It's 6 a.m. again and you're lying in bed wondering how many times you can press the snooze button. Next thing you know you're downing a cup of coffee while buttoning your shirt and checking emails before you rush to the office. Sound familiar?
Mornings can be tough, but there are a few simple things you can do to get your day off to a happier, healthier start.
Try these eight tips, and see your mornings go from hectic to helpful in no time:
1. Prepare the night before
Rushing to pack your purse or briefcase just before you leave for the day means you're likely to forget something important, not to mention have a more stressful morning.
If you take five or ten minutes each night to put everything you need by the door, you can grab it and go in the morning without a second thought.
2. Don't press snooze
The snooze button may feel like your saving grace when you first wake up, but it could also be contributing to decreased energy throughout the day.
According to Robert Rosenberg, DO, by hitting the snooze button or setting multiple alarms, you're preventing your body from reaching deeper, or REM[1], sleep—which is the kind of sleep that helps you feel most rested and alert throughout the day.
Consider setting your alarm for the time when you absolutely must wake up.
3. Drink water
If you're really on your health game, then you're getting seven or eight hours of sleep each night. All that snoozing leaves time for your body to get dehydrated. By drinking a glass of water in the morning[2], you reap major benefits, like a healthier complexion, increased cell growth, and weight loss.
4. Eat breakfast
We've all heard it—breakfast is the most important meal of the day! You might not have time to fix a gourmet breakfast, but making a quick batch of scrambled eggs, or having a smoothie ready in the freezer will fill you up and help you make healthier choices throughout the day.
5. Move your feet
Morning exercise sets the tone for your day. By getting your workout done early, you're accomplishing something productive and healthy. By not getting active in the morning, you run the risk of talking yourself out of going to the gym after a long day.
Morning exercise[3] can also help you sleep sounder and lose weight…who can say no to that?
6. Meditate
Choosing to clear your mind instead of jumping right into your daily to-do list can really help your mental health.
Robert Puff, Ph.D. and Psychology Today[4] contributor, recommends setting aside an extra ten minutes every morning to meditate. He also recommends choosing a personal mantra to ponder during your meditation.
7. Say I love you
We all have places to go and people to see, but taking a few moments to say, "I love you" to your loved ones can help you feel gratitude and remember what matters[5] most. If your family members run on different schedules, then a quick "have a good day" text is a great way to show your love.
Regardless of whether you're a night owl or an early bird, incorporating these seven tips into your morning routine can make all the difference for how the rest of the day goes. Try a few out—you might surprise yourself with how rewarding and fulfilling these early hours can be.
References
- ^ REM (www.everydayhealth.com)
- ^ morning (www.newhealthguide.org)
- ^ Morning exercise (www.webmd.com)
- ^ Psychology Today (www.psychologytoday.com)
- ^ matters (www.rd.com)
