Snoozed your alarm, skipped breakfast, and raced out the door again? There you are: rubbing your eyes and yawning all the way to the train. Does it take you three days to wake up in the morning? Good morning. Has anyone seen my good mood? Do you awaken feeling bright, brisk, and on the ball, or more like the walking dead? Perhaps it’s time to check your daily morning routine. You know how I feel. If people were meant to pop out of bed, we’d all sleep in toasters.

Decide what kind of flavor you wish to add to your day today. Do you prefer to stay and snuggle under your down blanket for a few more minutes? Or do you jump out of bed and get it over with? Maybe you’re just you, brimming with fatigue and crankiness. If so, try taking a few precious moments to set a positive tone for your day.

Sleep is just a time machine to breakfast. I get it. If you want to stabilize your blood sugar, make sure to eat a healthy one. Go ahead and multitask. You can eat breakfast and think about lunch at the same time. But seriously, that healthful morning meal will improve your short-term memory and help you concentrate during the day. Prep the evening before, so it’s ready to grab and go if need be.

Well, my body is up. My mind will follow sometime later today hopefully. You know people who say “Good morning” should be forced to prove it.  But if you truly wish to set the stage for a good day – clean up. Your room’s not messy. It’s just an obstacle course to keep you fit? Sorry, but it’s been proven that if you work in an uncluttered, organized workspace, you will outperform people who work in a mishmash and mess.

Did you set any specific aims for your day today? Why not? Perhaps your goals are too large or unclear. Go ahead and break them down, but make certain that they are attainable. Calm your mind to feel grounded the rest of your hectic day. Notice the scenery or sounds around you on that commute. The truckload of emails and messages can wait.

Good morning. Let the stress begin… Here’s a little trick: Do you have something you need to do today but really do not want to? Do it first and get it over with. The rest of the day will be a piece of cake.  Speaking of cake…Yeah. I like to have my cake and eat it too.  I’d also like to have your cake and eat it, too. Oh, on a diet? Eggs are fantastic for a diet. If you don’t like the taste, just add cocoa, flour, sugar, butter, and baking powder – and cook at 350 for 30 minutes.

But truly, we need to intentionally form healthy daily habits. Admit it. The very first thing you do when you wake up is check your phone. There goes your inner peace. What would be a better way to kickstart your day?

Waking up is one thing. Leaving the bed? Now, that’s the real challenge. We all need to signal our brains to release those feel-good hormones. What lifts your mood? Hitting the gym first thing, doing some gentle stretches, or just sipping your hot cuppa coffee? While you’re at it, buy yourself a decorative coffee mug. You know that coffee is jet fuel for the morning impaired. You know what they say: “Just brew it.”

I’ll bet you feel so much better after your teeth and hair are brushed; you’re all made up or you put a bit of effort into your appearance before you face the day. Put some time and energy into your personal care. It boosts confidence and gives you a “can-do” attitude.

Believe it or not, you need a sense of purpose each day. What is your why and wherefore? Leaving things undone keeps the mind rambling on all day long. Crossing items off of your “To Do” list will offer you a sense of fulfillment. What would you like to get done today? What are you needs and what are your wants?

What are birds so excited about at five a.m.? Hmmm. The way you treat your morning may very well determine if today is going to be a good or bad one. If you tune into the news first thing, you will be subjected to negative, even toxic impressions almost immediately. They begin with: “Good Morning” and proceed to tell you why it isn’t. Remember the days when “The Twilight Zone” was the scariest thing on TV, and not the nightly news? Find something that will help you mentally face the challenges of the day, please.

Look around and give thanks for the toasty bed you crawled out of and the safe home you woke up in. Relax and focus on the present moment. Splash on a scent that makes you feel firm and fearless. Now you’re ready to take on all of life’s curveballs.

Experiment with your own morning rituals and stick with it. Start your day on a stress-free note. You may not be able to control your destiny, but you can be in charge of the first hour of your day. The first thing that comes into your brain will set the mood for your entire day. I know. Some people wake up and feel like a million bucks. You wake up feeling like: “Insufficient funds.” Trust me, I get it. But please don’t ever let the things you want make you forget the things you have. Now, go ahead and breathe in the new day.

Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor, and writer with an office in Queens.  She works with individuals, couples, and families.  Appointments are available throughout the week and weekends.  She can be reached at 917-717-1775 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at facebook.com/pages/Safe-Haven-Healing.