10 Delightful Ways to Spend an Early Morning

Unless you are an insomniac, in which case I am very sorry for you, waking up at an early hour isn't a bad thing at all. We all do it from time to time. Waking up one to two hours before the alarm clock is due to go off and simply can't go back to sleep. When this happens to you, do you stay in bed and toss aimlessly from side to side until you hopefully get back to sleep only to wake up later completely exhausted or do you get up and see those extra two hours as a small blessing?

I understand that unless you are single and living by yourself, you may need to be quiet so you don't disturb those living with you. I know that is the case in my house, but I have found that there are 10 wonderful ways that you can spend this gift of time without disturbing anyone else.

Take an early morning walk

Please only do this if you are living in a relatively safe neighborhood or can go to a relatively safe neighborhood to walk in of course. I have found that putting on a pair of sweats early in the morning to go for a nice quiet walk can help you clean up a lot of those underlying cobwebs that may just have robbed you of the sleep to begin with. Oftentimes when we wake up that early without having been sleeping for over abundant amounts of hours beforehand it is because our mind won't shut off and is gnawing around on some issue we went to bed with. Walking in silence, when everything around you is still at rest, seems to help me personally to think things through. It is as if seeing the usually cluttered landscape around me bare and refreshed, helps me to urge my mind to also refresh it self. Plus it is a wonderful health benefit as well; fresh morning air and walking can help you get your body system off to a good start.

Spend the time stretching your body and mind

Another healthy and beneficial way to spend those hours is by doing some deep stretches and meditation. If silence is important, reach for your mat and a personal MP3 Player. If you are a Lover of Yoga, this should be easy for you, but even if you are not familiar with Pilates or Yoga, you can pull some simple stretch moves off the internet or get them in some of your favorite woman magazines, health magazines etc. Deep breathing, stretching your muscles out and aligning your spine, can help you go through the day at least a little less pained. When you are done stretching, sit down and mediate for a little while. Clear your mind and just be at rest. Not an easy thing for many of us who have a problem getting our brains to stop chattering, but well worth it once you can master one of the many techniques. Again, the internet, your local library and often magazines can be a fantastic source for information. Be gentle with your-self. Nothing new, ever goes quick or is easy. Just remember that ones you have learned a new skill, you have every reason in the book to feel proud of yourself.

Catch up on some of your reading

Usually I have stacks of magazines, letters, and miscellaneous other written material that I just don't get to in the course of my normal work day. For me this is a perfect opportunity to clear some of that clutter out. I grab the build up pile of "not yet read" and deposit myself and it on the couch. Here I can put my music or story I have wanted to listen to on my MP3 Player and start digging my way through. Usually by the time I need to begin my day officially I have a good dent in it, If not completely done. Believe it or not, having already accomplished something you usually don't get to do early on, can give your day a nice big lift.

Have a Cup of coffee, tea or a glass of Juice and watch the Sun rise.

Of course that would depend on what time you get up, but to me there is nothing more awe inspiring the watching the sun rise over the horizon. Each time I feel overwhelmed by life and all the things I need to accomplish just to make ends meet, I try to catch a Sun rise. Seeing how truly insignificant we humans really are and that no matter what the Sun will come up over the horizon seems to take the worries off me for just a moment. I know we all take ourselves so serious and everything that is happening around us, it is good to realize from time to time that really we have very little to say when it comes to the big picture.

Take a nice long soak in a bubble bath and get ready for the day in peace.

I don't know about you, but time in the mornings is a luxury for me. Being able to just take your time getting ready in the morning without any hurry is a wonderful feeling. Anytime you can do anything without having to rush around you can almost feel your stress level dropping. Plus it shows on your appearance when you have had the chance to pamper your inner and outer being early in the morning. Add some refreshing scent to the water (citrus based works well), this will help you wake up and feel refreshed instead of making you sleepy again.

Indulge in one of your quieter hobbies.

Do you love to write, journal, puzzle, paint, surf the web, sort your collection etc? All those hobbies are quiet and can be done at any time of the day. Why not use this time for some enjoyment? How often can you say that you have the time to do something you enjoy? Well there you go; you have just been given a couple of hours to yourself without any demands on you. Besides, doesn't it feel good just to be able to do something fun before you have to do something you have to do?

Make a nice Breakfast for everyone.

Do you love Sunday morning family breakfasts, but don't get to have them very often because you just don't have the time to cook? Why not indulge your culinary talents and create a nice Family Breakfast in your own time. I am sure you Family won't mind waking a few moments early to Pancakes, Sausages, Fruit, and Hashbrowns etc. Starting your day off in the spirit of family togetherness, can not only brighten your day, but make everyone feel a little more loved and connected for the rest of the day.

Day Dream and make Goals

No matter if I can't afford something I really would love to have, I can still day dream about it. I have a special little Journal in which I write my Day Dreams. By writing your Wishes and Desires (Day Dreams) down you often can bring them to the attention of the Universe. There is a reason why it is said that there is power in the Word. When you speak or write you release energy into the universe making your intent known. Goals work the same way, which is why it is not just good business practice to have a Business or general Plan, but a wonderfully magical Idea. Besides, when you write down Goals you think about how to achieve them on a much deeper level then just simple dreaming. This is your private Time and for those moments in Time you are only responsible to yourself. Allow yourself to dream. What would you wish for if you could have anything you want?

Write some Letters to those you love.

When was the last time you wrote a "love letter" to those you care about deeply? When was the last time you wrote a Note to your husband / wife telling him/her how much you adore them, how important they are to you and what makes them so special to you? When was the last time you wrote a Note to your Children, telling them how much you love them, what you are the most proud about, how important they are to you? When was the last time you wrote a letter to your parents (if you know them and they are still alive) showing your appreciation of all they have done for you? Thanking them for the Lessons they have taught you in life, even if they weren't easy at the time? You get the point I am making? Sit down and let your mind rest in a feeling of love and gratitude for a while. Write, write, write! Allow your heart to feel with nothing but positive and warming thoughts and share them with those you feel them about. Besides I bet you those that you feel that way about, would love finding such a letter of love in their Lunch Box, Backpack or Coat Pocket that day.

Make love to your husband / wife

Of course you can only do this if you have a husband/wife and they are not going to get all upset if you wake them up before they have to rise. In my case I could not, my husband gets very upset if I wake him up for any reason. If you do have a spouse that doesn't mind feeling a loving wake up call, then by all means please go for it. I know that waking up to hugs, cuddles, kisses and ... can make your day look a whole lot brighter. Also remember that in the morning you are not stressed out yet, you haven't had any bad news etc. This is when your mind and body is still the easiest to be aroused. Remember how it was when you two got first together, I bet there were a lot of early morning and late night interludes. This can make you feel more like the Lover again, instead of the spouse. So take a chance on love!

I hope you enjoyed my Ideas and the next time the Rooster calls just a bit too early, you will try one or more of them out!