How to Start Your Morning off Right

By Gabi Larrea and Brett Silvers
​One of the pillars of ASDA’s Wellness initiative is Emotional Wellness. As dental students it’s very easy to get caught up in our day-to-day routines, running around from classes or patients to get through our busy weeks, but we cannot forget the importance of Emotional Wellness. It is just as important to take care of our mental health as it is to take care of our physical health. Otherwise, we cannot be fully present to those around us.
For this Wellness Wednesday post we decided to come up with 5 ways to start off your morning in a healthy mindset!

1. Compliment yourself-​ instead of going straight to your phone and scrolling through social media first thing in the morning, tell yourself something positive. If you start the day off with a happy thought about yourself you are more likely to radiate positivity to others.
2. Reflect-​ did your day yesterday go as planned? Could you make it better? What areas do you need to improve? Self awareness is the key to emotional health and reflection is a great way to get there! Try to spend a few minutes on your drive or walk to school reflecting.
3. Set goals​- take a moment to set a few goals for what you want to accomplish today. When you make a plan you are more likely to achieve these goals and feel more productive throughout the day. They don’t have to be elaborate, something as simple as “putting my dishes in the dishwasher” can set the tone for the rest of the day.
4. Think of something you are grateful for​- dental school can get pretty gloomy and it’s hard to be appreciative when there are so many stressors in your life. Being grateful for the little things can change your overall mood and put things in better perspective. I’m grateful for coffee in the morning, classmates who make me laugh, amazon, and TGIT, just to name a few.
5. Slow down-​ snoozing your alarm may seem like the best idea after a long night, but having time to yourself in the morning is very important to start your day off on the right foot. Savor your coffee, enjoy your breakfast, walk your pup a little longer, take time in the morning to do something you love.

Hopefully these tips will help you adjust your mindset and start everyday with a healthier outlook. How do you start your mornings? Leave a comment below with your personal tips! 

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