Good Morning and Welcome to the post-holiday hustle!
For many of us, today marks the first offical day back to work and school after the Christmas and/or New Year’s break. I wouldn’t doubt that many of you are struggling to shake off that holiday sludge and shift into work mode again. Whether you were off for a long weekend or you were lucky enough to enjoy a full two weeks, coming back to work is hard!
For us writers the struggle is the same. When you work from home it’s even harder to shift from “lazy day” to “work day” since the physical space doesn’t change. That’s why we have to get dressed and go to our office or desk or corner that we’ve designated for writing and mentally (if not physically) shut out everything else (i.e. laundry, dishes, cat litter, etc.).
Two things help me jumpstart my work flow: exercise & a power breakfast. So today–and every Monday*–I will share with you a surefire energizer to help you go from “no” to “go” in no time! Now, I know what you’re thinking. You don’t have the time nor the desire for either of these things when you’re already dragging yourself out of bed late and you have to get the kids off to school. But don’t worry! I’m talking about two Monday morning habits that will take very little time–trust me!
Now, as a disclaimer, I would still advise that you find 30-60 minutes at least three times a week to get in a good workout. Find something you enjoy: swimming, basketball, spin class, kickboxing, whatever! Your body will thank you! But, on those mornings, like today, when you’re doing good just to roll out of bed, try this:
- throw on some shorts or stay in your pjs and do 10 jumping jacks, up to 10 push-ups and 10 squats (click here to see how you can modify these exercises according to your fitness level)
- go start the coffee brewing or heat up the teapot, wake up the kids (if you have kids), then…
- repeat step 1!
- sweeten your coffee or tea and start prepping Ayesha Curry’s Greek Yogurt parfait…you may also have to shake up the kids again, then…
- repeat step 3!
- take a shower, finish prepping your power breakfast, then hurry yourself and the kids out the door
What’s great about this is you can congratulate yourself for starting off your Monday with an exercise that will boost your energy level, but won’t require an unreasonable time commitment.
If you have time, sit and enjoy your power breakfast while reading something inspirational like Proverbs 31. If not, prep that parfait in a plastic cup and take it on the road! Your body and your mind should be warmed up now and ready to face the day.
Check back every Monday for another “Monday Mayhem” energizer!
*Of course, you don’t have to reserve this routine for Mondays. Since Monday was a holiday, this was written on a Tuesday! Anyway, it works on any day when you’re having a hard time pulling it together. Let me know how you feel after trying this energizer and tell me what you think of Ayesha’s parfait, I think it’s super yummy! Or maybe you found a way to make it your own, tell me about it!
Happy Monday!
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