For many people, the morning can be the most difficult part of the day,
and whether you have kids or not, the process of getting ready in the morning
can be a rushed, stressful and unpleasant ordeal. This is because many people
tend to feel a bit lethargic in the early hours of the day and most of us don’t
take the necessary steps the night before to take some of the pressure off our
morning selves.
To get a jump start on the day and to make your morning routine run a little
smoother, there are many quick tips and tricks you can follow that will shave
away some of the stress and leave you feeling less frazzled as you head off to
work.
1) Plan your wardrobe
Just like when you were a kid and your mom used to lay out your clothes for
school, do it for yourself now. Plan your outfit and accessories (including
shoes, jewelry, belt, socks, tie, etc.) that way you won’t have to make any
wardrobe decisions the next morning when your brain might be feeling a little
fuzzy.
To help you do this, keep your closet well organized. Have all of the
clothing items that you currently wear ready at your fingertips and pack away
the things that you haven’t worn in months, odds are you won’t be wearing them
for another couple months.
Also, try purchasing clothing made from wrinkle free fabrics as often as you
can. Eliminating ironing is another great way to save time.
2) Pack your bag the night before
While it’s true that we can often feel a bit lazy right before bed, remember
that you will feel even lazier in the wee hours of the morning, so take the time
to gather your things the night before. Have your purse or briefcase packed on
the counter and have the items you’ll need like your keys, phone, etc. ready so
you won’t have to waste time ripping apart your house looking for those
important items the next day.
If you have kids, pack their backpacks and lunches the night before as well,
so that they can get out quickly too.
3) Create a to-do-list
Every night before you sleep, compile a short to do list of the important
things that you need to get done the next day and leave it on the counter next
to your keys. This clarity will help clear your mind for a good night’s sleep
and will help to keep you focused the next day.
4) Breakfast on the go
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so don’t go skipping it,
even if you are running behind. Keep your fridge stocked with easy breakfast
items like hard-boiled eggs, yogurt and granola, fruit and energy bars so that
all you have to do is grab a few things on your way out the door. If you’re a
coffee drinker, have the machine set up the prior evening so that when morning
comes, all you have to do if flip the switch.
5) Speed up your shower
It can be so hard to step out of a steamy shower (especially during the cold
months) so to keep yourself from draining away the time, set a timer so that you
know exactly when you need to get out. Try brushing your teeth as your
conditioner sets in or wear a shower cap if you don’t need to wash your hair
every day.
You may also want to try showering the night before and applying dry shampoo
in the morning. This powdery shampoo can be applied to your hair to remove
excess oil and will leave your hair looking fresh.
6) Set up your shaving things
If you need to shave in the morning, have all of your tools set up on the
counter the night before. Lay out a towel, your Art of Shaving badger brushes,
and shaving cream so that you are ready to go first thing when you step into the
bathroom.
In the morning, time can just fly by and before you know it, you’re late,
unshaven and running out the door without breakfast. So give yourself a break
and follow some of these easy steps to set yourself up for some much needed
morning success.
