10 hacks to prepare yourself for a calmer day
Do you feel groggy every morning even though you have slept enough? We all have good mornings and bad mornings, but if almost every morning starts with some restlessness, it is a sign that you need to change something urgently in your morning routine.
If you feel like you're doing everything right, yet you feel anxious in the morning every day, here are some hacks to prepare yourself for a calmer day and become more successful:
- Don’t hit snooze
- Practice good sleep
- Drink a glass of water before you get moving
- Drink less coffee
- Don’t skip breakfast
- Don’t use your phone or tablet immediately
- Enjoy the sun
- Get into the groove
- Read news
- Establish your own morning mental ritual
Let's start!
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1. Don’t hit snooze!
One of the most common mistakes people make in the morning is to click “Snooze”. Even if you are very tired and sleepy, don’t hit snooze! If you hit snooze it will mess with your circadian rhythm, so you will be in a groggy daze the whole day.
“Just 5 more minutes” won’t make you more well-rested, but can get you in trouble so might be late for work. Instead of hitting the snooze button twice, go to bed earlier and sleep longer.
2. Practice good sleep
The best way to wake up fresh and carefree in the morning is to practice good sleep. If you have good bedtime habits, that’s a good way to prepare yourself for a calmer day.
Going to bed at the same time every night, and getting up at the same time each morning, can help you maintain a circadian rhythm. This rhythm is responsible for feelings of sleepiness and insomnia. But if you want to know how to practice good sleep, follow the next practices that will help you to fall asleep faster:
- Turn off screens and electronics an hour before bed
- Go to bed at the same time each night
- Create a cozy and comfortable sleeping environment
3. Drink a glass of water before you get moving
Drinking water in the morning, before we start doing other activities, has incredible benefits for our body and mind. Since our brain is approximately 75% water, drinking water in the morning can boost your alertness and mental acuity.
Of course, you don't have to drink 5 bottles of water, but 2 glasses in the morning are a great wake-up charge. Drinking water in the morning also minimizes grogginess and eliminates the need for coffee.
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4. Drink less coffee
There is nothing more perfect in the morning than the beautiful aroma of a hot cup of coffee waiting for you. However, many people overdo it with the amount of coffee they take in as soon as they wake up. If you want to prepare yourself for a calmer day, drink less coffee.
Drinking too much can indirectly contribute to increased fatigue. Moreover, according to one study trusted Source, consuming caffeinated drinks leaves people more tired the day after they had consumed such drinks. So, avoid the big mugs and reduce the amount you drink.
5. Don’t skip breakfast!
People who tend to skip the most important meal of the day say that they are not a “breakfast” person. This is usually not true, they just don’t have a morning routine that includes breakfast. Eating breakfast before work, can boost your energy level and improve your health. If you want to be focused at work and healthy, don’t skip breakfast.
Choose something healthy and easy for your stomach. Oatmeal, muffins, and casseroles are some of the meals powerful enough to give you the energy to get through the day. Even if you are in a rush, you can still take your breakfast on the go by packing a banana or granola bar along with you.
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6. Don’t use your phone or tablet immediately
Many people can’t wait to wake up to use their phone! You can experience a lot of stress as soon as you get up in the morning and check your e-mail or and texts. So, try to avoid your phone for 30 minutes. Not only can it be stressful, but it's also a waste of time. Instead of just scrolling through Instagram, do something relaxing.
Social networks will not bring you benefits in the morning but walking or meditation will. Still, if checking news feed is a part of your morning routine, don’t forget to check our fall subscription box and surprise yourself with the best gadgets!
7. Enjoy the sun
There are a lot of good reasons to enjoy the sun, and preparing your body and mind for a calmer day is a good one. The sun is a great source of vitamins, important for a healthy immune system and bones.
Enjoying some sun in the morning will tell your body that it is time to wake up, by suppressing melatonin production. It is recommendable to wake up with sun, but if you like sleeping in a darker environment, open the blinds when you wake up.
Read also: 11 Amazing health advantages of sunlight
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8. Get into the groove
You can’t prepare yourself for a calmer day without music! A morning playlist with your favorite songs will make your morning better. You will be in a better mood, and faster and more energetic songs will energize and destress you.
Turn up the volume, sing or dance while you’re preparing breakfast or coffee. The point is to enjoy, so avoid sad songs in the morning or else you may feel sad all day long!
9. Read news
Newspapers are morning essential, just like coffee. Reading news in the morning can be very useful since you’ll be able to find out the latest news, hear about the weather forecast, traffic jams, and more. Besides, if you wake up and spend some time in bed enjoying silence, or music as opposed to content, you will move faster.
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash
10. Establish your own morning mental ritual
To get rid of stress and start a day without being anxious, establish your own morning mental ritual. Having a morning mental ritual doesn’t mean you have to do an elaborate yoga routine.
Meditation just doesn’t work the same for every person. It means to be selfish and take the time to calm your thoughts before you start a day. Just do something to clear your mind and focus on positive thoughts. Tell yourself that you can cope with challenges and your positive attitude will bring positive results.