20 simple tips to make mornings easier

A good morning starts at night. If your nighttime routine is chaotic, your morning routine will also be chaotic. Find good ways to calm down at night, like meditating or reading a book, and stick to them so you have an easier time getting to sleep and an easier time in the morning. 

Putting on clothes is easy, but picking them out can be a nightmare. Pick out your outfit the night before so you have one fewer task to complete in the morning and can limit your decision-making before you’re fully awake. 

If a shower wakes you up, stick to doing it in the morning. If it’s a time-suck that inevitably makes you late for whatever you have going on in the morning, do it at night. Mornings should be quick and simple, not full of activities that take up loads of time. 

If you struggle to get up in the morning, reward yourself for getting out of bed. It can be as simple as having a treat for breakfast or allowing yourself to watch a bit of your favorite show while you’re getting ready, but having something to look forward to in the morning will make getting up way easier. 

Many of us have a tasty drink in the morning, but they can be a nuisance to prepare and waste a lot of time if you’re not deliberate about when you make it. Save some time in the morning by getting your drink ready at night, so all you have to do when you wake up is push a button and pour. 

Pressing snooze is always tempting, but you can’t press snooze if the button isn’t near you. Outsmart your temptations by keeping your alarm away from your bed so you’re forced to get up to turn it off.  

Sunlight makes a huge difference in mood and overall health. Make your brain think it’s okay to be awake in the morning by showering yourself in sunlight as soon as possible. If you wake up before sunrise, get an indoor light source that mimics the sun. 

Exercise is a great way to boost your energy. Go for a walk, lift weights, or do some yoga to get your blood flowing and your mind working. It might be a tough habit to get into, but you’ll feel noticeably better if you stick to it. 

If the thought of exercise makes you want to stay in bed, don’t force yourself to exercise in the morning. Instead, make your transition easy by having as chill of a morning as possible. Roll out of bed, have a five-minute routine, and use your morning commute as your time to wake up. 

Breakfast is branded as the most important meal of the day for a reason. A nutritious breakfast is a great way to start your day for various reasons. Fill up with healthy foods to energize and have a great start to your day. 

As noted, a good morning starts at night, and there are few better ways to ensure a tough morning than drinking at night. If you want to indulge, give yourself a cut-off time and number so you don’t go overboard and have to pay for it in the morning. 

If you know certain morning tasks require more energy than others, order them accordingly. If pouring a cup of tea is thoughtless, do that first thing in the morning and save tasks like checking emails for later in the morning. 

Listening to others speak is a great way to get your brain going. Indulge in a podcast each morning to gear up your mind for the day without too much effort. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date on news and other information. 

Routines are vital and must be followed with fidelity to yield the best results. If you train your body to wake up at the same time each day, it’ll make each passing morning a little easier. Eventually, your wake-up time will feel more natural. 

Meditation is a great way to calm your mind, but it’s just as effective at energizing your brain. Choose morning meditations to set yourself up for success and use them as your daily catalyst. 

If you hate getting out of bed because you don’t like to leave the comfy cocoon you’ve wrapped yourself in, make getting out of bed just as comfortable. Leave a plush robe or a warm blanket next to your bed to slip into so you can stay cozy while you get ready. 

When it comes to the human body, water is the answer to just about everything. A hydrated body leads to a functioning brain, so start your day with a glass of water to gain energy and wake up your brain. 

If you’re responsible for others — pets, children, a friend — in the morning, make sure they’re prepped in advance for whatever your morning brings, too. If your kid needs a lunch packed, do it at night. If your dog needs to bring a bag to doggy daycare, get it ready at night. 

Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference. A quick stretch in the morning will feel good on your body and mind. Find stretches that target your tightest areas and complete them each morning to feel more limber starting your day. 

Phones are a huge time suck. Instead of checking your email and making the rounds on social media each morning, keep your phone away from your bed and don’t check it until you’ve gone through the rest of your morning routine.