Most people don’t wake up feeling particularly chipper in the morning- if you’re one of those people, you know how hard it can be to start the day off with a smile. If you’re tired of waking up grouchy and cynical, you’re in luck. There are ways to kick your morning off and set your day up for success- here are a few of the best ways to improve your morning.
Sleep with the blinds partially open.
If you sleep with the blinds partially open, you’ll be greeted with the gradual lightening of the outside world as the sun comes up. This reduces the shock to your system when you go from waking up in a dark room to turning your bedroom light on. It also allows you to soak in some sunlight as you slumber.
Allow yourself extra time to wake up.
Before you go to bed, set your alarm to go off 15 or 20 minutes before you need to be awake. Although this sounds painful, it can be incredibly beneficial. It gives you time to wake up scroll through your phone, check text messages, and read your emails before having to get out of bed.
Stretch.
Nothing feels better than a much-needed stretch, and when do you need a stretch more than a after you’ve been asleep for 8 hours? Sit up in bed and focus on stretching each body part. Start with your feet and move up to your neck, giving each body part a few seconds to stretch out and wake up.
Make your bed.
As strange as it sounds, making your bed when you get out of it and before you leave the house for work or school, can improve your self esteem. It can make you feel accomplished and start your day off with productivity, not to mention that a crisp bed is always pleasant to get into the next night!
Have a hearty breakfast.
Good food is key to almost everything. Having a hearty, wholesome breakfast sets you up to have plenty of energy throughout the day and will also ensure that you don’t start to suffer from the unpleasant side effects of not eating- nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. If you feel like treating yourself, indulge in your favorite greasy breakfast- just don’t make it a habit!
Plan ahead.
To cut down on morning stress, plan your morning the night before. Lay out your clothes, prepare for breakfast, tidy up the kitchen table or eating space, and get your essential items together so they can be grabbed quickly and without much thought.
Brush your teeth.
Your teeth are the first things that people notice when you greet them, have a conversation, or smile! Keep them clean and brush them when you wake up. Brushing your teeth each morning will get rid of any unpleasant tastes or smells and keep your teeth looking healthy. Use your favorite toothpaste and take some time to indulge in basic self-care.