Wellness Tip:

Start Your Day With Positive Self-Talk 

We picked up this tip from Simon Salter, whose routine is featured below. He says:

“I know the brain is in a vulnerable state when it first wakes, so I make sure my first words to myself are encouraging and uplifting. It feels fantastic, and the brain takes it all in, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.”

He’s onto something—science shows that the brain is in a theta-dominant state just after waking, which means it’s more receptive to suggestion. That makes your first thoughts especially powerful. Positive self-talk in those early minutes can influence your mood, stress levels, and resilience levels.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a double board-certified psychiatrist, recommends starting the day by saying, “Today is going to be a great day,” out loud. He explains that this simple affirmation programs the subconscious mind to focus on positive experiences throughout the day. Give it a shot tomorrow—your brain is listening.

Routine Breakdown

Simon Salter, Co-founder at DIRTEA

How a Mushroom Coffee Founder Primes His Brain

Co-founder of mushroom coffee brand DIRTEA, Simon Salter, tells us he wakes between 5.30 and 6 every morning. “My window is always open, and the dawn chorus acts as my natural alarm. It’s a much gentler way to wake up,” he says.

The Routine:

• Starts the day with positive self-talk (see above!).
• Makes his bed. “I learned the value of this from military strategies—completing a simple task like making the bed gives a sense of accomplishment and sets the tone for a productive day.”
• Morning gratitude prayer. “I give thanks for waking up and seek guidance for the day ahead.”
• Hydration, stretching, and breathwork. “I stretch to activate my muscles and get my blood flowing, then move into breathwork. I do 50 breaths per round, holding after each exhale. The science behind it is amazing. The breathwork increases oxygen in the blood, expels carbon dioxide, and helps shift my body’s pH. It’s magic for mental clarity.”
• Takes a cold shower. “I’ll be honest—my mind screams, ‘Forget it,’ but I use the Mel Robbins 5-second rule. If I don’t act within five seconds, I’ve already negotiated myself out of the day. So, I dive in.”
• Coffee and journaling. “I have my DIRTEA coffee, which gives the taste and kick of regular coffee but with 80% less caffeine, plus the brain-boosting effects of lion’s mane. It’s my ritual, and I can’t live without it.” While drinking, he journals on paper. “Writing by hand helps me release mental clutter, and there’s something about pen-to-paper that works neurologically in my favor.”

Why it works:

• While studies on bed-making are scant, many people agree that it creates a sense of accomplishment and control, which can flow on to the rest of your day.
• Morning gratitude prayer combines gratitude and spiritual reflection, both associated with improved well-being, reduced stress, and enhanced mood.
• Hydration, stretching, and breathwork all activate the body’s systems. Stretching increases blood flow, reduces stiffness, and may release mood-boosting endorphins.
• Cold exposure has some science behind it. For example, it stimulates brown fat activation, which helps regulate body temperature and may improve metabolic health.
• Lion’s mane mushrooms have some surprising potential benefits, from protecting brain health to relieving anxiety. Meanwhile, handwriting activates brain regions involved in memory and emotional processing in ways typing doesn’t.

Have you tried writing in a physical journal or daily planner like Panda Planner? How do you find it compared to digital formats?