Set up your nighttime routine tonight, so tomorrow morning’s a breeze!
We believe everyone’s day could probably benefit from a little less procrastination and a little more morning routine. Perhaps you snooze the alarm 6 times before rolling out of bed? Maybe you rush around and run out the door without eating breakfast 4 days a week? Not everyone is a morning person, but there are ways to make mornings easier, and it starts with just a little prep tonight!
Check out a few ways we’ve found to organize your evening and keep procrastination on the back burner:
What are you wearing tomorrow?
Pick out your outfit. This seems simple enough, but it can shave some serious time off the morning routine and help you feel more put together for your day. Doing this even if you have no place to go the next morning can help jumpstart your motivation and get you off on the right foot.
What do you need with you tomorrow?
Pack your work bag, your gym bag, your grocery bag … whatever you’ll need. Round up the things you’re going to need for the next day so you aren’t running all over the place on your way out the door. Doing this the night before allows you to think through what you really need, where it’s at, and where to put it so you’re less likely to forget it.
What’s for breakfast?
Set out your breakfast (or at least the nonperishable items). Breakfast is important, and for many of us, it’s the first thing we skip. A few minutes of planning tonight means you won’t be hungry when you get to work or stop at the coffee shop on your way for a donut.
What’s for lunch?
Make it! Same idea as above, different meal. Leftovers from dinner work great for this! Save yourself from the fast food hangries and pack that Tupperware. You’ll eat healthier, waste less, and save money!
What needs to get done tomorrow?
Make a list of the things you want to accomplish tomorrow, or even just a reminder for the few things you don’t want to forget. Getting it out of your head and onto paper or into your phone as a reminder will help prevent you from waking up at 2 a.m. in a panic. Result? Better sleep.
Get rid of the blue light.
Try and avoid screen time before bed if possible (TV, too!). It can affect not just the amount of sleep you get at night, but also the quality of your sleep. Try reading a real paper book instead and see how it goes! #leadersarereaders
How much sleep do you need?
Go to bed at a decent time. Make sure you’re getting enough Zzzs so you have the chance to wake up as energized as your body will allow. Staying up all night is sure to throw off your morning routine and start your day off with you just trying to catch up.
Don’t snooze
Set your alarm to give you enough time in the morning to wake up, but make sure you get up the first time it goes off. If you need 20 minutes of uninterrupted time not talking to another human, or you like to wake up by sitting and staring at the wall for 5 minutes, set that alarm a tad earlier and give yourself just that.
Stay hydrated
Drink water all day (this is just good practice in general). If you drink enough before you head to bed, you’ll wake up with less puffiness around your eyes (guys, this is for you, too!), so even if you’re tired, you’ll look LESS tired. Plus, your happily hydrated organs will thank you.
Learn to follow a routine
Some people might benefit from a more strict morning routine, while others might need a little more lenience. Here’s one way to accomplish a more structured and routine morning, step by step!
You don’t need to implement every one of these helpful tidbits, but we encourage you to think about the way you interact with your mornings right now and find one or two ways you can make a change for the better.
Are you a morning person? A night owl? How do you start or end your day? Let us know in the comments below!
