I am not a morning person, and frankly I don’t think I ever will be. Along with the majority of adults, I do have to wake up at a certain time in order to fulfill my obligations for the day and make the most of my time. After many failed attempts at getting a morning routine together, there are a few things that I know help me boost my morning even though I dread waking up:

1. Set on multiple alarms

It’s easy to sleep in with only one alarm. If you know you have a hard time waking up, you need at least a couple to really make sure you don’t fall asleep after the first one. Depending on how deep of a sleep I’m in, I can hit snooze multiple times without even realizing it. It’s a daily struggle, but having a back-up (or three) definitely helps.

2. Prepare the day before

Picking out your outfit and packing your lunch the day before can help save you a lot of time in the morning. We tend to move slowly when we first wake up, so being prepared will help you avoid last minute scrambling.

3. Stretch or exercise

When you get up, get moving. It’s so easy to drag out your day if you start out dragging your feet everywhere. If you aren't a fanatic of the gym, walk around the block. Do some simple yoga poses or stretches. Exercise increases endorphins and helps you feel refreshed and ready for the day.

4. Water before coffee

Drinking water first thing needs to be a staple when designing your own morning routine. We tend to be dehydrated when we wake up, so it’s critical that we reach for water before we reach for coffee. Don't get me wrong, I need my daily dose of caffeine, but having water before anything else is vital.

5. Look forward to something each day

We all need something to look forward to each day. Whether it’s your job, your family, your pet, or your early morning meditation—if you have something that makes you happy, you will have the energy to feel good and get your day started. The mind is the most powerful tool we have; so wake up, think positively and “fake it ‘til you make it.”