The worst part about mornings is that, well, they’re mornings. The sound of the alarm clock going off is probably one of the most dreaded noises of the day, and rolling out of bed can feel like a chore.
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The way you start your morning sets the mood for the rest of the day, and if you hate mornings as much as I do, this can lead to a few bad days sprinkled throughout your week. However, I have cracked the secret of waking up on the right side of the bed so that I can begin each day feeling prepared and refreshed.
Having a set and scheduled morning routine to kickstart your day will leave you feeling like you have accomplished a major task, giving you that extra boost to cross everything off your to-do list. A morning routine is essential to starting the day off on the right foot.
- Wake up at the same time every morning.
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Our bodies run on a biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day helps this natural process to run efficiently, which also promotes a host of health benefits. According to the Natural Sleep Foundation, “you can disrupt your circadian rhythm, which makes you feel out of sorts and can make it harder to pay attention.”
As a college student, it is imperative to be well-rested before classes so that paying attention is that much easier. Waking up at the same time every morning will allow your body to get ready for the day.
- Give yourself extra time.
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You should never set your alarm clock to go off with just enough time to get dressed and brush your teeth before you leave. By giving yourself extra time in the morning, you’re allowing your body to naturally wake up. The extra time you give yourself will also leave time to eat breakfast and to go over that daily to-do list.
- Do everything in the same order – every single morning.
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If the first thing you do when you wake up every morning is check your phone, you’ve already started to build your morning routine. The thing about routines is that they are repetitive and expected. Creating the perfect morning routine involves deciding what order every task will be completed in.
I only have classes on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, which leaves the rest of my days available to do whatever. However, it is still important to do that morning routine on your off days as it helps your body to prep itself. If you set your alarm for the same time every morning, and complete everything you need to in the same order, you are preparing your body for a very successful day. This will also allow you to better manage your time with some time for ~self care~ at night.
- Practice mindfulness as soon as you wake up.
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Whether it be yoga, meditated breathing, prayer, or any other form of mindfulness, using this to start your day will help you to feel more centered as you navigate through any obstacle that might be thrown at you. Mindfulness can be as minimalistic or as in depth as you would like it to be – the sky is truly the limit.
These morning rituals are also a great way to start your day off on the right foot:
- Drink a glass of water right after waking up
- Say 5 things you like about yourself while looking in the mirror
- Make your bed
- Check the news
- Take some vitamins
- Write in a journal
- Grab a cup of coffee
- Read (a book, the newspaper, anything)
- Do some skin care
- Exercise
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Being able to wake up at the same time and create the perfect routine for every morning has so many physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Even if you are not a morning person, you will learn how to enjoy your morning more, and it will help in practicing time management.