Let’s be real, for some of us, mornings can be quite difficult and other days, we just want to pull the blanket over our faces and hit snooze. However, try as we might, our daily chores and everyday lives need to go on and get done. We drag ourselves out of bed and go through the motions of going about our day and repeating it the next day, week, month or even year.
Ever stop and think why some days seem so long? Are you tired of being grumpy and well… tired? Not all of us are rays of sunshine who can wake up, ready to take on the day with a big smile on our faces and that is completely alright. However, even if you’re not a morning person, that doesn’t mean you can’t start the day off positively. Here are our tips on how to have a great morning every day!
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Sure “another episode won’t hurt” but how will you feel in the morning? Waking up more tired than when you went to bed could make your start to the day pretty rough. Getting a good night’s sleep sounds like an obvious tip but how many of us actually practice that? Put your devices down at least an hour before you plan to go to bed because the blue light from your screens could disturb your quality of sleep. Better yet, charge all your devices in a room that isn’t your bedroom. Move your television out of the bedroom as well and make your bedroom an oasis of calm and rest.
STREEEEEEEEEETCH
A good stretch could do you a world of good and give yourself that kickstart to your day. Stretching out your muscles after a night of rest releases endorphins which are your ‘feel good’ hormones. Flooding your body with feel good hormones would instantly perk up your mood and energy. Paired with a few deep breaths, you’ll feel much more ready to take on the day!
GET HYDRATED
Seven to eight hours of sleep later, you should feel pretty refreshed but your body could be dehydrated especially if you sleep in an air-conditioned room. Instead of coffee, have a glass of warm water first. If you’re barely able to function in the morning, prepare this the night before by pouring hot water into a thermos and placing it on your bedside table.
THINK KIND THOUGHTS
If your first thoughts in the morning are critical of your performance at work or feeling like you’re drowning in tasks before even tackling them, stop right there! Think kindly of yourself and list out five qualities you have that you’re proud of. This can be your talents in the kitchen, taking care of your loved ones well, or you’re kind to animals; find five good things to say and start your day feeling great about yourself!
TAKE YOUR TIME
If mornings are hard, give yourself more time to face the day. Instead of needing to rush right after waking up to perform your daily ablutions, take an extra hour to get ready. If you need to get out of the house by 9am, set your alarm to wake you up at 7.30am. Have a good stretch, think good thoughts about yourself, drink a glass of warm water, wash up then get yourself a healthy breakfast. Being able to take your time also settles your mind, leading to less frustration thus having a great morning!
References: BBC Science Focus Magazine; www.curejoy.com
