Simple tips for a stress-free morning

Do you feel like you’ve already endured an entire work day by 9 a.m?

Every. Single. Day.

Does a stress-free morning sound impossible?

You’re not alone.

Mornings (especially if you work outside the home, have school-age kids or both) are often the craziest part of the day. It is so important to give yourself and your body respect and the gift of time in the mornings if you are to have a successful and productive day.  Here are my top tips for a stress-free morning:

1. Prep the night before

My biggest tip for a stress-free morning is to do all you can, the night before.

• Take 10 minutes to review your schedule and to-do list for the next day. Prioritize (urgent vs important) and set goals. Review the family’s activities – who needs to be where and what do they need for the day? What will you achieve tomorrow? Set some goals.
• Prep all the lunches and healthy snacks and fill drink bottles.
• Select your outfit and shoes for the next day and set them out where you can quickly slip into them. Get the kids to do the same!
• Set your alarm.

When it comes to planning the family schedule and your to-do list, you want to hit the pillow at night with a cleared out ‘brain inbox’. Don’t take your never-ending ‘to-do’ list to bed with you.

The more organised you are at night, the less brain-clutter you will take to bed and the better you will sleep. We all know how essential being rested is for our sanity and wellbeing.

2. Wake up early

• Get up before the rest of the family. Set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier and enjoy some ‘me time’ before the chaos begins. Waking up early has been one of the most life-changing practices I have implemented in my own life.
• Make a cuppa (or even better warm water and lemon) and sit down to scan over the schedule and ‘to-do’ list.
• Ignore all devices and social media during this time.
• Pop on a load of laundry.
• Make your bed.

“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another, and by the end of the day that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things matter if you can’t do the little things right, you will never be able to do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day you will come home to a bed that is made, that YOU made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.” Navy Seal Admiral William McRaven.

3. Move your body

Spend some time exercising/stretching/meditating – get your body moving for a fantastic start to the day. Personally, I exercise 4 days a week. I meet my girlfriends for a run, hike, boot-camp, gym session, circuit or boxing class. Besides being great for my health and essential for my mental health, it’s an excellent opportunity to debrief. Even when I’m tired, I just do it because I know I always feel great afterward and I cope so much better with whatever life throws at me.

4. Eat breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast is critical. It helps kick start your metabolism, ensures you keep your energy levels up during the day and helps your brain function to maximum capacity. Trying to operate to your full potential with an empty fuel tank just won’t work. Choose healthy foods that work well for your body’s needs.

A good staple for me is a poached egg on sourdough and another of my favorite breakfasts is Lisa Corduff’s Bircher Muesli. It takes about 5 minutes to prepare and lasts a few days in the fridge.

Try these life-changing tips and drop me a line to let me know how your morning routine and your mindset changes.

I love to hear how you are implementing and adapting my tips and ideas into your lives!

Love, Jo

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