Five Tips For An Easy Morning
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?
Breakfast is always important I find if I don't have a filling breakfast than I snack more during the day.
ReplyDeleteSome here! x
DeleteI always get up early 7 days a week because I can't do lie-ins, I feel more lethargic. I love Belvita bars, I eat the soft bake ones - gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteI cant do lie ins either - they make me feel terrible! x
DeleteI prepare my clothes the night before even though I am now retired - must be a throwback from all those years in the office.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it still saves you loads of time :) x
DeleteThese are great tips! I need to get into a routine and plan my day the night before!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
It makes all the difference :D
DeleteFabulous tips - I often try to plan ahead for the morning so that I'm not rushing around :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
DeleteI always get my gym
ReplyDeleteClothes ready the night before, so it makes it easier for me to get out of bed early in the morning.
You are brave going to the gym in the morning haha :) x
DeleteI used to love getting up super late and sleeping in at the weekend but I then feel like I've used up most of my time so I like having a small lie in but not after about 930 x
ReplyDeleteIve never been able to lie in! 9.30 is probably my latest too x
DeleteI really struggle with getting up in the morning but if I go to the gym, I always feel more awake for the whole day! x
ReplyDeleteThe gym always energizes me too - I'm not sure I could manage it before work though x
DeleteGetting up with a 7 year old I certainly get enough noise! I have one of these clocks that gradually light up - they are great for early mornings too.
ReplyDeleteThose sound really helpful! Maybe I should invest ahah x
DeleteSome great tips here, I have to admit that I am a night owl and hate mornings it takes me hours to come round and feel half human I also skip breakfast so not good at all
ReplyDeleteWe are total opposites then - I'm useless in the evening haha x
DeleteI really need to get myself a bit of a morning routine and I think waking up at the same time each day would be really helpful xxx
ReplyDeleteI find it really helpful :D x
DeleteReally loving these tips, I'm such a bad morning person it's unreal so these are definitely already boosting my future morning moods! <3
ReplyDeleteSophie | soinspo xo
Good luck :D x
Deleteill have to try some of these. I'm not a morning person whatsoever
ReplyDeleteHopefully they'll get you feeling more awake in the mornings :)
DeleteGetting into a routine of getting up at the same time definitely helps in the morning. I avoid the snooze button too, that's a killer
ReplyDeleteLauren
livinginaboxx | bloglovin
Same here! I dont think I've ever used a snooze button x
DeleteFab tips - I love listening to the radio in the morning. I listen to local radio x
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteGreat tips! I always make sure I have a good breakfast and cup of tea in the morning! :)
ReplyDeleteI never even think about tea in the morning - I might have one now you've mentioned it x
DeleteFor me breakfast makes my morning, I always try to wake up at the same time throughout the week and weekend to maintain my routine
ReplyDeleteSame here - I look forward to eating hahah
DeleteSome great tips, I get up at 5am for work so I need all the help I can get lol x
ReplyDeleteWow thats crazy early!
DeleteFab tips. A good cup of coffee usually helps.
ReplyDeleteI am terrible in the mornings. I love snuggling in my duvet and reading a couple of chapters of my book. Far to easy to fall back to sleep though! x
ReplyDeleteBreakfast is so important to set you up for the day! I find if I eat it too soon after waking up though I get severe stomach pain!
ReplyDeleteI am up at 6:30 every morning without fail and on a weekend I might have a lay in until 8:00 but anything later and I start to feel like I am wasting my day. I do love going to bed early too though! x
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I'm the same as you when it comes to needing light. I'm lucky that atm I'm waking up in the sunlight but I know I'm going to suffer when it gets to the darker mornings!
ReplyDeleteLauren | Lauren the Daydreamer
I used to eat breakfast all the time and somehow got out of the habit. I'm working on getting back on track. The belvita biscuits look good.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with the light one! If I don't turn on the light within a minute, I am back in the land of nod! These are great tips! x
ReplyDelete