What a Good Morning Means, Today
Having a good morning routine can vary from person to person. I’ve found that my perception of whether I am having a good morning, or not, is directly impacted by the routine I set and the choices I make.
For some, a good day could be getting the kids ready and to the babysitter on-time with no new stains down their clothes and feeling elated by the pack of cookies they find in their purse. If that’s what works for you, embrace it! Become the queen chaos coordinator you were meant to be! Don’t worry about what others are doing. Finding a routine you feel comfortable with is what’s most important.
But, if daily life today is leaving you feeling drained and unaccomplished, then it may be time to make a change in your daily routine.
Coping with Change
One of my favorite things to do is visualize putting a pin in something that is causing me to excessively worry. If something is bothering me, then yes it is valid, but maybe it is not something I should stress about without first understanding it. So, I say to myself, “I’m not going to stress about that right now, but I’m going to stay informed.”
Making sure you take the time to cope and deal with the things is vital for your health. Over stressing, not getting enough sleep, and bottling-up unwanted frustrations are all very real issues. By putting off stress-management and leaving your routine to chance, you are causing your endocrine system to work double-time and that can take its toll on your body. Stress left unmanaged can cause a weakened immune system and likely lead to illness.
Start with Sleep
The very first step of a beneficial morning routine is choosing to get enough sleep. Sleep is a great way to let your body recover from the stresses of the day. Even though we’re in the middle of a global pandemic and we may be more stressed than usual, rest is still one of the best defenses against stress and an uncompromised immune system. So, add “get a good night’s sleep” to your daily to-do list!
Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Morning Routine
- Take Five: I know getting up any earlier than you have to sounds like a waste of time. But taking an extra five minutes before you start getting ready can be very beneficial for your mindset. Whether you sit in silence or do some lite stretching, taking this time sets the tone for your day.
- Set Out Clothes: Have you ever gone back-and-forth about what you’ll wear to work? This tip might seem silly, but it can shave quite a bit of time off of your old morning routine. By eliminating this one decision, you’re saving yourself valuable time.
- Meal Prep: Meal prepping is the one trick to a smooth morning routine that I am guilty of not always following. Being able to walk into the kitchen and grab a ready-made container to put in your lunch-bag and walk out the door eliminates the stress of figuring out lunch.
- Make a Checklist: Whether it’s a mental checklist or one that you can physically hold in your hands, checklists are one of the best ways to forgo forgetfulness if you’re getting yourself and others ready to get out the door. I give myself a little pat down each morning; phone, purse, water, coffee, medicines, wallet, and keys: All-set!
- Give Yourself Time: Even though I could easily be ready in 20 minutes, I give myself 45 minutes. What takes up all that extra time? I think through and address everything on my mind when I wake up. I allow time for the off-hand chance a family member or my furry animal needs me. I ensure I fit in some quiet time. I allow myself the time to do my temperature check-in and turn on my computer at the office. Basically, I give myself time to start my days prepared so that I’m in the right head-space.
- Find Your Rhythm: Ultimately the best way to solidify and perfect your morning routine is to find your rhythm and stick to it. There will be days where it just isn’t possible to get your normal routine to work. Having a plan in place can help in those situations, because half of the work will already be done.
Extras!
This post was strongly inspired by the Crisis Network article, “Managing Change.”