How To Make Your Morning Brighter

Crawling out of your comfy bed early in the morning is no easy task. However, I have found that there are a few ways to make mornings brighter and easier to tackle—and I even made a timeline to show you how I do it! Just remember that your schedule might be slightly different than the one below (which is geared for my 9-5 people out there). If this timeline works for you, stick to it. If not, adjust it so that it fits your schedule. Let’s start with the night before…

10:00 p.m. – Bedtime.
Avoid watching TV, surfing the Internet, or eating a big meal too late at night. If you don’t give your body and mind enough time to shut down before getting into bed, chances are time will tick away without you even noticing it. Don’t find yourself awake past your bedtime—it will prevent you from feeling rested in the morning. I try to go to bed by 10 p.m. because I like to wake up and log in an early morning workout. Aim for getting 6-8 hours of sleep a night.

10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. – Sleep.
A quiet, dark, peaceful environment ideal for getting a good night’s rest. Also, make sure you set an alarm clock before you fall asleep. It will mentally prepare you for the morning and make your brain aware of the time it is supposed to wake up. I recommend setting it about 15 minutes before you actually have to get up and out of bed. That way, you can start waking up without feeling rushed or frazzled.

6:00 a.m. – Rise and shine.
The first thing I like to do in the morning is get up, open the windows and start my coffee maker. The smell of brewing coffee instantly wakes up my senses, and the morning light kick-starts my brain into wake up mode.

6:05 a.m. – Make your bed.
Making your bed soon after you wake up makes it harder to crawl back under the covers later—no matter how tired you are. It also sends messages to your brain that you are waking up and starting your day.

6:15 a.m. – Wash up.
After I make my bed, I wash my face, brush my teeth, and comb my hair. Whatever your morning routine is, start it now! There are few things better than waking up to a cold sensation of splashing water on your face mixed with the minty fresh taste of toothpaste.

6:35 a.m. – Exercise.
Some people like to log in their workout after they leave the office. But I think it is one of the best ways you can start your day. When I work out in the a.m., I always leave the gym feeling energized and refreshed. Plus, breakfast tastes so much better when you know you’ve worked for it. Go for a brisk run outside (the fresh air will wake you up) or try a spin class. I wouldn’t recommend a slower-paced exercise, like gentle yoga, in the mornings. You might find yourself snoozing off during shavasana. I set aside about 45 minutes for my morning workout because I like taking my time and not rushing through it. If your favorite workout is longer or shorter, adjust this allotted time slot as needed.

7:20 a.m. – Stretch it out.
While I don’t recommend a gentle yoga class in the early morning hours, I do recommend doing a few minutes of stretching to improve your flexibility and warm up your muscles for the day to come. Try some of these stretches after your morning sweat sesh.

7:30 a.m. – Shower.
Everyone knows how much a morning shower can help wake you up, put you in a good mood, and leave you feeling fresh (and smelling clean!). Make your morning better by lathering up for a good 15 minutes.

7:45 a.m. – Turn the tunes and fuel up.
Playing tunes that are upbeat in the morning is almost guaranteed to make your mood upbeat too. And make sure you do not skip the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast is a crucial way to stay fit, slim down, and manage your energy levels through the day. I like to whip up some overnight oats, a veggie omelet, or a green smoothie to get my day going. Check out these Busy Girl Breakfast ideas for more recipes.

8:05 a.m. – Get ready.
Do your hair, put on your makeup, and get dressed. I like to think about what I’m going to wear the night before in order to avoid several outfit changes (and a messy bedroom as well). If your hair is high maintenance and you know it takes a while to tame, try to nail down a routine that simplifies your primp time. Click here for a few tips for getting ready in 10 minutes or less.

8:45 a.m. – Hit the road!
It doesn’t take me too long to get to the LC HQ in the morning, so I set aside 15 minutes for my drive. If you have a longer commute, you can adjust your morning routine as needed. Either way, by the time you get into the office, think about all the things you’ve accomplished before 9 a.m.! That alone should wake you up and get you motivated for the day to come.

source: http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2013/07/make-your-mornings-brighter-health-sleep-habits-lauren-conrad-july-2013/