5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

By Tess DiNapoli

Whether you’re a coffee-right-out-of-bed type of person or a hit-the-snooze-one-too-many-times napper, your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day. Pleasant mornings help you feel upbeat and confident, whether you’re gearing up for a day at the office or relaxing at home. Adopting lasting positive habits takes time and effort, but the results are worth it! Follow these simple tips to make the most of your mornings and conquer your day.

1. Sneak in Some Quick Exercise

Working out early jumpstarts your metabolism and gets your blood flowing, helping you to wake up and stay alert. Exercise also releases endorphins in your body that naturally boost your mood and fight depression. When you get your daily exercise done in the morning, you feel accomplished, and you also have your evenings free to relax!

Of course, exercising too much in the morning can leave you exhausted. Start by working out for 5-10 minutes, and then increase your time as you get more comfortable with your new routine.

A quick jog around the block is a great option, or you can do classic exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups, and lunges from the comfort of your home. Yoga, weightlifting, and swimming are some other great morning exercises that also invigorate the mind. Just make sure you stretch beforehand to prevent injury!

2. Use Better Skincare Products

It’s no secret that beautiful skin takes work. Unfortunately, there’s only so much time in the morning, so a full skincare routine isn’t always practical. Instead of waking up an hour early, why not reevaluate your approach to skincare? Replacing your old products with better ones that target multiple problems at once is a great way to capture that beautiful glow even when you’re crunched for time.

For example, applying a facial mask isn’t usually a realistic option in the mornings, but you may be able to get similar results with a high-end cleanser and exfoliator. Time is money, so you can feel good about saving time, even if you spend a bit more on your skincare essentials. You may even be able to incorporate natural skincare products you already have at home!

3. Make a List (and Check It Twice!)

When you’re scrambling to get ready in the morning, it’s so easy to forget essential steps. You don’t want to get to work only to realize you forgot to brush or floss your teeth!

If you’re struggling to establish a daily routine, try writing down a list every evening of the things you need to accomplish in the morning before getting out the door. The goal is to establish a lasting daily routine. Eventually, it’ll become second nature. Making a list of must-do morning activities is a fantastic way to develop lasting habits. After all, you can’t solidify a routine if your routine is constantly changing!

4. Take a Deep Breath and Relax

Mornings don’t have to be stressful. In fact, most people are more productive throughout the day after they’ve had a pleasant morning. Stress tends to lead to more stress.

The best way to prevent those hectic morning rushes is to set your alarm a little earlier so you can tackle your morning duties at a leisurely pace. Even an extra 15 minutes can go a long way in keeping stress and anxiety at bay.

Making yoga a daily habit is another powerful way to add some tranquility to your mornings. Yoga is very relaxing, and while that may seem counterproductive, relaxing your mind helps you to function at a higher level. Yoga helps to center your thoughts and eliminate negative emotions lingering from stress. It’s also a wonderful way to awaken your body and get in that morning exercise we talked about before!

5. Save Time with a Fast Breakfast

Meal prepping is having a moment in today’s hectic world. People love the time and effort they can save by preparing fridge or freezer-friendly meals in advance. Try making tomorrow’s breakfast (and lunch) the evening before. You’ll save a whole lot of time and effort during the morning’s scramble to get ready, and you won’t have to skip the most important meal of the day if you’re running behind.

Smoothies are a procrastinator’s best friend. Maybe you don’t have time to make pancakes, but it only takes a few minutes to toss some ingredients in a blender and hit start. You can even pour your concoction into a thermos so you can sip on it during your commute!

Be Kind to Yourself

As you work on improving your morning routine, make sure you don’t accidentally add more stress to it. Be realistic and honest with yourself. If you know that you need a solid eight hours of beauty sleep to function your best, waking up an hour early to exercise after a late-night may not be the best idea.

Pay attention to how you feel in the morning, and make changes to your routine accordingly. Stay motivated without putting too much pressure on yourself. Over time, you’ll discover what works and what doesn’t.

Every single person is unique, and what works for one person may not be ideal for another. Be mindful of your physical, mental, and emotional status, and your perfect morning will manifest in time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry, collaborating with industry insiders and designers, getting insight on the latest trends.