Five Tips For An Easy Morning
Monday 31 October 2016
With the clocks going back this weekend, we got an extra hours sleep; I was exhausted after day exploring Malaga on my recent press trip so Saturday night was perfect timing for me; an extra hour in my big fluffy bed at The AC Hotel Malaga Palacio and I could actually see out of my window before I left for work this morning.
Since working full time, I've gotten into a bit of a morning routine which has been great after years of college or working part time, starting at 6am one day and 1pm another. Whilst getting up early every day can be hard, these few things make my early mornings that little bit easier:
Since working full time, I've gotten into a bit of a morning routine which has been great after years of college or working part time, starting at 6am one day and 1pm another. Whilst getting up early every day can be hard, these few things make my early mornings that little bit easier:
Routine
Even at the weekends, if I sleep in past 8.30 I feel like I’ve already wasted a big chunk of my day; so waking up at the same time all week actually works pretty well for me! On a work day particularly though, it means I know exactly how many minutes I have until I need until I need to do the next thing.
Breakfast
On a weekend, as you know, its usually avocado toast but I don’t always have time to eat breakfast before I leave for work. I find it very hard to work with an empty stomach so I will always fit it in somewhere. During the week I always try to have a piece of fruit and some kind of cereal when I get to my desk! If I really cant wait though, I'll pick up a chocolate chip belvita soft bake (or the crunchy hazelnut one) on the train. They're easy to eat on the tube and the five wholegrains in them slowly release carbohydrates over four hours - it's really important for me to have a breakfast that can supply me with steady energy through the morning otherwise I spend hours digging through my snack drawer, usually finishing up with me eating a whole bag of chocolate raisins.
Knowing that I am a big fan, Belvita sent me a cute care package to work - so thats breakfast sorted for the next week. I'm going to take a couple of packs home for the weekend as well. I saw as part of their #GoodMornings campaign that they also work well made up with yogurt and fruit so I definitely want to try that when I have time!
Even at the weekends, if I sleep in past 8.30 I feel like I’ve already wasted a big chunk of my day; so waking up at the same time all week actually works pretty well for me! On a work day particularly though, it means I know exactly how many minutes I have until I need until I need to do the next thing.
Breakfast
On a weekend, as you know, its usually avocado toast but I don’t always have time to eat breakfast before I leave for work. I find it very hard to work with an empty stomach so I will always fit it in somewhere. During the week I always try to have a piece of fruit and some kind of cereal when I get to my desk! If I really cant wait though, I'll pick up a chocolate chip belvita soft bake (or the crunchy hazelnut one) on the train. They're easy to eat on the tube and the five wholegrains in them slowly release carbohydrates over four hours - it's really important for me to have a breakfast that can supply me with steady energy through the morning otherwise I spend hours digging through my snack drawer, usually finishing up with me eating a whole bag of chocolate raisins.
Radio
These days, the house is very quiet in the mornings and it’s just not something I am used to. Growing up, my brothers were slow so everyone would be shouting at each other to put shoes on or brush teeth but now that they have to sort themselves out in the morning, it’s a lot quieter. I like a bit of noise so I listen to Capital every morning. Apart from upbeat music, I actually just enjoy listening to them talk, it seems to make my mind focus a bit more.
These days, the house is very quiet in the mornings and it’s just not something I am used to. Growing up, my brothers were slow so everyone would be shouting at each other to put shoes on or brush teeth but now that they have to sort themselves out in the morning, it’s a lot quieter. I like a bit of noise so I listen to Capital every morning. Apart from upbeat music, I actually just enjoy listening to them talk, it seems to make my mind focus a bit more.
Light
When the alarm goes off for work in the morning, I need light otherwise I fall back to sleep just as quickly as I woke up. If it’s a dark wintery morning, I switch on my bedside lamp but in the summer, I tend to sleep with the blinds half open so that the natural light from the sun can fill my room in the morning and gently wake me up; it always puts me in a good mood for the day.
When the alarm goes off for work in the morning, I need light otherwise I fall back to sleep just as quickly as I woke up. If it’s a dark wintery morning, I switch on my bedside lamp but in the summer, I tend to sleep with the blinds half open so that the natural light from the sun can fill my room in the morning and gently wake me up; it always puts me in a good mood for the day.
The Night Before
I’m a bit of an early bird and recently, I have really noticed how much difference an early night makes to how I feel in the morning; any later than midnight and I struggle. I also try to prepare some of my clothes the night before, waking up and not having to think about what you are going to wear for the day makes mornings so much less stressful, you wouldn't believe it! This video from Safestore suggests doing it for the whole week ahead which, come to think of it, would mean a little extra time in bed, every single day!
I’m a bit of an early bird and recently, I have really noticed how much difference an early night makes to how I feel in the morning; any later than midnight and I struggle. I also try to prepare some of my clothes the night before, waking up and not having to think about what you are going to wear for the day makes mornings so much less stressful, you wouldn't believe it! This video from Safestore suggests doing it for the whole week ahead which, come to think of it, would mean a little extra time in bed, every single day!
What makes your mornings easier?
