Some people are naturally morning people. They have a routine, they’re up and chirping when their alarm goes off, and they do some stretches before they get out of bed.
That is not me.
Same? Same.
I always feel like if my morning starts off crabby, it takes me a while to recover. It’s like I’ve already decided that the rest of the day is going to stink, too! Having a routine and productive habits can help your morning be less stressful and go smoother. You would be surprised at what an extra ten minutes can do.
These five habits will help you get organized, create a morning routine that works for YOU, and start your day off on the right foot. Try implementing one at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed!
Don’t Touch Your Phone
Do your best to turn off your alarm and leave your phone on your bedside until you’re getting ready or leaving for the day. Laying there and scrolling through emails, checking Instagram, etc., can make you lose track of time so quickly. Just about everything out there can wait, and will be just as interesting for you to read later when you have the time. I find that leaving my phone where it is allows me to spend quality time with my hubby in the mornings and talk as we get ready.
Meal Prep
Learning how to meal prep efficiently is a life saver, but it can be overwhelming to try to meal plan your entire week. Breakfast is a great place to start! Having a wholesome, nutrient filled breakfast ready to go sets your day off on the right foot. You can prep veggie scrambles, an omeletatta, oatmeal, protein waffles, or assemble the ingredients for smoothies. Usually my breakfasts during the week include protein shakes, veggie scrambles, omeletattas, oatmeal, and protein waffles.
It also helps to assemble your lunch the night before and throw it in your lunchbox in the fridge. Try to make it a habit to put your dinner leftovers straight into Tupperware for the next day’s lunch. This way, your breakfast is pre-made (or close to it), and your lunch is ready to go. 10 minutes (or more!) saved.
Set Out Your Clothes
You would be surprised how setting out your clothes the night before will help your morning go smoother. You can go as far as to pick out jewelry and shoes, too. If you’re planning on going for a walk or working out during lunch, go ahead and throw your workout shoes and clothes into your bag the night before.
I always set out my gym clothes the night before so when that 4:55 a.m. alarm goes off, I’m not walking around half asleep with a flashlight trying to find my shoes. (Sound familiar?)
Set a Bedtime
This one is hardest for most people! Even on weekends, try your best to wake up and go to sleep around the same time. I’ve learned my body does best on about seven hours of sleep, so I try my very best to go to bed at the right time to get that amount of sleep. It’s tempting to lay in bed and scroll through Instagram, and then you look at the clock and 40 minutes have magically passed. Setting a bedtime will get you in a good routine, and won’t leave you waking up the next morning already knowing that you didn’t get enough sleep.
Not getting enough sleep can actually lead to weight gain and cognitive function impairment (you can’t think clearly). No thank you!
Have a Routine
Most of your mornings may look exactly the same- and that’s okay! I wake up and walk and feed Sadie while Andrew showers, and then I make my breakfast and get ready for the day. Having a morning routine means you’re less likely to forget something. An important part of my morning routine is reading from the First 5 app while I eat breakfast. They’re short morning devotionals that include the Word, practical application, and a short prayer. Spending time with God at the beginning of my day keeps me grounded and I find myself more likely to turn to Him during stressful times of the day. Whether it’s prayer time, meditation, stretching, or a morning workout, find what gets your day started on the right foot.
These simple stress-reducing techniques work for me, but may not necessarily work for everybody! Be flexible and find a routine that fits your life best, and stick with it. You’ll find your mornings will go much, much smoother!
Thanks for reading,
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