Morning. It can either be a great time of day or one of high stress and mounting anxiety. In some cases, it can be all those things rolled into one. Even when you make it a point to follow the same routine every morning, things don’t always go according to plan, do they?
No. No, they don’t.
Here are a few ways to save yourself from making a mad dash out the door:
Make your bed right when you wake up. Spending a few extra blissful minutes in bed can feel amazing, but time is ticking away! As soon as you wake up, hop out of bed and put your sheets, blankets and pillows back in place. Starting your day by completing this one simple task will set you up to be more productive throughout the rest of your day (and will keep you from hopping back in bed for “just five more minutes” of sleep).
Keep your kitchen stocked with easy and healthy breakfast options. Going back and forth between the pantry and the fridge to find something to eat can take up more time than you think. Stay stocked with breakfast foods that are easy to make and always keep grab-and-go options handy for when you’re already running a little behind. Fill up on a healthy breakfast, and you’re off to a great start.
Plan your lunch the night before. Whether you whip up a sandwich or pack up some leftovers, make sure you do it before you go to bed. When mornings get hectic, lunch is often left behind. Be kind to yourself and pack a snack, too. Mid-morning cravings and afternoon munchies don’t need to (and shouldn’t) be ignored. You’ll have a better day if you have a healthy lunch and snacks.
Optimize your bathroom space. Towels, beauty products and dirty laundry can really trip-up your morning routine. If you often find yourself fumbling over a cluttered bathroom, re-think your storage solutions and find new ways to stay organized. Putting a clothes hamper right outside the door will make it easy to keep dirty laundry and towels off the floor and out of your way. Move your most-used items to one drawer or shelf, and save time by not having to search for the things you need.
Ditch the morning routine altogether. The worst part about a morning routine is the fact that you don’t get to start your day on your own terms. Waking up to an annoying alarm clock, rushing to get dressed in a business-casual outfit, and speeding through traffic to make it to work on time aren’t ideal parts of any morning, especially when you do them every morning.
If you could make your own morning routine, what would you do? Wake up on your own (no more alarm clocks!) and lay in bed as long as you want. Make a cup of coffee and sit outside or in your favorite spot. Cook a wholesome breakfast and enjoy it without keeping an eye on the clock. Get dressed or stay in pajamas all day. Never make the morning commute ever again.
You deserve to start your morning and live your life the way you want to. Don’t limit yourself to the “9 to 5″ lifestyle. Start working on your own terms and spend every day doing something that makes you happy and healthy. Work with us!