Tips to a Stress-Free & More Productive Morning

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Mornings can be a crazy time in any household. Having a few go-to techniques may save your sanity and help you to have a more productive morning. Try the following tried-and-true techniques to help you save time, simplify your day and leave you feeling more efficient and stress-free all day long:

Current Habit: digging through drawers in the morning
Technique to try: packing your gym bag and choosing tomorrow’s clothes the night before
This is especially helpful if you help more than one person get dressed in the morning, or if you have a hard time deciding what to wear. Start by getting clean clothes out the night before so you or your kids can grab them in the morning and start getting ready on their own. Each of these tasks saves a few minutes here and there, but it adds up and makes the start of the day less hectic. 

Current Habit: sleeping in
Technique to try: say "no" to the snooze button
It's true...hitting the snooze button throws off the entire morning. Even though it’s really hard sometimes, dragging yourself out of bed on time allows you to get everything done that needs to happen. If you have trouble getting up, ask yourself if it’s really worth a few more minutes of rest for the additional stress later. If you're really tired, the answer might be ''yes''. But most of the time, it’s not worth it, and you're better off getting up right away. 

Current Habit: packing meals for the day all at once in the morning 
Technique to try: prepping the night before
Try packing your lunches and snacks the night before. If you have kids, ask them the night before what they want for breakfast so that you can either prep ahead of time, or get as much ready as possible before you have to get them up in the morning. Thinking ahead saves time and stress the next morning. 

 Current Habit: jumping on your computer or phone first thing
Technique to try: waiting to check your email, Facebook, etc. until after you’re ready for the day
Taking the time to check your email or Facebook can be a huge distraction in the morning, which could easily wait 30 minutes until you're completely ready to head out the door. Instead, take that time to spend a few quality minutes with your family or loved one before heading in different directions for the day.    
 
Current Habit: trying to do everything yourself
Technique to try: delegating morning responsibilities
Are there things that your kids or significant other could help you with in the morning such as getting breakfast on the table or helping you pack lunches the night before? Can someone else feed the dog or take him for a walk? If you live alone, are there tasks that can wait until later instead of having to do it all right now? You shouldn't have to take care of everything, especially if there are a number of people at home to help share the workload. 
 
Current Habit: finding time for a workout after work
Technique to try: switching to morning workouts
 If you have trouble finding time to fit exercise into your busy schedule or you’re sluggish in the morning and looking for an energy boost, trying morning workouts could be the answer.  Did you know that you can get a quality workout in just 30 minutes? This fact makes it possible and manageable to squeeze into your morning routine - especially if you embrace it! You'll find doing so may set the tone for the rest of the day, helping you to continue down the path of healthy choices. It's also a great feeling to know your workout for the day is behind you and can now focus on the other priorities and tasks that you come across during the day. Take the short amount of time to do something good for myself!
 
Current Habit: ''flying by the seat of your pants'' each morning
Technique to try: developing a consistent routine
You may not like to be put in the "rigid" category when it comes to your schedule, but this may be just the ticket when it comes to getting through your day and getting things done. If you and your family know what happens each morning, you're likely to get yourself to work and your kids to school on time and in a stress-free manner.   
 
Give the above techniques a shot and see how your mornings improve. Squeezing in a morning workout, spending time to read or meditate or anything else you need to do to get your morning started on the right foot is absolutely worth it. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you'll be amazed at the difference!    

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