No More Night Owls
Not everyone is a morning person. Between those blinding rays of sun and that annoying alarm, it takes everything in us to get out of bed—let alone establish a healthy routine. We know it’s hard, but fear not! We have a few simple ways to turn that frown upside down and kickstart your day the right way.
1. Start the Night Before
A good morning doesn’t just start when the rooster crows—the best mornings are laid out the night before. Put that phone down at least an hour before bed and carve out enough time to get a good night’s rest. Remember: most adults need seven to nine hours of shut-eye.
2. Lay Out Tomorrow’s Outfit
Lay out your clothes the night before. It seems like a small task, but it saves more time than you think the next morning. It’s also a nice boost for our energy levels since we’ve already ticked one task off the list!
3. Wake Up a Little Early
We know it sounds like a nightmare, but waking up early comes with all kinds of benefits. Early risers enjoy better time management, which means more space for breakfast, exercise, and even morning stretches. Those alone give a huge boost to your mental health and also improve concentration throughout the day.
4. Don’t Hit the Snooze Button
As tempting as it is, resist the call of the snooze button! That big red button does more harm than good—it disrupts sleep patterns, can send the body into fight or flight mode, and only makes it harder to get out of bed. If you really struggle with it, leave your phone in the bathroom overnight to force yourself awake when the alarm goes off.
5. Make Your Bed
Why make the bed in the morning? Such an insignificant task surely doesn’t boast any benefits, right? Think again! That little gesture helps productivity and gives a sense of accomplishment as soon as we wake up. It also keeps your room nice and tidy, which also elevates your mood.
6. Squeeze in Some Movement
It’s hard enough getting out of bed every morning, so who has time to squeeze in exercise? Well, this is why we wake up earlier! Even a low-impact workout gets blood flowing and our brains working. You’ll feel more energetic throughout the day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
7. Make Space to Meditate
We could all do with a few minutes of relaxation—say hello to meditation, your new best friend. From breathing techniques to guided meditation, a simple ten minutes of reflection increases productivity and regulates stress levels.
8. Go For a Short Walk
A little sun goes a long way, especially in the morning. Waking up earlier allows you to indulge in a short walk. You’ll not only get in those steps in, but you’ll also have a quiet time without interruptions.
9. Drink Lots of Water
Hydration is important any time of the day, but it’s especially crucial when you first wake up. You just rolled out of bed, you haven’t had anything to drink in about eight hours, and you’re likely a little parched. All great reasons to down a full glass of water! It clears any brain fog and gets the body ready.
10. Head to the Bathroom
Don’t put off going to the bathroom. Even if you think you can hold it, a proper trip clears waste and gets rid of any discomfort. Not to mention, our bodies are essentially programmed to visit the restroom each morning, so don’t ignore your signals.
11. Get Those Stretches In
If there’s no time for walking or short exercise, try and squeeze in a few stretches. Stretching comes with an onslaught of benefits: increased mobility, lowered stress levels, and more energy await with a few simple bends.
12. Consider a Puzzle
Puzzles hardly seem like the best activity, but that bit of brain power goes a long way first thing in the morning. For example, some people like to get the juices flowing with a bit of Wordle or Sudoku. Don’t worry, you don’t need to solve the whole thing! But working the brain is a surefire way to properly wake up and stay sharp.
13. Listen to Some Music
Who doesn’t want to start the day with their favorite tunes? Make a morning playlist to indulge in some energetic music as soon as you wake up. You’ll score a nice dopamine hit and reduce stress levels while you’re at it.
14. Don’t Check Social Media
While we’re on the topic of technology, try to avoid your phone first thing in the morning. Sure, you’ll get a dopamine boost, but you’ll also easily fall into bad habits like doom scrolling or encouraging further distraction during the day. Not only that, but stressful news can wreck our moods.
15. Take a Shower
If you’re really looking for a pick-me-up, hit the shower! (Actually, the best wake-up call is a cold shower.) Not everyone likes to hose off in the morning, but it’s a good way to tackle bed head, scrub away night sweat, and prep you for the day.
16. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Of course, mornings aren’t complete without a healthy breakfast. Whether it’s fruit smoothies or a slice of avocado toast, you have hundreds of balanced options to choose from that increase energy levels and provide nutrients. Whatever you do, don’t skip this important meal!
17. Brush Your Teeth
Never forget about your teeth. A thorough morning brush scrubs away overnight bacteria, freshens breath, and protects those pearly whites from plaque. As much as we hate it, flossing is just as important, so make time for that too!
18. Indulge in Skincare
When you wake up earlier, you have more time to indulge in a good skincare routine. There’s nothing worse than ditching your cleanser, especially after a good night’s rest, so leave yourself extra time for the simple stuff—a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunblock are good places to start.
19. Grab That Cup of Joe
Where would we be without that morning cup of joe? For the best routine, save your money and make that latte at home. Time alone with your coffee machine establishes a healthy morning routine and brings those aromatic beans right to your kitchen.
20. Scribble a Little
It could be a daily to-do list. It could be ten minutes of journaling. It could even be a gratitude list. However you write, pen and paper get your creative juices flowing and start your day on the right foot.
KEEP ON READING
20 Best Tiny Apartment Exercises
20 Foods With Deceptively High Calorie Counts
20 Common Reasons You Aren’t Losing Weight
20 Common Causes Of Back Pain To Be Aware Of
