing. I will give my all today. Today I will give my best, so tomorrow will be better.”

Stay tuned for next week’s article, where you will learn about how reading books and listening to music or motivational podcasts can have a positive impact on your mental health and overall wellbeing.