Last updated on 14th February 2024 by Sarah Sarsby
Are you a “morning person”? No, me neither.
Although, one thing I will say for sure is that when I start my day off right, I feel more energised, focused and positive about the day ahead. I particularly notice this on workdays as I get through the day much more easily.
So, as somebody who doesn’t particularly like the mornings and is happy to stay up late, I’ve put together a few simple tips that have helped me start my day off right. It’s also a self-motivational post because I still want to improve how I start off each morning.
1. Get enough sleep the night before
This one seems pretty obvious but it’s a step so many of us often miss. I know if I get a full 8 hours of sleep, then I’ll be ready to tackle the day ahead. However, if I only get 5 hours, then I feel groggy, sluggish and disengaged.
Try to go to bed at a good time to get in enough sleep for the next day. This might mean establishing a nighttime routine that works for you. This could include:
- No screens an hour before your bed-time
- Reading for 30 minutes before you go to sleep
- Having a bath before you go to bed
- Meditating
- Using essential oils
Whatever it is that helps you get to sleep, incorporate it into your nighttime routine.
2. Wake up earlier than you need to
This is a step I’m really bad at, but giving yourself extra time in the mornings gives you a chance to get some of your to-do list sorted and ensures you’re not rushing around.
When I have a little extra time in the mornings, I’ll often look over my to-do lists, organise my bedroom or have a green tea before I set off for work. I know these are small things but they make a difference to my day.
3. Fuel your body the right way
Start your day off right by eating healthily to help you feel energised throughout the entire day.
Somebody gave me this analogy before, which really got me thinking:
If you got a brand new Ferrari, you wouldn’t let the fuel to run out or put in the wrong type of fuel, so why would you do the same to your body?
It’s true. We need to look after our bodies by giving it the right ingredients so we don’t run on empty or feel tired by 3pm.
I’ve recently been having healthy smoothies for breakfast that contain ingredients such as spinach, avocado, almond milk, cashew butter, fruits and Greek yoghurt, and they’ve made such a difference to my days. I feel fuller for longer and feel much better in myself, both physically and mentally.
If you’re looking for some new smoothie recipes that will keep you full and make you feel good, I’d thoroughly recommend the Lean in 15 books – they’ve been a game-changer for me!
4. Practice yoga
Here I am, preaching the benefits of yoga once again. But, seriously, yoga will really set you up for a great day.
Yoga is calming for the mind and body and will help awaken your senses, which is perfect for when you have a full day at work ahead. After doing lots of stretches and taking some time for myself on the yoga mat, I release any tensions and feel more positive.
Plus, it’s a great way to get in some exercise into your daily routine without feeling like you’re going to burn out.
5. Set goals for the day
My final tip for starting your day off right is to set some goals for the day. What would you like to achieve today? What is a priority for today? Is there something you’d like to focus on?
Going into your day with a clear strategy sets you up for success and keeps you on track. Your goals don’t have to be big but they help you feel accomplished and might stop you from being unproductive or lazy.
Some example daily goals I might set for myself are:
- Do HIIT training for 20 minutes
- Do meal prep for the week
- Write a guest blog post
- Schedule tweets out for the next 5 days
- Tidy my room
Setting these daily goals helps me to enter my day with a strong and focused mindset.
Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.
Love it! Small changes can really make a make a massive difference
That’s it and then all of the small changes accumulate into a whole lifestyle change eventually
I’m definitely not a morning person and I don’t think I ever will be. Even though I love your tips and I’m definitely going to try them, I already feel myself failing lol.
Hahah I feel the struggle because I’m the exact same :’) but I think it’s one of those things where you just have to push through and force yourself into a routine!
I love this post! I wake up super early in the morning just to have some quiet me-time and it’s completely transformed the way my days flow.
Mariam
bossbabechroniclesblog.com
I need to start doing the same thing but there have been times where I’ve tried and I just hit that snooze button… Time to switch things up!
Getting up early and setting goals is honestly so key and I’ve always seen an improvement in my productivity when I do this regularly… the key is getting to bed early enough so I actually wake up lol!
I need to get into a proper routine with it really so I’m not rushing around in the mornings! Lmao early night for us both then…