By Alyssa Lahham

Starting my morning off calm and relaxed always makes me happier throughout the rest of the day. Here are a few of my tranquil morning habits that I recommend trying. You don’t need to do everything on the list, but figure out a few that work for you, and make your day start more peacefully!

Stretch

Whether it’s yoga, Chinese Lajin, or your third grade PE stretches, stretching will help reduce body aches, increase blood flow, and increase your energy levels for the entire day according to LiveStrong.com. I prefer yoga, but I don’t always have time to go to a studio to practice. If you’re in the same situation, check out AthleticMindedTraveler.com for a few ways to practice yoga from home or on the go.

Drink a big glass of water

After 8 hours without drinking any water, you’re dehydrated in the morning, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Drinking a large glass of water helps to rehydrate you and fuel your metabolism according to ALifeOfProductivity.com. Plus, it helps wake you up and makes you feel refreshed.

Go for a walk

Or a run, if that’s your thing! Just get outside and get a breath of fresh air. Starting the day off with exercise will put you in a better mood, and it will help you get better sleep that night. Walk every morning, and you’ll establish a great cycle of calm mornings and restful nights. Plus, walking or jogging around where you live can help give you a new appreciation for its beauty.

Do something nice for someone

Give a genuine compliment. Hold a door open. Altruism is a very zenful act. According to Psychology Today, altruistic acts give you “helper’s high.” Doing nice things for other people releases endorphins and gives you a feeling of satisfaction. And as Phoebe from Friends would say, there is no selfless good deed, because you always feel better afterwards!

Read something

If you’ve gotten this far in my blog, you must enjoy reading. Reading is an effective way to calm your mind and forget about the stresses of life in the morning or at any time. Choose whatever genre and medium works for you. Maybe it’s a chapter of a mystery novel. Or perhaps it’s an article from your favorite blog (wink, wink). Read what you love, and make a habit of it.

Think of what you’re grateful for

This one is an easy one that is often forgotten. Taking a moment in the morning to think about what you are thankful for in life will improve your self esteem and mental strength for the rest of the day. If that wasn’t enough to get you thinking, a 2011 Applied Psychology study showed that being grateful also helps you sleep better at night, helping with the cycle of well rested morning zen!