A morning routine tune up

The morning is often the most hectic time of the day, with everyone rushing to get ready for work or school. A bit of planning the night before can help things go a lot more smoothly each morning. So if you’re looking for ways to make your morning routine a little less stressful, try out these simple tricks:

Wake up earlier. This may seem like an obvious one, but giving yourself extra time in the morning can make a world of difference. Even waking up just 20-30 minutes earlier can give you enough time to get ready at a leisurely pace and avoid rushing around. To make this easier, make sure to get in bed at a reasonable time. Getting enough shut-eye can help you get out of bed more quickly and help you feel more energized in the morning.

Make a plan: Before going to bed, take a few minutes to think about what you need to do in the morning and make a plan for how you’ll accomplish it all. This will help you hit the ground running in the morning and avoid forgetting anything important.

Have healthy breakfast options available. Start your day off right with a nutritious and filling breakfast, but don’t go overboard. The goal is to have healthy food that is ready to eat or just takes a few minutes to prepare. That way, you are tempted to skip breakfast or pick up fast food on your way to work.

Have your lunch ready. Packing your lunch the night before can help save time in the morning and can help make sure you bring enough nutritious food and snacks to the office and that your children have nutritious lunches to take the school with them.

Make time for exercise. A little bit of exercise in the morning can help wake you up and get your blood flowing before starting your day. Even just a short walk around the block or some yoga or stretches will work.

Don’t overschedule. Avoid packing too much into your morning by leaving some wiggle room in your schedule. That way, if something takes longer than expected or you run into a snag, you won’t be thrown off course for the rest of the day.

A stress-free morning routine can make a world of difference in how your day goes. With these six simple tricks, you now have the tools to start building your own stress-free morning routine that fits your lifestyle and schedule. Start by setting aside some time each night to plan out what tasks you will do the next day and then get up earlier than usual so that you can tackle those tasks with energy and efficiency. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day as well, so that when it comes time for bed, you are feeling relaxed, energized and ready for whatever tomorrow has in store for you!