Mornings, who needs ‘em?
Well, I guess we all do, but sometimes it can be difficult to get going. However, there’s a solution to getting your morning on track.
What?
You set yourself up for success the night before.
Of course, better mornings are pretty easy once you have a morning routine in place, but your best mornings happen when you’re ready to hit the ground running. To do this, try doing these six simple things in advance.
Check Your Diet
Most of us have heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” Because eating a nutritious diet is an important part of managing your stress before your stress manages you. But it’s also important to pay attention to when you eat.
Eating right before bed or having caffeine in the late afternoon or early evening can make your sleep restless. Pay attention to what you eat in the hours before bed and switching out to decaf, you'll feel better in the morning.
Lay Out Your Clothes
Nothing wastes time in the morning like searching for your accessories or discovering that your shirt has a stain. Figure out what you’re gonna wear the night before and you'll cut your morning prep time in half.
Check Your Schedule
What’s on your to-do list for the morning? Calls, appointments or project tasks? Adjust your wake-up time as needed to avoid rushing and extra stress. Taking a few minutes to check your schedule will help keep you on track.
Make A List
Speaking of planning, what are your goals for tomorrow? Write down a shortlist (no more than 3 or 4 things) of what you'd like to accomplish during the day. It helps you stay on task and increases your productivity.
Choose A Bedtime
We all know how crucial it is to get enough rest at night. That can be easier said than done. The average adult requires 7 – 9 hours of sleep. Coordinate your bedtime with your wake time and stick to it. Make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get through your morning routine without being rushed.
Set Yourself Up For Great Sleep
And while you’re looking at your bedtime, take a look at your sleep hygiene. Because you're never gonna start off on a good foot in the morning if your sleep was terrible the night before. So turn your bedroom into your sleep sanctuary. My previous post on sleep hygiene tells you how to do this.
The great thing is that none of these things takes more than a few minutes to do. Make them part of your evening routine and you’ll be on track for a great day, every day! You can do it, because it’s all about Making Time.
Let’s talk. What will you do tonight to ensure that you’ll have a great tomorrow? Let me know in the comments section.
Night sky Photo by Greg Jeanneau 🗾 on Unsplash
Cassandra Martin-Himmons is a facilitator, stress management coach and author of “Yes I’m Grateful,” a gratitude journal. She believes in empowering her clients to help them manage their stress and increase self-care. In her spare time, she enjoys papercrafting, volunteering and travel. Connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn