6 Tips to Make the Most of Your Morning!

In the chaos of everyday life, it is easy to forget how to take care of ourselves. The morning time can be especially hectic, between catching up on our social media feeds, spending way too much time figuring out how to get rid of under-eye circles, and testing out a billion outfits all before we even have our first cup of coffee, it is easy to start our days off on the wrong foot. The way we start our day matters. You have the ability to set the tone for your entire day from the minute you wake up. We developed our top 6 tips to help you make the most of your morning!  

1. Preparation is key.

Whether you’re a morning person or not, minimalizing what needs to be done in the morning can help you start off the day stress-free. When you are able to prepare things ahead of time, such as your outfit, breakfast/lunch, and even set up your coffeemakers to go off at the right time, you allow extra time for yourself. Another helpful tip is to prepare a to-do list for the next day (psst- we have planner pads for that!) If you have kids, prep for them as well. Make that extra time your time to just be, even if it is only a few minutes. There is so much beauty in the stillness and silence of the beginning of the day. Enjoy it!

2. Make your bed.

Making your bed is one of the first things you do in the morning and can be the simplest! Starting out your day by making your bed, will give you a sense of accomplishment! Even though it may seem like a small, insignificant thing, it is still one of the first things to do in the morning. Why not start of your day by checking it off?! This will also set the tone for setting good habits throughout the day. And lastly, even if you do have a bad day, you will always have a clean, well-made bed to come home to.

3. Print out something happy. Put it somewhere where you can see.

From the minute you open your eyes, you are probably thinking of all that the day is going to bring. Mindset is important. One way to start your day on a positive note is to surround yourself with things that make you happy! Make your phone background a photo of people you love or put an inspirational quote on a sticky note on your mirror. Utilize the natural joy of bright colors, happy faces, calming sunsets, or a quote from your favorite book. Whatever it may be that brings you joy, you deserve to wake up to it!  We have a ton of free phone and desktop backgrounds available here!

4. Save the scroll.

Social media is a wonderful part of today’s society. However, it is crucial to give yourself some screen-free time. In today’s world, it is nearly impossible to avoid social-media all together; but we can choose how we use social media. We have power to control how often we use social media, who we follow, when we look at it, etc. The first 30 minutes of your day should be screen free. Try turning off your alarm right when you wake up and not looking at your phone until you have finished your morning routine. If you cannot jump right out of bed, try stretching or a breathing exercise. Listen to music. Finish your morning routine, and then once your mind has fully awoken, scroll away.

5. Enjoy the outdoors when you can!

This one is simple, but necessary! Try to get some fresh air each and every day. You will start your day feeling refreshed and grounded. Fall is upon us, which means it is the perfect time to breathe in the crisp air of the outdoors. Start your day with natural sunlight if you can, if it is still dark when you wake up, be sure to spend a few minutes outside when it does get light out. Even if you only have a few moments to breathe in the fresh air from your walk to your car to your office, take it in and breathe in the fresh air. Even if it is raining, take a moment and watch the rain. Nature is one of our greatest gifts – take full advantage!

6. Intentions & Gratitude

Another way to help shape your mindset for the day is by keeping a gratitude journal. Starting your morning by writing down what you are thankful for and an intention for the day can greatly benefit you. Whether you write these in a journal, or use them in a morning meditation, you will instill these ideas in your heart and head for the rest of the day! If you do decide to start a journal and write these down, you can go back to them when you may need a pick-me-up or want to recognize your personal progress!

Find what works for you. Everyone starts their day in different ways. While waking up at 5 AM may work for one person for maximum productivity and energy, it may not work for another person.  Play around with what may work for you: whether you do the same exercises every morning or listen to the same radio station. Whenever you find exactly works for you to make the most of your morning, stick with it. It is good to have routine.