Bonjour, Paris! I’m definitely a francophile. I captured this view (pictured on Instagram @willtolivewell) during my first trip to Paris.
Typically, I’m guilty of rushing through the morning rather than “getting off to a good start.” I’m working on changing that (and views like this one really help). Apparently, during those first few minutes in the morning, you can come up with really great ideas and set the tone for the rest of your day.
Did you know? Your brain operates in one of four states depending on your level of activity. In the morning, your brain is in the theta state.
- Beta (most active) – Ex. You are in a job interview
- Alpha (less active) – Ex. You just wrapped up a big task and you are relaxing
- Theta (even less active) – Ex. You are just waking up
- Delta (least active) – Ex. You are in a deep sleep
You are also in the theta state when you are doing “mindless” tasks, such as showering, shaving, brushing your hair, and maybe even driving home. The thoughts and ideas that come to mind in the theta state are “free flow…without censorship or guilt.” Cue the epiphanies!
So, if you want to make the most of your mornings (and your brain in theta state), try putting some of these things into practice during that time:
- Silence (maybe throw in a little meditation if you’re into that)
- Affirmations
- Visualizations
- Exercise
- Reading
- Scribing (AKA writing or journaling)
About the Photo: My friends and I booked an amazing two-story apartment with this view in Le Marais through Airbnb. You can search for the place on Airbnb, or check out their page on Instagram @hometownexperience and book at www.hometown-experience.com
Sources:
- Article – Fast Company “How To Hack Your Brain For Creative Ideas Before You Even Get Out Of Bed” by Kate Rodriguez
- Article – Scientific American “What is the function of the various brainwaves?”
- Book – The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- Podcast – You Turn Podcast w/ Ashley Stahl [MINDSET] Ep. 23: How To Be Your Own Hypnotist w/Stephanie Kwong
