Autumn is already here, and while it is still relatively warm outside, the sun begins to rise later and later, making it more challenging to wake up in the morning. And while it is so tempting to wrap yourself up in a blanket and stay in bed for as long as you can, the reality does not wait – you have to get up and start a new day. Fortunately, there are several ways to help you wake up refreshed and ready to conquer the world.
Below, you will find eight easy yet practical tips and tricks to help you wake up easier and cheer up your morning. They range from brewing yourself a fresh cup of coffee, stretching your body, and trying walking meditation to avoiding the snooze button, eating a wholesome breakfast, and making your bed, among other things. Read on and stay consistent with your morning routine!
Drink a Warm Cup of Coffee
It is crucial that your body gets the energy it needs to function properly. The most common morning drink is coffee because it contains caffeine, responsible for boosting your energy levels. However, it is important that you prepare your coffee in a healthy way. Avoid adding sugar or fat cream as these are unnecessary additions with adverse health effects. Instead, you can improve the taste of your coffee by adding cinnamon or cardamom powder, which are both known for their various benefits, including supporting metabolism.
You might also want to make a whole relaxing ritual out of drinking your morning coffee. If you have it at home, make sure you have a while to sit and clear your mind while sipping from your favorite cup. And if you prefer the coffee from a nearby coffee shop, try not to go there in a hurry. Have a nice chat with a barista, sit by the window, and immerse yourself in the moment. Don’t scroll through your phone; look around, listen to music, check who invented the coffee collar or where the coffee beans come from – you can often find some interesting facts in a menu card along with the offer. Try to start the day by opening your mind.
Stretch Your Body
When you wake up in the morning, it is normal for your muscles and joints to feel stiff and sore. After all, you spent the entire night barely moving.
The good news is that you can manage it and, as a result, feel better for the rest of the day. All you need to do is stretch your body after waking up. You can even start it right in your bed, before you hop out of it. Simply lay on your back with your eyes closed, breathe in deeply for a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly. Tighten your abdominal muscles and keep them pulled in tight for a few seconds, then release them, and repeat this process several times until you reach 10 reps. Then, get out of bed and do several exercises for each part of your body – adjust them to your abilities and preferences.
Not only will this help get rid of stiffness and soreness, but it will also boost your mood, increase blood circulation, and energize your body.
Try Walking Meditation
If you are new to the concept of meditation, walking meditation is an excellent idea. It helps relax both mind and body while also improving focus and concentration. All you need to do is stroll while keeping your spine straight and your head held high (do not look down!). Focus on the sensation of your feet moving over the ground – feel the friction between your soles and the floor, the weight of your body on each leg as it moves forward, and so on.
Do not think about anything else besides walking. While it may sound boring, walking meditation is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and boost focus. At first, you might find it difficult to clear your mind entirely but remember – practice makes perfect.
Take Some Time to Listen to Music
Some people say that listening to music is better than reading or watching TV as music has more power than any other form of entertainment – whenever we hear music, our brain releases dopamine, which acts as a natural stimulant. As such, listening to music can instantly make us feel more satisfied, relaxed, and calmer. The good news is that there are no indications as to the genre, so feel free to play anything that makes you feel good.
Make Your Bed
If you want to wake up feeling refreshed and energized for the rest of the day, make your bed as soon as you get out of it. As strange as it might sound, making your bed has a positive impact on your mood and productivity. It is like starting the day on a high note. It takes just a few seconds, but the effect is powerful. The moment you enter your room, you will feel that something has been done – your work is already half done! Making your bed also helps with decluttering and tidying up, and we all know it’s easier to keep yourself going in a well-organized space.
Eat a Wholesome Breakfast
It goes without saying that starting the day with an empty stomach is a bad idea – doing so makes you feel irritated, tired, and prone to making unhealthy food choices later in the day. To avoid this, have a wholesome breakfast before going to school or work in the morning.
The easiest breakfast option containing all necessary nutrients for energy and good health is oatmeal with fruits such as blueberries or raspberries (fresh or frozen), topped with some nuts such as almonds or walnuts (also fresh or roasted). Other healthy breakfast ideas include eggs (scrambled or fried), whole grain bread with peanut butter or almond butter, and yogurt (plain or flavored with fruits such as berries).
Ensure That There Is Light Inside When You Get Up
You will be surprised at how much this simple thing can help you wake up in the morning! When you open your eyes to a dark room, it is more difficult for your body to know it is time to wake up. So if you want to wake up in the morning rejuvenated, make sure that there is light inside when you get up. You can do this by leaving the curtains open or turning on the lights right after waking up.
Don’t Hit the Snooze Button!
This habit is one of the worst things you can do because it disrupts natural sleep cycles and makes it difficult for you to fall asleep later in the night again. If you want to wake up easily each morning without feeling groggy or tired during the day ahead, you need to stop hitting the snooze button. Instead, get up at the same time every morning.
Final Note
The tips and tricks mentioned above can help you wake up easier and cheer up your morning, but the most important thing to remember is that you need to be consistent. Make sure that you perform these tasks every single morning (even if you do not feel like doing it), and over time, you will notice that they become second nature.
And the best thing about it is that once you build the habit of doing these things every morning, you will not even need to think about them anymore as they will come naturally.