If you’re working full time, chances are you have to wake up some or most mornings for work. Some people consider themselves to be ‘morning people’ – people who are able to wake up happy and ready for the day. These people are the envy of the office at 9 am, the kind of people you wish you could be. So how can you become a morning person? In this article, we’ll discuss a few ways you can make mornings more pleasant and put yourself in a better mood for the rest of the day.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s a commonly used phrase that could not be more right. Breakfast is a meal that is not only nutritionally important but can also boost your mood and energy for the day, making your morning a little bit more bearable. Usually a healthy breakfast is advised but if you’re in the mood for some eggs or sugary cereal every now and then, that can really cheer you up for the day ahead. Whatever you’re eating, make sure it’s food that will give you energy, since that’s what you’ll need to feel most happy by the time you get to work. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, have some stock of your favourite blend in the cupboard specifically for morning drinks so that you can get a pleasant caffeine boost.
Two alarms is better than one. Setting multiple alarms can be a good way of easing yourself into waking up. If you know you have another alarm set, when the first one goes off you’ll be aware that it’s time to get out of bed soon. Set your first alarm a little earlier than you need to get out of bed, so you can feel like you get the extra five minutes you want when you wake up normally. Some people even set three or more alarms at regular intervals to give themselves extra time to get used to being awake.
Watch some morning T.V before work. Some of the funniest things happen on breakfast television shows. Put the t.v on in the background while you get dressed or eat breakfast to give yourself some entertainment before you start the day and put yourself in a better mood. It’s also a way to wake yourself up by concentrating on something that isn’t too taxing or stressful but takes your focus enough to make you more alert. If breakfast shows aren’t for you, find a show that you like on Netflix or a dvd box set you enjoy and watch that instead.
Listen to music on your commute. If you take the bus or train to work, listening to your favourite music on the way to work can be a great way to put yourself in a good mood. Make a morning playlist of your favourite chilled out songs that you might enjoy first thing in the morning. Alternatively, find a comedy podcast that you like and listen to that on your journey to get a few laughs in before work.
Prepare your things at night before work the next day. Lay out all your clothes somewhere you can grab them easily. Have your briefcase, folders and other work items somewhere near the door so you can pick them up on your way out. Prepare your lunch and leave it in the fridge overnight. The less you have to do when you wake up in the morning, the more time you have to either sleep or relax before you go to work. A stress-free morning is a great way to put yourself in a good mood, rather than rushing around trying to find things first thing.
Mornings don’t have to be the worst part of the day, providing you plan accordingly and do little things to put yourself in the right mindset for the day ahead. If this still doesn’t work? Maybe you really aren’t a morning person and it just isn’t for you. You should consider other roles that have more flexible time for you or later shift hours. Why not have a look at our job boards and see if anything fits your schedule more appropriately? As always, good luck!
