Summary

The article suggests that smiling first thing in the morning can significantly improve one's daily outlook and overall happiness.

Abstract

The article titled "Here’s the First Thing You Should Do as You Wake Up in the Morning" emphasizes the transformative power of starting the day with a smile. The author, Noah Nelson, shares his personal experience of how this simple act of smiling upon waking up has led to a more positive and grateful approach to each day. He argues that smiling sets a positive tone for the day, making it easier to handle challenges with a better mindset. Nelson, a journalism student with a focus on gratitude and appreciation, encourages readers to try this practice, suggesting that it can be a life-changing habit that promotes happiness and satisfaction.

Opinions

The author believes that smiling when you first wake up is a game-changer for starting the day positively.
Nelson highlights the importance of gratitude and appreciation for one's current life circumstances rather than focusing on desires for more.
He posits that smiling in the morning contributes to sustained happiness throughout the day, even when faced with various issues.
The author suggests that the act of smiling upon waking up is an easy yet impactful practice that can lead to a higher quality of life.
Nelson encourages readers to experiment with this new morning routine, expressing confidence that they too will experience beneficial changes in their lives.

Here’s the First Thing You Should Do as You Wake Up in the Morning

It will change your life forever. It has for me.

Your alarm clock goes off. The buzzing noise rings in your head.

You fluttery your eyes open. You rub them. You open them.

You may roll over for five more minutes. You may wake up on the wrong side of the bed. But here’s something you probably don’t do when you wake up:

Smile.

Do you ever smile within the first minute of your day? Probably not. Maybe you’re grateful for the day or maybe not, but do you ever smile about it?

No?

You should. It may just change your life. Here’s how it has for me:

Add Smiling to Your To-Do List

I’m always been a generically happy person. I don’t get pissed off unless I really have to. Sure, I get upset sometimes, but we all do.

However, I’ve learned that smiling for much of your day will help you in the long run. But smiling when you first wake up is a game changer.

Anymore, I’ve been learning how to be more grateful and appreciative for everything I have in life. Instead of wanting more, I’m happy with everything I have.

But then I started to smile when I first woke up in the morning. Before I do anything else, I smile, then wake up out of bed.

I’m grateful for waking up and the day that lies ahead. Who knows what will come of it, but I know I will face it head on.

Smiling as I wake up opens more doors for my life. I’m mad about being late or missing breakfast, or anything else. I smile as I wake up because it’s one of the greatest moments of my day.

It’s just me and my day ahead. I’m collecting my thoughts and before I prepare for the day ahead, I just smile. It’s one of the easiest things to do, and it has changed my life.

Normally nowadays, because I smile in the morning when I first wake up, I’m happy the rest of the day. Sure, issues arise, but most of the time, I forget about it because I’ve already had my highest point of my day: smiling.

Closing Thoughts

Continue on with your morning routine whatever it may be. But before you do anything, smile, then wake up.

It will change your life forever. It sure has for me. And I know it will for you too.

You just have to give it a test run. It’s trying something new. And that’s sure something to smile about.

Noah Nelson is a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in journalism with minors in political science and history. He serves as a senior columnist for The Daily Illini, a writer on Medium and the host of his blog called Nothing But Noah. His books “Life: A Collection of Short Stories” and “Dana and Me: A Memoir” are both available now on Amazon. Like what you read? You can write for Medium too!