Get A Better Start to Your Day

Do you ever feel unmotivated to get out of bed in the morning? Do you hit snooze until it’s too late to eat breakfast and, subsequently, need to rush to get the kids to school? Then you, like many of us, are probably groggy, full of caffeine, and generally unenthusiastic about mornings. What if we told you that you could change all that? What if you could even find pleasure in your mornings?

Morning is the perfect time to start a routine that’ll carry you happily through the entire day. In fact, personalizing your mornings to give yourself the best start has the pleasant side effect of making the rest of the day feel that much less stressful. So, forget about waking up and rushing to get everyone out the door every morning. Instead, check out our tips on how to create a morning routine that will have you organized, feeling good about yourself, and happy to begin the day.

Getting up a little earlier and giving yourself extra time is the best way to carve out some you-time in the mornings, especially if you have children. However, getting up earlier isn’t realistic if you stay up late binge-watching your favorite Netflix show. Don’t worry, everyone does it, and occasionally, it’s a fun way to release some stress. But creating a bedtime routine that allows you to unwind and get a good night’s sleep can help you wake up feeling much better and less groggy in the morning.

So, do some gentle yoga, fix yourself a cup of calming tea, unplug, and spend some time winding down from the day before you head to bed. Journaling is a great tool you can use to write down your worries, so they don’t show up in your dreams. A warm bedtime bath is a lovely way to relax before hitting the hay. And, most importantly, don’t hit snooze in the morning. Even once. It will not only add stress but usually ends in you feeling more tired than if had you just rolled out of bed immediately.

Now that you’ve carved out a little time for you, how should you spend it? There are as many ways to begin a day as there are people on this planet. The only rule for your morning time is to do something you enjoy or that leaves you feeling fulfilled. Yoga, meditation, prayer, reading, and gentle forms of mind-body movement are starting points to consider. You might even take a trip to a Hancock Wellness Center.

There’s no better way to feel calm and connected to the world around you than by watching a sunrise. Even dancing can be a fun way to start the day. Doing what works for you is the most important thing. Set a timer for 30 minutes, check in with yourself and ask what your body needs today. Remember, this is your morning time, so it may look different every day, week, or month.

Another way to avoid morning stress is preparation. If making kids’ lunches in the morning leaves you anxious, pack them before bedtime so they’re ready to grab and go in the morning. Prepack backpacks, work documents and any other items you need to take with you in the morning. Split work with your partner and children so you’re equally sharing the organizational time.

Once you’ve had your private morning time, take a few minutes to check your calendar and see what’s ahead so you don’t forget any meetings, school functions, or other appointments. Then, create a list of what needs to be accomplished for the day so you can plan smartly.

Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day, as it rightly sets your metabolism. Choose something healthy and packed with nutrients to create a healthy food habit. Whether you’re a smoothie drinker or a traditionalist craving eggs and toast, avoid eating processed foods and sugar and opt for a repast with protein, vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains. Eating a healthy breakfast sets a pattern to make wiser choices for lunch, snacks, and dinner.

Our last tip? Breathe. Remember that some mornings won’t go as planned, and there’ll be days you rush to get everyone out the door. At those moments, take a breath, remember that most of the time the things we worry about turn out to be inconsequential, and move as mindfully into your day as possible. By following these tips, you can wake up with a happy start to your day. Feeling good about yourself right from the start will fuel your day with positivity.