Time doesn’t always seem to pass consistently. Why is it that an hour at the DMV feels like a lifetime, and yet, an hour to get ready in the morning passes in the blink of an eye, and somehow you’re still rushing to get to work. You can’t turn back the clock, but you can make adjustments to your routine and save precious minutes every morning.
The Night Before. Pick out your clothes. You’re better equipped to pick out tomorrow’s outfit today. Stop crawling through your closet and wasting time searching for clothes. Take a minute (that’s all you really need!) to put together an outfit and hang it somewhere easy to access in the morning.
Make breakfast the night before. Eating out for breakfast can be unpredictable – and unhealthy! Skip the lines and prepare a simple breakfast you can grab on the go. Check out these ready to eat breakfast recipes below. While you're preparing your breakfast, make your lunch the night before, too! Have it bagged and ready to go in your fridge for the next morning. Check out these quick and healthy lunch ideas below.
Go to bed earlier. Not getting enough sleep makes you move slower in the morning. When you’re struggling to wake up, you lose a lot of precious time. So pick a bedtime and stick with it. And avoid using the computer or your smartphone before bed – the artificial light from electronic devices make it harder to fall asleep. Don’t worry, Netflix will still be there tomorrow.
Music. Motivate yourself with music. If music gets you moving, make a playlist of your favorite tunes to accompany your morning routine. Sit down the night before and have fun sorting through your music to find your ultimate morning jams.
Check the weather. Weather can upset your morning routine. Dealing with frost on your windshield can make you late for work if you aren’t prepared for it. That’s why you should always check the weather before you go to bed so you know what to expect when you walk outside in the morning.
In The Morning. Stop hitting snooze! It’s easier said than done, but you’re doing yourself a disservice every time you hit the snooze button. That extra 5 minutes of sleep really won’t benefit you, since it takes much longer to go back into a deep, beneficial sleep. Rearrange your phone or alarm clock so that it is out of the reach of your tired hands. If you have to stand up to turn your alarm off, you should be awake enough to continue with your morning routine.
Drink water. When you first wake up in the morning, you are dehydrated. Give your body what it needs – a nice, tall glass of cold water. Drinking water shortly after waking helps your body flush out toxins and boosts your metabolism and energy levels for a quicker, more productive morning.
Morning yoga. Yoga is a low-impact way to get your blood flowing first thing in the morning. Try setting your yoga mat right by your bed as a reminder. It may feel like you don’t have time for yoga, but by taking just 5 minutes for a few poses, you will save time and wake up quicker. Try these poses below to get started.
Watch the clock. Keeping track of time ensures that you stay on schedule in the morning. If you frequently use your phone as a watch but are easily distracted by your phone, it may be better to have a clock in your room or bathroom while you leave your phone next to your keys or purse to keep you from getting sidetracked.
Welcome the sun. Our bodies naturally react to sunlight as a way of waking up. So open the curtains and let in the sun as a quick way to boost your energy. Depending on the time of day, you’ll also save money by using sunlight to get ready versus turning on the lights.
