Ways To Spring Clean Your Morning Routine
| 3 min read
With spring in the air you may be thinking about doing some cleaning, whether it’s packing away the winter clothes from your overfilled closet, doing a deep scrub of the house, or feeling some Feng Shui to fill your home with some springtime energy. In the rush to spring clean everything you may have forgotten yourself! Take some time to revamp your morning routine with these simple changes that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day, every day:
- Prepare for an easy morning the night before: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today” is the perfect mantra for those who are looking to streamline their morning ritual. The best way to have an easy morning is to set yourself up for a no-hassle routine. You can start by selecting your outfit for the following day so you won’t waste five minutes looking for matching socks. You can also meal prep your breakfast and lunch so you can grab and go on your way out the door, and pre-pack your bag with all your daily essentials. You’ll not only reduce time spent getting ready but you’ll alleviate anxiety.
- Tune out for a good night’s sleep: Feeling refreshed in the morning always starts with a good sleep. Set healthy habits for yourself like making a bedtime ritual and sticking to it. Adults should be getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep on average per night so plan enough time to get adequate sleep not including the time it takes to fall asleep and wake up. To help you get to sleep, turn off screens before bed as they keep your brain awake with unnecessary surfing and may disrupt your sleep with notifications.
- Hold off on the caffeine: Don’t worry! We’re not telling you to give up coffee, just wait an hour after getting out of bed. It may take a few moments for your mind to wake up once the body is awake and moving around. Cortisol, a hormone produced by the body that is responsible for regulating a lot of the body’s basic functions like metabolism and memory formation, is working overtime in the morning to make sure you are ready to take on the day. As production peaks around 8:00-9:00 AM, diving into a cup (or pot) of coffee right away may negate cortisol’s natural effects. Instead enjoy your cup of coffee between 9:30 and 11:30 when the spike in cortisol levels dies down.
- Eat a real breakfast: Breakfast is an important meal giving you the fuel you need until lunchtime. Add more vegetables and proteins to help you feel more full and keep you from unnecessary snacking that will end in an afternoon energy crash. You can batch cook breakfast like overnight oats for an easy and nutritious breakfast that’s perfect for on-the-go. Meal prepping isn’t just for lunch and dinner!
- Get the blood pumping: Rise and shine with some morning exercise. Getting your 30 minutes of cardio will do wonders for your mind, body, and soul. Studies show that exercise has the ability to combat stress and depression while keeping your brain and body healthy and active—crucial for getting the gears turning at the start of the day. If you find it hard to wake up and hit the gym, find ways to do things that make you feel good like taking a yoga class or spend a few minutes stretching or walking each morning.
- Empty your mind: When you wake up, you may be tempted to reach for your phone, but this can easily derail your morning. If you absolutely must check your inbox, scan for anything that needs urgent attention and then shut it off until you get to work. Spend some time in the morning centering yourself for the day and get the creative juices flowing. Try journaling or meditating—or both—to wake up your mind.
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