For those of you that aren’t exactly “morning people”, that time of day can be one of the most feared parts of your week. No matter how much sleep you get the night before, you never feel prepared for what is ahead when the sun rises the next day.
While this may never be your favorite time of day, there are ways to improve how smoothly it goes. This all starts the night before, which as you will see, is the true start to a successful next day. Here are five tips to get yourself ready for bed and have a better start to the day.
- Clean Up
Waking up to a messy house is not a good way to start your morning. Not only is it no fun, but it can actually cause stress, which is not what you need when you first wake up. The night before, be sure to pick your clothes up off the floor and put them away so you’re not tripping over them in the morning. No one wants to make breakfast in a messy kitchen, so be sure to take time in the evening to wash the dishes and wipe down all counters. When you take just a few minutes to tidy up at the end of the day, it can make a huge difference in how you feel in the morning.
- Prepare for the Day Ahead
Gather what you need to take with you in the morning – whether it be certain files, books or notes that you usually don’t take – and place them near the front door with the every day things you take with you. Glance at your email in the evening and respond to the easy messages or those that need your immediate attention. With this task out of the way, you’ll already be ahead of schedule the next day.
- Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
If you bring your lunch with you, prepare and pack as much as you can the night before. There are plenty of ways to get ahead of your morning such as programmable coffeepots that begin brewing at specifically scheduled times. Waking up is much easier when there is already coffee waiting for you. Breakfast can seem like less of a task by simply laying out breakfast dishes and flatware ahead of time. You can even place the cereal box on the table, cut some fruit the night before, or follow any of these incredibly easy breakfast hacks to ensure you start the day with a more nutritious and filling choice than a cup of coffee and toast on the go.
- Know What You’re Wearing
Check the weather forecast and pick out your clothing for the next day, including shoes and any accessories. Go the extra mile and check on these clothes to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you discover your outfit isn’t ready to wear. No one wants to start the morning with a scramble. If the forecast calls for rain, locate your umbrella and place it by the front door. Snow? – get your boots, gloves and ear muffs ready. You don’t want to be searching for items at the last minute, or worse, get outside and have to go back in.
- Keep a Regular Bedtime
Your body has an internal clock and when you maintain a regular bedtime, it will start to wind down by a certain time each day. A half hour before bedtime, begin your pre-bed routines, turn off all screens, lower the lights and open a book to lull you to sleep. Try to get at least six to eight hours of sleep per night, whichever you find works best for your body.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll be surprised how great – or tolerable – your mornings can be!