7 Ways to Set Up Your Day with Positivity

“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.” ~Maya Angelou

MORNING. It comes around every day.

Whether you are awakened by a series of beeps from your alarm clock or by the internal alarm that automatically pops your eyes open at the same time, your new day begins and holds the potential to be the best day of your life.

In those first few moments when your eyes flutter open and allow the morning light to enter in, you have a golden opportunity to determine how this day will go.

You can direct the trajectory of your day in any direction you choose. What will it be: Something that you just have to get through, or a brand new gift that you get to receive and design?

How can you decide to make it a great day?

Each brand new day holds the potential to be the BEST DAY EVER. It contains the possibility of magic and miracles.

So many people are stuck in such a rut of unhappiness and unfulfillment that they allow negativity to start their day on the wrong foot by habit. When they wake up their mind immediately goes to the meetings, the traffic, the crying kids, and the grumpy people they will have to endure in the next 12-16 hours. These negative thoughts frame their entire day into one of drudgery and pessimism.

It’s like the middle act of the movie Groundhog Day. Don’t let yourself get stuck there!

The great news here is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Each one of us has the power to make a positive impact on our day before we even walk out the door.

You can visualize a great day and make it happen. Set your intention for the day and plan to make it an amazing one.
You get more of what you see and acknowledge, so start seeing positivity in your day before it happens.
You have some control. If you want to have a good day you can decide to have one on purpose. Every single day.

Let’s look at seven simple ways you can mentally and physically frame this new day into a positive experience.

Express Gratitude
A simple way to start your day with positivity is to express gratitude for the good things in your life while your day is still a blank slate. Before you get out of bed, or maybe while you’re brushing your teeth, think of 3 things you are grateful for. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. What are you thankful for?
Three people you love.
Three opportunities you have been given.
Three abilities you possess.
Three things that bring you joy.
Thank God or the Universe for the gifts you have already been given, or plan to receive today.
If you’re just starting out, think of simple things that you may typically take for granted, like the breath in your lungs, the ability to walk, or the gift of sight. Taking the time to express gratitude for them can remind you of what gifts they truly are.
While this strategy may be simple, it is the foundation for cultivating a positive mindset and bringing more positivity into your life. Being grateful for what you already have puts you in the direct path of receiving more things to be grateful for.
You get more of what you see and acknowledge, so start seeing a great day before it even happens. You can set yourself up for the best day ever.
Just Add Water
The human body is made of about 60-80% water, so it’s no coincidence that H2O is a healing elixir to our body, our skin and our soul.
By the time we wake up in the morning, we have been depriving our systems of water for at least 7-12 hours, and signs of dehydration may be starting to set in. Symptoms like fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, confusion and light-headedness. Do you experience any of those in the mornings?
No worries, you have the opportunity to clear up each of those problems and wake up your brain by drinking a glass of water before anything else goes into your body.
Yep, even before coffee.
Drinking water first thing in the morning will start the process of rehydration and set you up to feel great in no time.
Water plays a key role in the functions of your inner health: from delivering nutrients to your cells and protecting your joints and organs to maintaining your body’s core temperature.
Water on the outside of your body is a soothing and energizing tonic as well. Wash your face with cool water, or jump in the shower to let it revitalize your whole body. Feel the water fill every pore and follicle while it rejuvenates your skin and rinses away stress.
Water, inside and out, can help start your day with positive health, vitality and energy.
Listen to Music
Do you wake up with stressful thoughts or shadows of dreams that won’t let go? Does silence amplify your negative cycle of thoughts?
An easy way to overcome the empty sound of silence is to play upbeat music. Set your Spotify to your favorite station and allow it to lift you up and put you in a positive frame of mind.
What’s your favorite genre? Classical, pop, indie or rap? Any music will do, as long as you receive it as uplifting and encouraging it can elevate your mood and help you set your attitude for the day.
Looking for something new? Ask Alexa or Google can help guide you to a new playlist that takes you out of your music norm.
Play your music from your phone and tuck it into your back pocket and take it with you as you go about your routine. Or pop in your earbuds and keep it close and personal. Listen to the lyrics for meaning and inspiration. Sing along and dance as you prep for the day. Include your family in your morning boost.
Let the music elevate your spirit and prepare you for the beautiful day ahead with a positive mindset.
Stretch it Out
Moving your body and breathing with intention in the morning is critical for preparing yourself for the day ahead.
Start by listening to your body and taking cues from it to determine what you need. Some days a few specific stretches will be enough to work out the kinks, and sometimes it will require more than that.
Wake up early and take advantage of this quiet time to get in a yoga or pilates routine. Or take a walk through the neighborhood while everything is still and quiet.
As we age and estrogen decreases, we can find that different muscles and joints ache in the mornings, and sometimes those aches hang around all day. Talk to a chiropractor, physical therapist or yoga instructor about which areas of your body require gentle coaxing to start the day, and what stretches are best for you. There are multiple apps, YouTube channels and stretching programs that can benefit you, as well.
A favorite of mine is Morning Yoga Flow with Adrienne. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/LqXZ628YNj4?si=y5wGj6AAo22YCtJM
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Anything you can do in the morning to move your body is better than nothing. I know how good I feel when I do it, and I can feel the difference when I don’t.
Stretching out your muscles, ligaments and joints in the morning can send a positive message to your heart, mind and body that you are physically and mentally ready for a great day.
Greet Yourself
Most days you are the first face you see. When you look in the mirror in the morning you have a golden opportunity to give yourself a positive greeting that starts your day off right and brings a smile to your face.
Before you grab your toothbrush, look yourself in the eye, give a radiant smile and say “Good morning, Beautiful. Today is going to be a great day. You’ve got this!”
Who wouldn’t want to start the day with that affirming message from the one who loves them the most?
Have you ever high-fived yourself? Motivational speaker Mel Robbins wrote a whole New York Times bestselling book about the power of giving yourself a high-5 in the mirror every morning. It’s called The High 5 Habit and it is the #1 audiobook in the world. That should tell you that she’s on to something.
You can check it out here: https://a.co /d/013vmLjl
When someone gives you a high-5 with a positive affirmation, the chemical serotonin is released in your brain, and as it washes over your mind it gives you a sense of happiness and confidence. This simple act has changed people’s lives. It can change yours, too.
You don’t have to believe it on day one, just try it anyway. You might even laugh at yourself. More serotonin!
Eventually, it will feel natural to treat yourself with such compassion and optimism and you will look forward to that special greeting from your best friend to start your morning on a positive note and set you up for a great day.
Make Your Bed
Make your bed as soon as you get up and boom! You have already achieved your first accomplishment of the day. That puts you on the path for another one, and the cycle is born.
With that one little act, you are automatically set into an achievement mode and the rest of your day will follow accordingly.
Now imagine walking into your bedroom at the end of the day. Would you rather walk into a tangled mess of sheets and blankets, calling out to be tamed and straightened, or a welcoming sanctuary of peace and order?
It only takes a couple of minutes, but the payoff is huge.
No one articulates this concept better than Navy Admiral William H. McRaven. In his commencement address to the University of Texas at Austin’s Class of 2014, he details how this simple step sets your day up for success, kicks off a series of accomplishments, and can ultimately help you change the world.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth the watch. Click here to watch: 'Make Your Bed' Commencement Address Speech - Admiral McRaven
Making your bed in the morning will start a chain of accomplishments that can lead to feelings of success and productivity, and yes, can even change the world.
Set Yourself Up the Night Before
Have you ever gotten halfway to work and suddenly realized that you forgot to grab your lunch, or that you were wearing mismatched shoes? Little things like that can cause unnecessary stress and frustration before your day has even truly begun.
Fortunately, this is 100% avoidable! (Well, at least 95% avoidable.)
Before going to bed at night, set out everything you will need for the next morning. Place all of the supplies where they will be waiting for you bright and early, and you will eliminate a frantic morning scramble or the chance to forget something important.
By avoiding the need to make big decisions early in the morning, you allow yourself to ease into the day in a relaxed frame of mind.
This one was a game-changer for me. I’ve learned to quickly set myself up for an easy morning with just a few routine steps.
Try these simple set-ups before you go to bed:
- Place the coffee cups next to the Keurig and make sure the water reservoir is full.
- Prep your lunch, and place it right in the front of the fridge for an easy grab.
- Set your clean water bottle next to the ice maker/water.
- Place your purse or tote bag right by the door, ready to go.

If there is something out of the ordinary you need to remember before you walk out the door, don’t leave it to the whims of your morning memory. Use Post-it notes and

phone alarms to remind you of the small details that you might forget, like “start the dishwasher”, or “leave the side door unlocked for the furnace guy.”

It only takes a few seconds to set up these handy little reminders, and the return on your time, effort, and peace of mind is immeasurable.

These little preps you can make the night before can set up a smooth flow for your morning and get you out the door with confidence and a smile on your face!