7 ways to wake up to a more creative morning
We all know that feeling. It's another day we're not looking forward to. We'll do the same thing as we did yesterday and the day before. Work will be boring, mundane and uncreative, producing solutions to problems that we've used before.
How do we get out of this vicious cycle? How can we create new solutions? And how can we feel creative and inspired as soon as we set foot in the office? Here are seven ways you can wake up to a brand new, creative day?
1. Drink plenty of water before you go to sleep.
Often the tiredness you feel in the morning is through dehydration. Through the night, you have been sweating, losing water. It doesn't help if you have been drinking alcohol the night before. So hydrate before you sleep. And, if necessary, keep a glass of water beside the bed if you feel thirsty in the middle of the night.
2. Before you do anything else in the morning, drink water.
Not coffee. Not tea, Just water. It's free, it's pure and it's the best thing you can do for your body first thing. You could add a little lemon slice or juice if you want an extra zing.
3. Don't wear the same clothes every day.
Choose different shapes. Or colours. Try different combinations that you haven't used before. And for men, what about a brightly coloured tie to go with that blue or grey suit. Make yourself smile when you put on your clothes in the morning. They are a great mood enhancer.
4. Eat a fresh breakfast.
Nothing too heavy or stodgy. A piece of fresh fruit. A slice of toast. Yogurt with berries. A bowl of crunchy muesli. And don't eat your breakfast while watching TV. Take pleasure in your food. Enjoy the fresh sweetness of the fruit. Relish the crunch of the toast. Enjoy the smooth coldness of the milk. A good breakfast should wake up the senses as much as it fills the stomach.
5. Take a moment to yourself.
Just inhale. Slowly feeling the air enter and leave your lungs. And again. Again. Close your eyes. Listen to the world outside you. Did you hear something new? Listen to the world inside you. How do you feel? Promise yourself that you will enjoy today, whatever it brings.
6. Take a different route to work.
Don't drive the same route every day. Go a different way. Or take a bus . Or walk. Whatever you do, keep your eyes open. Did you notice something you haven't seen before? Creativity is seeing the world in a different way. Open you eyes. Be curious. Avoid the usual. Don't take the same path every day.
7. Finally, and most important, do something different.
Habit is the great enemy of creativity. Always doing things the same way and expecting a better result is a recipe for disaster. Try something different. Explore. Expand your horizons. Avoid the mundane. It doesn't mean you have to be wild and untamed. Just allow yourself to do something differently. You'll be amazed how suddenly the world looks, feels and seems brighter and more creative.
Start the day in a whole new creative way. What have you done differently? Did it make you feel more creative. I'd love to hear from you.