What makes you get out of bed in the morning? Is it a job, getting the kids to school, something you’re looking forward to doing, or being useful to others? Having a reason to get out of bed is a huge motivational force to live life, and this is good for your health.
A plaque I once saw in a gift shop, amusingly described our outlook on life at different stages. “Youth looks ahead. Old age looks back. Middle age looks worried.”
Be youthful. Look optimistically ahead.
People with “youthful thinking” anticipate being busy, doing interesting things. They happily get out of bed each day. They look ahead. They’re hopeful and excited about life. They don’t have time to be depressed or sick. The good news is, that this state of mind is present at every age.
TIP:
– Be enthusiastic. Have a zest for life. Look forward to having life-adventures at every age.
– Be optimistic – hopeful, positive . Optimism, say scientists, benefits mental wellbeing.
– Contemplate what good things life might hold for you. It’s health-producing.
– Nurture a youthful “look-ahead” outlook on life.
Say no to a “midlife crisis”.
People with “middle-age” thinking often question their reasons for getting out of bed. They doubt if they’re making the most of present opportunities, worry about the ones they’ve missed and are anxious about their future. This thought-pattern fits the common perception of a ‘midlife crisis’ – a term coined in 1965 by Elliott Jaques to describe adults who come to realize the time they may have left in their life.
TIP:
– Defeat mid-life despondency. Live in the ‘here and now’. Make the most of opportunities that exist.
– Don’t ruminate, reiterate, or speculate over the what ifs, buts, or maybes.
– Keep a strong sense of purpose in life. Expect to have exciting future goals and pleasant life-experiences.
– Follow this advice. “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” – Science and Health p.261 Mary Baker Eddy.
Overcome old age
“Agedness” can be described as living in the past, recalling occasions for sadness or regret, no longer wanting a reason to get out of bed. University research shows such negativity undermines health and quality of life.
TIP:
– Find a reason to get out of bed and enjoy each day with inspiration, energy and conviction.
– Revitalize mental buoyancy and live life to its fullest.
– Re-ignite a flickering or seemingly extinguished “life-spark” by holding on to positive thoughts.
– Cease dwelling on past hurts or mistakes. Learn to forgive and forget. Move thought onward.
– Cultivate a “divine spark” that researchers say helps people live longer, healthier lives.
– Maintain a spiritual “pilot light” through religious practice, belief or attendance. Studies show this provides strong impetus for living.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Thanks you Beverly. This really struck a few chords with me this morning. I think it’s relit my pilot light!
Thanks Daryl for your comment. Good to know that your “pilot light” is now burning brightly. May it continue to do so.
“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” – Science and Health p.261 Mary Baker Eddy.
Love that quote! It is so important to keep thought uplifted.
Thanks Beverly
Thanks Kerri for your comment. Yes keeping though inspired, buoyant, optimistic and looking ahead for the good that is waiting for us, gives us a reason to get out of bed and enjoy life.
Proverbs 3:13, 17. “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.” New Living Translation.
Joy felt and expressed now gives me the energy for enjoying each moment and also learning from mistakes. Joy is a reason to bounce out of bed with new ideas. Thanks Beverly for your helpful ideas written with simplicity.
Thanks Diana for your comment. Love the idea that it’s joyfulness that gets you out of bed each day. Well done. Finding reasons to be joyful is so good for your health.
Hello Beverley. As one who “drags the chain” getting out of bed (especially on cold Winter mornings) your tips have given me a different approach to the day. With love and thanks.
Yvonne
Thanks Yvonne for your comment. Glad my tips are giving you some good reasons to get out of bed – even on cold Winter mornings. You can continue to enjoy living life to the full at every stage with inspiration, energy and conviction.
Once again Beverly you make so many things clear. It is easy as you get older to find it harder to find things which will propel you out of bed in the mornings- but always, when you discipline yourself to do so, you find that day will bring forth blessings – as Mary Baker Eddy tells us.
Thank you Susan for your comment. Yes each day is filled with opportunities to enjoy life. I like the idea of exercising dominion over ones thinking and finding that motivation to get out of bed each day with joyous anticipation.
Thanks Beverly for your inspirational words. It can be really easy to get bogged down in negative thinking. But happiness really is a choice. We have to look for the good in our days.