Are you a morning person?
Don’t worry if you’re not. Most people are naturally intermediate risers to night owls until they grow older – I’m talking retirement age – and the body clock switches to early bird. I’m a grandma at heart because of my internal clock ticks on at 6:00 a.m. almost daily. 8:30a.m. is me sleeping in. Most people are not naturally effective in the morning. Ask anybody in the office how they feel first thing in the morning. Death and Zombie are the first to come to my mind, but society being what it is, you often don’t have a choice and have to follow the early riser’s pace if you want to actually keep your job. Nevertheless, there are some tips you can apply to help your mind and body hit the ground running in the morning.
1. Coffee - Enough said
Coffee is not only a sweet, bitter addiction; it’s your best friend in the morning. First of all, it doesn’t judge your morning breath, but more importantly, it gets you from 0 to 60 in a few seconds. There’s a scientific explanation behind its morning wake-up miracle, and it’s called adenosine. Adenosine is the substance that transforms your neuroreceptors to make you feel sleepy. Caffeine blocks adenosine, which helps your brain to wake up. It’s the surge of energy you feel after your first cup of jo(e). So if you want to shake off the sleepy head syndrome, you need to get your own coffee maker and make that magic happen instantly. There’s a lot of coffee makers out there so I recommend doing some research on articles that feature the best drip coffee maker. Your wallet will thank you but Starbucks won’t.
2. Healthy breakfast
You may not be hungry, first thing in the morning, but your body is. Your body needs to produce its own energy from the food you eat. If you want to abandon the land of the sleepy dead and come back to the land of the active early birds, you need to set aside some time in the morning and eat ya damn breakfast. Packing a healthy dose of superfoods in the morning can keep you going until lunchtime – without mentioning the fact that it’s a great idea if you’re trying to lose weight too. Quinoa is full of vitamins and fiber, which makes it a great substitute for your bowl of cereals in the morning. Combine with two other superfoods, such as raw honey and cinnamon, and you’re ready to seize the day.
3. Take a shower
I’m one of those people that like to shower in the evening because my bed is my temple and I don’t want to get in it with the day still on me. So, if you’re like me, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and jump under the shower. Herbal Essences found out that over 90% of women agree that a morning shower transformed their day positively. Besides, you can start your day feeling more relaxed and somehow prettier and fresher, isn’t it just a dream combo to get things done? If you really wanna show the morning up, a cold shower is a better stimulant than coffee, so combining both in the morning guarantees a super active day!
4. Dress for success
You need to prepare your clothes for the day. You can prepare them the night before, but let’s be honest, you’ll change your mind in the morning. Wear something that gives you the motivation or energy you lack in the morning. Channel productivity through your clothes. Feeling tired? Wear something bright. Is your mind blank? Get a comfortable and creative outfit to inspire you. My favorite is my cheetah print cardigan and leggings. If you can get away with leggings at work do it. Sometimes a girl just has to be comfortable. I have an easy method I follow called the 2/3 rules which you can read about here.
5. Never without my routine
Finally, your last secret for a killer morning is yoga. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just good for relaxation and stretching. In fact, you can kickstart your body with a short workout in the morning. Sometimes I don't even leave my bed. I perform stretches right there on my mattress. If you really want to be time conscious, you can do it as your coffee machine prepares a fresh, warm cup. The delicious smells should give you all the motivation you need to get through this easy routine.
Admittedly, I cannot guarantee you’ll be more successful with these morning essentials. But, you’ll feel more alert and active. Every brain cell will be activated and ready to come up with new ideas while your body will be pumping energy through your veins. Surely, that’s a good way to tackle the day!
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