I’m someone who struggles so much in the morning. On any given morning, I’m a grouch and I feel like I haven’t slept in years. This is not only an unhealthy everyday habit, but it also sets the mood for my day. I’m less productive, I’m over-tired and I don’t feel motivated. I’m trying so hard to fix this, because I know that there are so many things that I can and have been adding to my day that will help me to feel like a better person in the morning!
Have a nighttime routine:
A nighttime routine is crucial to waking up great! Everyone has a different routine, but they will all certainly affect how you wake up in the morning. For example, I used to never use a night moisturizer and would scarcely wash my makeup off because I’m lazy. It’s such a terrible habit and will leave you feeling yucky and unrefreshed in the morning, especially if your face is still full of yesterday’s makeup. You really don’t need anything but water and a little moisturizer, but I like to use both a night serum and an eye cream on occasion. I also like to wind down and put my phone and homework away at least half an hour before I fall asleep, in order to give my mind time to wind down.
Have a morning routine:
A morning routine is just as important as a nighttime one! Morning routines have even been mentioned in Forbes, in an article by Ken Brokaw, as a great way to promote productivity. (link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2018/05/30/the-importance-of-establishing-a-morning-routine/#2a75482c2c31) A morning routine will help you feel rejuvenated for the entire day. I like to wake up, put on my day moisturizer and serum, and have a tea (or sometimes coffee). When you fall into a real routine, you start to notice that your mornings are much calmer, as you know how your morning is going to start every single day. The choice is yours. Many morning routines can include working out, showers, yoga, anything that makes you feel great!
Waking up at a decent hour:
I struggle with this one a lot. As a student, working part time and being active in a sorority, I sometimes have limited hours to sleep, which leaves me feeling grumpy and sleeping in past 10:00 in the morning. It’s something I’m working on for myself, though. I hate having a class at 8:45 a.m. and only rolling out of bed at 8:00 a.m. According to an article by Nicole Mahabir for CBC Life, consistently waking up at at earlier time will help to keep you healthy both mentally and biologically. (link: https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/how-and-why-waking-up-at-the-same-time-everyday-can-improve-your-health-1.4357391) Though it could be tough for some of us, taking steps to wake up a little earlier makes all the difference. You will see that you will start to feel so much better in the mornings when you have had enough time to wake up before starting your day.
Plan a detailed to-do list:
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I think to myself, “What day is it? What do I have to do today?” I then feel like I’m scrambling to find everything I need: an outfit, phone, keys, bag. I usually end up forgetting at least one thing, and it puts a damper on my morning. Instead, the night before, I arrange all my things together and pick out an outfit, so that in the morning I can wake up in peace and not immediately need to get everything together in a hurry. I find that this tip is the most crucial to me, and it’s also the easiest.