Every day is a new beginning.

Often times it is how we start our morning that sets the precedent for the entire day. This starts at the very moment we wake up.

The power of those first 15 minutes of being in between wake and sleep is immense. It is here that we set ourselves up for failure or success.

Your body has not yet jumped into the hustle and bustle of the day, and has not yet cleared the calmness of sleep. It is here, in that meditative state, that we can make a power impact on our lives. While the conscious brain and subconscious work to gain their waking balance, we can utilize this state with positive growth.

I aim to make this half-awake state a time for myself to check in, smile, express gratitude and excite myself for the day to come.

Avoid looking at your phone, computer, or television within the first 30 minutes of waking up (even longer if possible). This instantly puts your brain in a reactive mode. We need time to truly wake up before being bombarded by stimulation and content that can cause stress right off the bat.

Chances are, if you start your morning off with stress, every little thing that causes the slightest disruption will cause you stress.

I aim to use the first 15-30 minutes to lay in bed and check in with myself to see how I feel in that moment. Both physically and mentally. I smile, and express gratitude for another day of living a life I am responsible for. If I notice any mental stress, I can ask why without the influence of the outside world. It is usually very effective to communicate without judgement in such a mindset. If my body feels discomfort, I can check and figure out the source of the discomfort and act accordingly to ease any pain and avoid acquiring such in the future.

Find what works for you. Maybe its meditation, maybe its writing, maybe its yoga.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to leave yourself an extra 15-30 minutes every morning to ensure that you can capitalize on this time. Go to bed earlier if you must to get enough sleep. Yes, that includes watching one less episode of the Office you've already seen six times before going to bed.

Whatever it is, once you find it, you too will recognize the power of such a serene part of your day. Take advantage, and realize the power of the twilight zone.

Interested in working with Rob to better improve sleep, stress control, and greater energy? Learn about Online 1-on-1 Holistic Lifestyle Coaching from the comfort of your home.