Quick Answer

Upsy Daisy Day has been celebrated annually on June 8th since 2003, a day aimed at encouraging individuals to begin each morning, from the very moment you awake, on a positive note (1). So, in honor of this day and its purpose, here we’ll be providing some tips to start your mornings with positivity, including a few insights into the benefits you could potentially enjoy when incorporating these practices and principles. 

Key Takeaways

• The Need For Upsy Daisy Day - a look at the impact of negative thoughts and the need for training our minds to look for (positivity) and be positive
  
• The Benefits Of Starting Your Day With Positivity - brain, heart, and social (including overall well being) benefits associated with positivity
  
• Upsy Daisy Day Positivity In Practice - practical ways to infuse positivity into your mornings including skipping the snooze button, hydrating, skipping the temptation to scroll, incorporating movement, daily gratitude, affirmations, and uplifting others

Do you ever let the cares of this world, worries over the future, stresses of life, or even the humdrum routine of things take over? 

If so, and if you’re like me, you don’t mean to let these things overwhelm you, but still, in the midst of life, sometimes we find ourselves on autopilot. 
And, in my experience, autopilot generally means we’ve stopped taking the time to be intentional…intentionally framing our mornings, our mindset, and our entire day. 

Of course, if you’ve ever found yourself in these shoes, then you’re well aware of the unsustainability of such a rut. 

So then, how do you get out of said rut? 

I suppose, when you really think about it, any such re-alignment boils down to evaluation, taking an honest look at where you’re at, potentially looking at why you’re there, and then taking the first of many steps forward. 

And, while the biggest fans of Upsy Daisy Day may be scratching their heads at my approach, personally, I believe this is what this day is all about. 

Wait, what’s Upsy Daisy Day? And, what does it have to do with mindset and intentionality? 

Optimist Light Roast

Truly Revolutionary Coffee. You'll Love The Taste To The Last Drop!

Shop Now

I’m glad you asked…

Upsy Daisy Day is simply a day set aside (celebrated on June 8th annually) to encourage and remind us to begin each day with positivity (1). 

Positivity or optimism is a mindset which focuses on the good, a frame of mind which sets up our day to approach situations with greater resilience and joy (2), and as you can imagine, beginning each day with such an outlook can be powerful!

And frankly, whether you feel like you’re in a ‘rut’ or not, we could all use more positivity in our lives…right? 

So, let’s spend a few moments taking a closer look at the premise behind Upsy Daisy Day in an effort to infuse some joy, happiness, gratitude, and positivity into our morning routines.

The Need For Upsy Daisy Day

Do we, as a society, really need to be reminded to begin our day on a positive note?

Is intentionality actually necessary for joy, happiness, or even stress relief in life? 

I can truly only answer those questions in two ways - personally and professionally. 

Personally, this writing assignment covering the topic of Upsy Daisy Day is hitting me in the feels…with each new browser opened containing information I find myself in desperate need of. 

Because I’m a miserable cuss who seemingly can’t muster up a smile or a bit of gratitude in the morning? No. 

But, I do find myself a tad more anxious, a little less joyful, and even a bit lacking in the sleep department these days. (raise your hand if you can relate from time to time) 

So, as I’ve read each study or article detailing the benefits of and need for such a start to each day, I’m writing this from a posture of gratitude for these reminders and nudges towards realignment, something I’m now eager to share with you.  

And professionally, well, it’s likely evident that I’m not a professionally trained scientist, psychologist, physician, etc., but thankfully the interwebs (my kids crack up when I use that term, so I thought I’d insert this whimsy into your day as well) have multiple studies chronicled for our learning and edification. 

For instance, research indicates “the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day…[and] 75% of these thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive” (3). 

Now, if most of our thoughts are on a repetitive loop, and if the majority of these thoughts are negative, I don’t think we need a professional to weigh in on how each day may play out with such an umbrella of Debbie Downer tendencies hovering over our lives. 

As for the reverse effects, you know, flipping that negative script to one saturated in positivity, we’ll get to those benefits in a moment. 

But personally speaking, when I’m seemingly stuck in what feels like a loop of stress, worry, and a lack of the daily joy I’m accustomed to, I can’t deny my dire need for positivity, specifically the need for beginning my day with such a mindset. 

And again, this is what Upsy Daisy Day is all about. 

Upsy daisy isn’t necessarily a common phrase today, so for those unacquainted with it, you might be more familiar with “rise and shine,” “up and at ‘em,” or “top of the morning,” each of which are nothing more than cheery morning exhortations to help you skip the snooze and greet the new day upon waking. 

While these phrases have seemingly become uncommon, the premise behind them helps us avoid greeting the day in that loop of negative thoughts mentioned above, which could, in some folks, lead to higher levels of anxiety, even interfering with work, relationships, daily life, as well as mental and emotional health (4). 

Battling negativity, Upsy Daisy Day encourages us all to “face the day positively and to get up ‘gloriously, gratefully and gleefully,’ each morning” (1). 

Essentially this day serves as a reminder that “every day is a gift. [And], if we remember that as we rise each morning, it will help us carry a good attitude throughout the day, whatever the day may bring us” (1). 

We’ll certainly detail some encouraging and practical ways to infuse such positivity into your mornings in a moment, but if you’re like me, this needed reminder has already served my heart and mind well. 

So then, let’s go ahead and dig a bit deeper…

The Benefits Of Starting Your Day With Positivity

Why should we give much thought to Upsy Daisy Day or its premise? 

Other than, of course, the statistics listed above regarding the research-backed propensity for the human mind to live in a loop of negative thoughts. 

Well, it turns out positivity is more than a peppy term alone, it actually has powerful implications. 

1- Positivity May Bring Benefits To Your Mind

Remember those (approximately) 60,000 thoughts most of us have daily? Well, each of those thoughts releases a chemical in your brain, and those chemicals differ depending on whether those thoughts are positive or negative (5). 

When you have positive thoughts, “when you’re feeling happy, or optimistic, cortisol decreases and the brain produces serotonin (and other happy neurotransmitters like dopamine), creating a feeling of well-being. When serotonin levels are normal, one feels happy, calmer, less anxious, more focused and more mentally stable” (5, Scaccia 2017).

Brown University Health agrees, stating that studies suggest a positive mindset or perspective may even reduce rates of depression and anxiety (6). 

In addition, the Mayo Clinic has listed research findings which suggest that positivity can actually cause changes in your thought patterns which could lead to improved problem-solving skills and creativity (7).

2- Positivity Could Protect Heart Health And Reduce Risk Of Stress-Related Conditions

Brown University Health’s review of some research led them to the following claim - “studies have shown...some of the benefits of a positive perspective may include better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of stress-related conditions” (6). 

Of course, this piqued my curiosity, and when I dug a bit deeper, I was happy to find confirmation of such potential: 

• “Positive psychological aspects of well-being, including positive emotions…are increasingly considered to have protective roles for cardiovascular disease and longevity” (8).
• An examination of these claims and similar findings led researchers to conclude, “accumulating evidence from large-scale studies have demonstrated that positive well-being is protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, incident CVD, secondary cardiovascular events, and mortality” (8). 

Do these findings mean that a positive start to your day will ensure you never have an adverse cardiovascular event? 

Not necessarily. 

So, what does it mean? 

Within the bounds of specific studies, findings were promising regarding the connection between positivity and heart health. 

Therefore, as you evaluate your health, your life, and even your day-to-day thoughts and actions, it could prove beneficial for you to consider these things when seeking to support the health of your heart.

3- Positivity May Benefit Your Social Life And Overall Well Being

Could starting your day on a positive note improve your social life? 

Maybe! 

Could an improved social life actually impact your health? 

Potentially, yes!

“From psychological theories to recent research, there is significant evidence that social support and feeling connected can help people maintain a healthy body mass index, control blood sugars, improve cancer survival, decrease cardiovascular mortality, decrease depressive symptoms, mitigate PTSD symptoms, and improve overall mental health” (9). 

Or, if you prefer less “national health study” jargon, I’ve simply always been told these two things: 

First, people need people. 

And second, the company you keep can impact choices across all areas of your life (including wellness). 

How does this relate to positivity? 

Happiness is contagious. And, the Framingham Heart Study which measured happiness amongst thousands of people over the span of decades found that the people you’re around day in and day out could actually make you happier (7).

When you begin your day with positivity, this mindset sets the stage for you to attract other positive minded people into your circle. 

My grandma always said, “like begets like.” And, while she was primarily teaching me this principle from a negative aspect - you hang around negative people and you may become negative yourself - this is also true in the opposite way, where positivity attracts positivity. 

In fact, some studies suggest we’re hard-wired with a desire for “like-minded others” (10). 

So, when you begin your day with positivity, you have the potential to infuse such a perspective into each of your choices throughout the day, affecting not only the decisions you make regarding your physical health, but your social health as well, where here you have the power to attract friends, colleagues, and even romantic interests with a similar positive outlook and personality.

The Upsy Daisy Day Premise - Positivity In Practice

Science is great and all, but unless we know how to put positivity into practice, these findings and the implications they could have regarding how you support your mindset and wellbeing don’t have much meaning. 

So then, what does Upsy Daisy Day look like, in practice? 

On June 8th, you may wish to celebrate this day, honoring the need and desire for more positivity in this world by encouraging others with kind sentiments, donating to worthy causes in an effort to brighten someone else’s day, or by touching base with those you haven’t reached out to in a while (1), but truly infusing positivity into your mornings as a way of life involves a bit more. 

Seek to begin your day on a positive note by incorporating the following regularly: 

Skip The Snooze

I get it. Some folks simply aren’t morning people (it’s me, I’m some folks). 

But, that temptation to hit the snooze button truly doesn’t serve you. 

I mean, pushing back go-time generally results in a morning rush, and when you’re in a rush, it’s typically more difficult to think about your day, your mind, your body, etc. with intention and/or positivity. 

Will this serve me today? 

What am I grateful for? 

These thoughts can prove difficult when your morning to-do list is seemingly amplified due to a tight schedule made tighter by a few snooze cycles. 

So, plan your morning, and stick to your plan. 

Go to bed earlier in the evening, if needed, but stick to your plan and skip the snooze. 
You’ll not only be happy you honored your intentions, but you’ll also have adequate time to infuse positivity into those fresh, morning hours (11).

Don’t Skip The Sip

It’s hard to think clearly when your body is dehydrated (12). 

So, in order to properly start your day with positive thoughts (mindset), it’s recommended that you reach for a glass of water, even before your daily cup of joe, thus giving your body and mind a chance to feel good and think clearly (13). 

Skip The Phone

Raise your hand if you use your phone as an alarm clock. 

Now, raise your hand if this practice sometimes tempts you to check social media, emails, weather, etc. first thing upon waking. 

Okay, now that I’ve put both hands down, I can resume typing. 

This is something I’m working on, so I can tell you from experience, this habit is hard to break, yet clearly evident (to me) that it can negatively impact your morning. 
Just a quick glance on social media or the internet can expose your mind to headlines or heartbreaks that simply do not serve your mind or body well. 

How can you ensure that you consistently begin your day on a positive note when you leave this mindset up to whatever pops up in your feed or inbox first thing in the morning? 

“Your brain is especially impressionable the first hour after waking…if you immediately pick up your phone and scroll through social media or emails, you overload your brain with information, stressors, and dopamine spikes. This trains your brain to seek external distractions, decreasing focus and increasing stress throughout the day” (14).

Serve Your Body Through Stretching/Movement

Instead of reaching for your phone, plan to do a few reaching stretches instead. 

Okay, it doesn’t have to be toe-reaches, etc. but movement first thing in the morning has the potential to increase positivity (14). 

Movement is a natural mood-booster and it could reduce the release of stress hormones like cortisol as well (14). 

Incorporating breathwork with gentle morning movement is commonly recommended (13), and I can personally attest that breathwork has made a big difference in helping me begin each day in a more calm frame of mind. 

With this calm, I’m then free to think about my day more clearly, infusing my thoughts with not only healthy intentions, but positivity.

“Gloriously, Gratefully, Gleefully”

Using the phrasing from the National Day Calendar, Upsy Daisy Day reminds us of the fact that each day is a gift, something we should be grateful for. 

And as such, the practice of daily gratitude is a highly effective method for infusing positivity into your morning/day (15). 

Just 15 minutes a day of thinking on, pondering, or listing those things which you’re grateful for in your life (big and small), for as little as 6 weeks has the potential to “promote a lasting change in perspective” (16). 

Gratitude doesn’t have to mean you’re listing outlandish events. 

In fact, I find the simplest things bring such immense joy - such as the pair of goldenfinches and bumblebees I was blessed to see this morning, perfectly perched on some hearty wild milk thistle in the field across from the Planet Fitness where I spend some time each morning. 

When we slow down and list these gifts, we tend to see more gifts we’re blessed with each day, and the positive mindset which flows from such gratitude can only grow over time.

Uplift And Inspire Yourself And Others

As you progress throughout your morning, even beyond your immediate waking routine, seek to encourage and uplift others. 

But, before you do that, also seek to encourage yourself. 

From affirmations to uplifting phrases or videos, you have the means to train your brain to be optimistic and see positivity throughout your life as you incorporate affirmations consistently (17).

FAQ

1- How can I stop checking my phone first thing in the morning?

Incorporate a concrete plan, such as leaving your phone in another part of the room, forcing you to get up to turn off your alarm. 

2- Do I have to keep a journal to practice daily gratitude?

Some recommend doing this, but you certainly don’t have to. You can vocally and mentally appreciate these items through this practice just as effectively (18).

3- What are some examples of affirmations I can recite each morning?

I am supporting my body, fostering health, strength, and positivity.

I am enough, and I have everything I need to make this a great day. 

I am happy. 

I am content. 

I can make good decisions. 

I am filled with gratitude for the gift of this day.

Disclaimer: Coffee contains caffeine and you should consult with a health care professional with any concerns you might have on the effects of coffee on your health and well being. Additionally, the way coffee is grown, low acid coffee, decaf coffee, as well as different roast types (light, medium, dark, etc.) can alter caffeine levels. If you have questions about the caffeine levels or pH levels of our coffee, please reach out to our support team for clarification. If you have any concerns with how our coffee, or any product will affect you or your health, consult with a health professional directly.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.