Wellness Tip:

Get Motivated by Looking Forward

If you’ve been reading for a while, you already know about the science-backed benefits of gratitude. You might even jot down a list of things you’re grateful for each day. But have you ever tried penning a list of things to look forward to?

Positive anticipation is a powerful motivator. It boosts dopamine and lowers stress. That’s why Panda Planner has space to write down three things you’re excited about each morning. It’s a way to rewire your brain to focus on the positives, and it helps you kick off the day on a good note.

If you can’t think of three things, go ahead and start planning more things you love into your days! “For me, little treats and enjoyable activities really keep me going,” says Lindsey Ellefson, whose routine is featured below. “To get through a day, I look for small joys and simply let myself have them; there are too many bad things in the world to justify depriving myself of small bursts of happiness.”

So, go ahead and tell us: What are you excited about today?

Routine Breakdown

Lindsey Ellefson, Features Editor at Lifehacker

A Lifehacker’s Hacks for Better Mornings

In writing about her morning routine, Lifehacker Features Editor Lindsey Ellefson hones in on two key things: nighttime prep and small rewards. She:

The Routine:

• Preps the night before, including a list of tasks for the next day and a list of things she’s excited for. “When I wake up and look at my list, I feel locked in on the serious stuff and hyped up by the fun stuff. That combination of a little anxiety and a little anticipation propels me right out of bed, no more hitting snooze.”
• She also does a wind-down routine (“which involves reading a book, playing Fortnite, and luxuriating in various lotions, hair curlers, scent diffusers, and white noise machines”) to ensure she sleeps well.
• Uses rewards systems to motivate her mornings. E.g. Plays games like Wordle while brushing her teeth, and goes to Dunkin’ for her coffee rather than making it at home. “This makes me get dressed, gives me an opportunity to run any small errands, and yields an immediate reward.”

Why it works:

• Prepping at night makes mornings easier. And, as we said above, writing down what you’re excited about helps get you in a positive mindset.
• Wind-down routines have physiological and psychological benefits—like lowering cortisol and relaxing the nervous system—that can improve sleep. 
• Rewards systems are great for staying motivated on tasks we don’t enjoy. Research shows small and regular rewards work best. 

It’s through experimentation that Lindsey has learned what works for her. “With winter coming, mornings are only going to get colder and darker, which means it’s only going to get more tempting to cut corners, stay in bed, and be less productive,” she says. “Consider your own goals and motivators, then make incremental changes to find what works.”