Getting out of bed in the morning isn’t always easy. Especially not in these colder and darker months, where your bed just seems like your best friend. But some good morning routines can help you get out of bed! When you know you have some things to look forward to, somehow your bed doesn’t seem quite as appealing. And remember, you’ll be back in it come night time.
Here are five ideas on how to start your morning off right. You might have to get up a little earlier, but I promise it’ll all be worth it.
Move, Stretch, Sweat
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Get up and get moving. If you have to hit up a studio class or trek to the gym, you’re easily adding an hour or two to your morning routine. But it doesn’t have to be that extensive. You can start by going for a short run a couple of mornings a week, or you can do an at-home workout with no to little equipment. There are so many great videos you can use. If you like yoga, starting your morning doing yoga with Adriene could be your new thing. If you’re looking to work those muscles and work up a sweat, the new Studio Tone It Up App has some great classes both on-demand and in real time.
Practice Mindfulness First Thing
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Mindfulness is a real buzzword these days. But how do you actually practice it? There are many ways in which you can become more mindful in your life and in your days. Headspace, for example, has become a helpful tool to practice meditation and users have had great success. If you, like me, aren’t great at sitting still and meditating, there are a few other things I’ve found really helpful in becoming more aware and centering myself. I’ve long tried to journal, but for some reason, I didn’t really stick to it. Maybe it’s that whole sitting down thing? With the Five Minute Journal, however, I find myself easily grabbing it in the morning and scribbling down a few things I’m grateful for, my intentions for the day and some affirmations. It really helps put me in a good mood and remember even the small things that make my life good.
Never Skip Breakfast
Photo: Courtesy of Brekki
Breakfast is important. Some say it’s the most important meal of the day. While you shouldn’t force yourself to eat breakfast if you’re just not a person who’s hungry in the morning, you definitely shouldn’t skip it on account of time (or in trying to eat less — it will have you starving and grabbing all the wrong foods by noon). While weekdays usually don’t leave time for whipping up pancakes or scrambling some eggs, you shouldn’t skip breakfast altogether. With several locations in NYC, places like Pressed Juicery and Juice Press are great for picking up smoothies and juices to sip on your way to work. You’ve probably also heard about the famous overnight oats. But even these I can sometimes forget to prepare at night. Enter Brekki. These guys offer premade overnight oats in different flavors. So good and so easy to grab on your way out the door.
Make A Cup Of Good Coffee (Or Tea)
Photo: Courtesy of Temple Coffee
Personally, I don’t really function without coffee in the morning. I just love the way coffee smells and tastes, it’s not just about the caffeine. But I’ve also had my fair share of… let’s say not great corner store coffees. And focusing on quality coffee has honestly been a game changer. I’m enjoying it more and it just gives my morning a better start. Temple Coffee for one has some real quality roasts and what’s even better is its coffee club. Have you ever woken up only to remember you used the last of your coffee yesterday? Me too. And that can really throw off my morning. Temple Coffee’s Club lets you choose how often you want a bag delivered straight to your door which means you never have to worry about running out of coffee again. If you prefer tea, then educate yourself on what kind of quality teas are out there and how to brew them — yes, different teas have different steep times.
… And Bring It With You
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Now, ideally, I’d spend a good hour every morning with a newspaper and my coffee. But in reality, well. I’d have to get up really early to do so. So my morning coffee time often gets shortened, when I’m also trying to fit in a workout, a shower, and breakfast. And then there are the days I hit the snooze button a little too much — I know I shouldn’t, but there are just some days… I try to not let this affect my mornings too much. I still take the time to make a good cup of coffee, I just bring it with me on my commute to work. This calls for the right travel mug though. I don’t want cold coffee, and I definitely don’t want it leaking in my bag or spilling over me or others on the subway. Ello has some great mugs for on the go that are all leak-proof and keep your hot beverage just that — hot. My personal favorite is the Campy Mug which has a handle and an almost glittery design.
