Few people in the world actually enjoy their mornings; it's more about getting ready and getting out the door just in time to make it to work, school, or wherever we have to be. I'll admit, I am NOT a morning person by any sense of the word. I could lay in bed until 10 a.m. every day and be fine with it. Unfortunately, that is unacceptable in society unless you work later shifts at your job or go to school online. Even then, lying in bed while you could be up having a productive life seems slightly silly. So to fight those "I woke up on the wrong side of the bed" blues, here are 15 things to add to your morning to make it much more worth while.
1. Listen to upbeat music.
This one is easy. You don't even have to take any extra time out of your morning. Just make a playlist of some songs that make you feel like smiling or dancing and put it on while you go about everything else. You can even do this in the car on your way to wherever your going.
2. Stretch.
Even just lying in bed for a couple extra minutes to stretch every extremity can be extremely beneficial. It gets your blood flowing and wakes you up. Plus, have you ever stretched right after you woke up? It just feels great!
3. Shower in the morning.
OK, I know this one is hard for some of us. Personally, I don't like to blow dry my hair and it takes way too long to air dry so I really can't shower in the morning unless I wake up at an ungodly hour. For those who can do this though, it is a great way to wake you up and wash all the sleepiness away.
4. Read something motivational.
This can be as simple as a quote or as in depth as a morning bible study. Use a dry erase marker to write a quote on your mirror where you can see it every morning, or have a set amount of time to spend in the bible. Either way, it will boost your attitude toward the rest of the day.
5. Take your vitamins.
This one should be happening already, but let's be real, it probably isn't. Buy you some vitamins, and set them by your bed each night so you can remember to take them. Healthier equals happier.
6. Drink some hot tea or coffee.
Sit down at your dining room table or in your little breakfast nook and actually enjoy a nice hot drink. They each have their own health benefits, just make sure you aren't eliminating them with too much sugars and creamers.
7. Don't make decisions.
That's right, you shouldn't be making any decisions in the mornings. You should be able to enjoy the morning without any stress of millions of decisions. So write down everything you need to do the night before. Pack your lunch and pick out your outfit all the night before. This takes some stress away from your morning and starts your day off way more smoothly.
8. Cuddle.
If you have a significant other, kids, or pets be sure to cuddle them even if only for a few minutes. If you don't have any of those, cuddling a stuffed animal can have a similar effect.
9. Check your calendar.
Check to see what you have to do today. This way you won't be surprised by any meetings or extra things you needed to know, but instead you will be fully prepared.
10. Drink a glass of water.
This should probably be way higher on the list because of how important it is. You spend the entire night becoming dehydrated, so you really need to replace all of that lost fluid. Wake up, get a glass of water, down it, then start the rest of your routine.
11. Keep your essentials in one place.
Have you ever walked out the door only to walk right back because you forgot something important, like your wallet? It happens to the best of us. Keep the things you need like a wallet or purse, your keys, and umbrella, and other essentials in a basket by the front door so you won't spend your morning wondering where you put things down at.
12. Talk to the people you love.
If you live with them, this shouldn't be too hard. Just spend a few moments asking them what they have planned for the day. If you don't live with them, call them up while your enjoying that tea or coffee we talked about earlier or even on your morning drive. You don't have to spend hours talking to them in the morning, but just hearing the voice of the people you care about can change your mood dramatically for the better.
13. Take a quick walk.
I'm not telling you to do a morning marathon, although those people do exist. I'm simply telling you to put on your running shoes and get a few steps in. This is especially important if you spend most of your day sitting. It is easier to get going in the morning than to convince ourselves to exercise in the evening after a long hard day.
14. Read something productive.
Reading again? What can I say, I think the benefits of reading are exponential. Take a few moments to look for articles to read. I do this on my phone every morning. Read about politics, scientific discoveries, current events, pop culture, or new gadgets. The possibilities are endless with all the information we have at our fingertips, so take advantage of it!
15. Eat breakfast.
I know you have heard this one a million times, but it had to go on this list because it really is that important. Sit down, eat something healthy, and enjoy the benefit of feeling fuller all day long.
Now I'm not saying you need to wake up two hours earlier just to do everything on this list because trust me, I do not plan on waking up at 4 a.m. Pick one or two that sound doable. Integrate those into your morning routine and see what they do for you. Change it up every now and then. Most importantly, make sure you are making the most of your morning because it influences how the rest of your day goes.
