A Morning Routine That Actually Works

There are many benefits tied to having a morning routine in place, from improved sleeping habits to heightened daytime productivity.

If this is something you struggle with and tend to be the kind of person who rolls out of bed after snoozing their alarm for the seventh time, do not worry! We’ve put together a morning routine that actually works! 

Step One: Don’t snooze your alarm…at all!

While the idea of snoozing your alarm may seem tempting, especially if you’re an early riser, hitting your snooze alarm is not all that beneficial. After all, whether snoozed for 5 or 10 minutes, the extra sleep you’ll earn will be fragmented at best and non-existent at worst. Furthermore, various studies have found that doing so messes with your body’s sleep/wake cycle! 

As such, try to avoid snoozing your alarm as much as possible. One way in which you can be sure to resist temptation is to get out of bed as soon as your alarm is turned off, as opposed to lounging around or scrolling on your phone and social media.

Step Two: Stretch. 

Once you’ve turned off your alarm, you can shake off any lingering fatigue or tension from the previous day by completing a short stretch routine. While it may not seem that way to begin with, it’s a great way to wake your body up, and it has even been shown to elevate your mood.

If you’re new to this kind of movement or exercise, listen to your body and know your limits. Do not force yourself into positions that feel uncomfortable, knowing that your capabilities and flexibilities will increase with time and patience. 

Step Three: Head to the bathroom.

Following your stretches, head straight to the bathroom to start getting ready for the day. This includes basic tasks such as showering, brushing your teeth, and carrying out your skincare routine. If you find that you often take too much time in the shower, set another alarm on your phone to keep you in check.

Once your skincare is complete, get to work on your make-up and hair routine. On the day-to-day, it is important that you keep things simple in order to make the most of your time. 

Step Four: Get dressed. 

Following your shower, you should spend some time picking out your outfit for the day. If this tends to soak up a good proportion of your morning, you may want to plan out your outfit ahead of time! This way, you can just get dressed and go.

Step Five: Have something to eat. 

Did you know that nearly 25% of adults skip breakfast on a daily basis?  This is often attributed to the idea that they do not have enough time to sit down and eat. However, this is simply not the case. For example, setting your alarm a little earlier to ensure that you’ve eaten a healthy breakfast is worthwhile, and you’ll only lose around 5-10 minutes of sleep by doing so! 

Not only that but preparing a healthy breakfast does not need to absorb a lot of your time – you could even ensure that you are one step ahead by preparing your breakfast the night before. 

Step Six: enjoy a cup of coffee.

If you are someone who struggles to feel alert in the morning, then you cannot go wrong with enjoying a cup of coffee at this stage. Furthermore, preparing coffee at home, as opposed to heading to a local store, can save you both money and time. 

If you are looking to make drinks that could rival Starbucks’s menu, you may want to invest in the best bean to cup coffee machine you can afford. This way, you can make barista-quality coffees from your own kitchen! 

Step Seven: Spend ten minutes doing something you enjoy. 

Many people do not make time for themselves during the day, let alone in the morning. However, doing so first ensures that your wellness needs are met off the bat, no matter what challenges you may encounter throughout the rest of the day. While ten minutes is not a great deal of time, you’d be surprised about just how beneficial it feels, whether you use this time to read a few pages of your book, scroll on social media, or call a friend or loved one. 

Step eight: Go for a walk. 

Going for a walk is another great way to kickstart your day, even if you can only do so for a few minutes. This is because it can help you to get your motor running, shake off any sleepiness, and improve your mood! 

There are many ways in which you can ensure you fit a morning walk into your routine. For example, if you live within a walkable distance, you could try walking to work as opposed to driving. Alternatively, you could park a little further away than usual so you have the chance to get some fresh air before you are sat behind a desk for hours. If you work from home, go for a walk around the block before getting started. 

Remember, even as little as ten minutes of brisk walking can make a difference, not only to your morning but to your overall health and happiness, too. This is particularly true if you currently live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle and don’t spend much time exercising or working out.

Final Thoughts. While it may not seem that way right now, you are only eight steps away from developing a morning routine that works. Not only will this help you to make the most of the (likely limited) time you have available to you in the morning, but it also ensures that you step out of the door feeling like the best version of yourself. This could mean that you can leave yawns and undereye bags behind for good! 

 

After all, your morning routine can be both energising and relaxing simultaneously, allowing you to put your best foot forward.