Mornings are such a relaxing time. Sunny days, a fresh start, waking up feeling refreshed; these are all things that can put anyone in a good mood.
However, not every morning feels that blissful. Hitting the snooze over and over to sneak in a couple extra minutes of sleep can force a rushed morning routine. Mornings can foreshadow how the rest of the day will be. If they start out rocky, it can be hard to turn it back around.
Julia Carlson is a sophomore in college who has turned her days around by doing some of the tricks listed below.
Not everyone is a morning person, but dedicating a few minutes each morning to yourself can really change your attitude throughout the day. Getting the body mentally, physically and emotionally ready first thing in the morning is the best way to ensure a healthy and productive day.
After doing these tips each day, they will eventually become a habit and turn into a morning routine. None of these steps require much effort and almost everyone will have time for them.
Here are five tips to incorporate into your morning that will prepare you for the day ahead.
- Drink Water
This might sound silly, but not everyone drinks water right when they wake up. It’s easy to have a glass sitting on the nightstand, but that could mean taking a quick swig and going back to bed. Walk into the kitchen and pour a glass of water. Cold water isn’t good for the gut first thing in the morning, so go with room temperature. If water isn’t appealing, add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh citrus taste.
“I was never energized in the morning and I couldn’t figure out why,” Carlson said. “I started chugging a glass of water right in the morning before any food and it has made such a difference in my morning routine.”
2. Don’t Check Social Media
Almost everyone grabs their phone first thing in the morning. Many times those notifications are something negative anyway, and no one wants to start the morning off like that. Try turning on the do not disturb mode prior to falling asleep. This way, the notifications won’t go off and become tempting to look at.
When a phone is placed on a night stand, it can be really easy to grab it first thing in the morning. Photo taken by Sophia DeVito.
3. Do a Quick Workout
Not everyone will have time for this, but it can be simple to make room for it. This doesn’t have to be an elaborate workout at the gym with weights. It can just be stretching. Getting the body moving is a great way to awaken the mind. Devote 10 minutes to moving the body around, even just walking up and down the stairs a couple of times. It’ll make the body and mind more energized and ready to take on the day.
Carlson added that, when she has time, she gets herself to the gym. “I prefer to go in the morning because I feel like it puts my day on the right track and also just gets my heart beating and blood pumping.”
4. Try to Plan or Journal
Get a cute planner from T.J. Maxx and a couple of pens and highlighters. Jot down what the day will entail and make a checklist. That way, throughout the day, each item can get checked off. Checking items off a list is satisfying. If this doesn’t seem helpful, try to just write down those post-dream feelings. The Five-Minute Journal is great for those who are crunched for time. It has positive notes and quotes to help boost productivity and promote positive thinking.
Cute planners like this one can be visually pleasing to keep out on a desk as a reminder to do a morning plan sesh. Photo taken by Sophia DeVito.
5. Get Some Sun
The sun is one of the best ways to start the day off on the right foot. It provides Vitamin D and it is essential. Getting Vitamin D through the skin is much more beneficial than getting it through food because in food the dosage is much smaller. If going outside for a few minutes to soak up the sunshine isn’t as accessible, that’s OK. Instead, keep the blinds and shades open so the sunlight pours in first thing. It will also prompt the body to wake up extra early because the sun is already shining in.
Opening the blinds first thing in the morning will let in the warmth of the sun. Photo taken by Sophia DeVito.
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