5 Genius Time-Saving Hacks for Your Back-to-Work Morning Routine

Wake-Up Wrap

The Wake-Up Wrap reigns supreme for me when it comes to the Dunkin' Donuts breakfast menu, TBH! It scores massive points for convenience, since you can eat it with just one hand. It's a killer road trip snack, or even a great morning commute meal if you're short on options at home.

Stuffed Bagel Minis

Oh my gosh, I could literally eat 20 of these stuffed bagel bites! As opposed to a traditional bagel (in which you'd have to smear on the cream cheese yourself), these convenient little guys are super easy to just pop in your mouth! The flavor is also impeccable and I think the balance between bread and cream cheese is expertly done.

Donuts

It wouldn't be the Dunkin' Donuts breakfast menu without donuts, of course! My favorite is definitely anything rainbow-sprinkled, but there are so many flavors and types of donuts to order, like: Churro, Cherry Blossom, Apple Crumb, Coconut, Glazed, Eclair, Buttermilk, Boston Creme, Chocolate, Cinnamon, and more!

Hash Browns

Dunkin's hash browns are heavenly, straight up. I love that they're shaped into bite-sized pieces for on-the-go enjoyment. They're even better when you stuff the Wake-Up Wrap with a few of 'em. 😉

Turkey Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich

Turkey sausage is so tasty, and I'd argue this sandwich from Dunkin' beats out the regular sausage one. The amount of cheese is just perfect, too.

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich

You really can't go wrong with a SEC sammie. I love that Dunkin' serves theirs on a croissant bun rather than your run-of-the-mill English muffin or biscuit. Slather some Sriracha on this bad boy, and you're set up for an amazing morning!

Muffins

The absolute best muffin on the Dunkin' Donuts breakfast menu is Blueberry, no questions asked. The muffins are also available to order in Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, Coffee Cake, and Corn. I love how they taste alongside an iced latte!

Egg & Cheese Sandwich

The Egg & Cheese is pretty basic, but I love that it's a convenient option for the vegetarians stopping by Dunkin'. I wouldn't order it myself (I like my breakfast a bit heartier), but it doesn't deviate too far from the rest of the breakfast sammie lineup on the Dunkin' Donuts breakfast menu!

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich

I want to like bacon, but I just don't. That's why I can't quite recommend this Dunkin' Donuts breakfast menu item. But, if you're big on bacon, you'll devour it in mere minutes.

Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich

I hate to say it, but the sourdough bread on this sammie has let me down many times. It's always come out quite hard, which makes getting a bite of the bread and the soft insides really difficult.

Snackin' Bacon

Again, I'm not a bacon stan. I'm sorry!

Bagels

I've never met a bagel I didn't like, and I think the Dunkin' bagels are decent for what they are. They're available in many different flavors: Cinnamon Raisin, Plain, Everything (my fave), Multigrain, Sesame Seed, and White Cheddar Twist.

Croissant

This plain croissant leaves much to be desired. I don't care for it too much since it's lacking in flavor and always seems enjoyably dry. I'd love to see Dunkin' add more croissant flavors to their menu!

English Muffin

The English muffin from Dunkin' is pretty much what you'd expect. It's not fancy in any way, but still a reliable form of sustenance, especially if you're looking for a breakfast menu option that's on the healthier side.

Munchkins Donut Holes

The smaller donuts, Munchkins, come in Butternut, Cinnamon, Glazed Blueberry, Glazed Old Fashioned, Jelly, and Powdered. I love the Glazed Old Fashioned and could probably eat an entire batch if I was feelin' crazy.

Go To Bed Earlier

It sounds obvious, but going to bed earlier can have serious implications on your energy levels in the morning. I used to go to bed around 10 p.m., but due to my insomnia, it would often be 12 or 1 a.m. before I actually fell asleep, all before waking up at 6. Do the math on how many hours of sleep that is per night! (Hint: Not enough.)

In addition to implementing some good nighttime routine practices (we'll get there in a moment), I decided that due to my long window between going to bed and falling asleep, I should really be hitting the hay around 9 p.m. Even if you don't suffer from insomnia, it may be that you need more sleep than the average person. Studies have found that some people simply need more sleep than others.

Sleep In Darkness and Silence

Another thing that really helps a lot of people is tweaking your sleeping environment so you can sleep in complete darkness and silence. Blackout curtains are a must if you live on a street that stays lit into the night, and it goes without saying that small lights from phone chargers or electronics should be moved into other rooms.

Getting total silence is another story. Many of us don't have the option, but if you have a finished basement in your home, it might be worth moving your bedroom downstairs so you can sleep in an area protected from noise pollution. If not, a white noise machine can help cover up loud or sudden noises so your sleep isn't disturbed at night.

In addition to curating the perfect environment for sleep, making your ideal bedding situation as cozy as possible will really help you relax. Get ready to crawl into your most comfortable nest, hot tea in hand.

Consider Your Lifestyle And Chronotype

Considering your lifestyle as well as your body's natural preferences can be crucial for setting a healthy sleep-wake schedule. If you work out after work, for example, you may want to set a later bedtime and later wake time, because exercise can trigger energy-boosting hormones that make it harder to fall asleep for about 90 minutes after activity. Do you work early in the morning? Adjust your bedtime accordingly.

One important factor in your ideal sleep-wake schedule is your chronotype. A chronotype is essentially an MBTI type for your sleep patterns; there are four basic chronotypes, and each has a different biological preference when it comes to sleep.

• Lion: These people are early birds, and they probably aren't reading this article because they're already morning people!
• Bear: Most people fall into this category. These individuals' sleep-wake preferences are generally aligned with the sun. They wake up relatively easily in the morning (provided they have good sleep hygiene) and start to tire around 8 p.m.
• Wolf: If you absolutely loathe mornings and find yourself energetic long into the night hours, you may be a wolf chronotype. These people are classic night owls.
• Dolphin: This is my personal chronotype. Dolphins are anxious sleepers, often remaining awake long after getting into bed, and sleeping lightly throughout the night.

Wake Up With What You Need

Now let's get to the fun part: Creating your actual routine. Half of becoming a morning person is, naturally, your morning routine. Give yourself a head start by waking up with whatever you need right next to you (or at least prepped nearby). Here are some examples:

• If your plan is to work out in the morning, have your gym clothes folded on your nightstand.
• Before going to bed at night, heat some water and pour it into a Hydro Flask, along with a few drops of lemon. Place it on your nightstand... it'll still be warm when you wake, making the healthy habit of drinking a morning lemon water incredibly easy.
• Get a coffee maker with a timer so your coffee is already brewed when you wake up.
• Wintertime chills got you cuddling in bed long after you should've gotten up? Keep your robe and slippers right next to your bed so they're ready to slip on as soon as you wake.

Create A Routine You Actually Like

This tip is super simple: Don't overcomplicate your mornings! People on social media tend to have aspirational morning routine ideas, but if journaling for 20 minutes isn't your idea of a good time, don't do it. Here are some easy and enjoyable activities you might want to add to your morning routine:

• Eat a delicious breakfast (and it doesn't have to be a complex one! Nostalgic breakfast cereals are totally OK).
• Read your favorite magazine or website.
• Pull a tarot card.
• Light a scented candleor some incense.
• Listen to music.
• Have fun playing with makeup and creating your look for the day.
• Cuddle with your pet (just don't do it in bed, or you might never want to get up!).

Try Light Therapy

Another way to help yourself wake up in the morning, especially if you're really struggling, is to try light therapy. The New York Times described just how big a role light plays in our circadian rhythms. If you're trying to reprogram your own sleep-wake cycle, using a light therapy machine when you wake up can help communicate to your body that it's time to be awake. If you live in a climate where it's appropriate, natural light works too:

Stay Consistent On Weekends

Finally, don't let all the hard work you do throughout the week go to waste when the weekend comes along. The Monday through Friday, 9-to-5 schedule, while still not totally ubiquitous, is a fairly recent invention and doesn't mirror the cycles our bodies were designed for. Your body doesn't recognize Saturday as any different from Monday!

So while it can be tempting to let yourself sleep in on the weekends, keep up your new routine every day. Over time, it will grow to be so natural that you simply wake up around the same time each day, without even having to try.

How long does temporary hair dye last?

Temporary hair dye should only last a week or a couple weeks at max depending on how often you wash your hair. On the Sally Beauty website, it says, "Temporary hair color does not penetrate the cortex or the hair. Instead, it coats the outside of the hair shaft with color that washes out in one or two shampoos." So just a couple of washes and there you have it; your hair is as good as new!

Temporary Hair Color Trends To Try Right Now

Licorice Red

This is one of the most popular styles at the moment with so many celebrities donning this style. One of my favorites has to be Dua Lipa with this shade of bright licorice red that looks fab on her! I would recommend this color if you have darker undertones because it would compliment the red in such a beautiful way. To achieve this stunning look, you can use ArcticFox's Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in the shade Poison! It's super pigmented and incredibly easy to use from the comfort of your very own home. We like the sound of that!

Blonde Highlights

Temporary hair dye allows you to have so much fun with your hair and venture out into things you've been wanting to try! Blonde highlights are so easy to try and if you've been wanting to take the plunge but were unsure before then temporary hair dye will be your bestie! Give this luxurious light ombre look a try like Ciara's stunning highlights pictured here.

Light Pink Highlights

This color is so much fun for festival season because you don't have to commit to doing your whole hair, you can simply dye a few sections lightly to give off a highlighted look. Hair expert and colorist, Andrea Cottin from The Hairstyle Review, says, "If you’re looking to change up your hair without commitment, temporary color can be an excellent option. One of my favorite brands is Good Dye Young who carries a product called “I’m Bored” and lasts 2-6 washes. To apply, simply emulsify and apply to freshly washed hair in sections and then blow dry." It't that simple!

Andrea also says, "It comes in lots of colors and my personal favorite is pink as it has been trending in the salon. Another option is by Brite. It’s 100% compostable, and gentle on your hair. It’s applied like a conditioning mask and lasts 5-30 washes. This might be a better choice for those who want a bit more longevity without committing to a permanent color." You heard it here first, folks! Pink is going to be the color of the season!

Root Touch-Up Brown

Did you know that if you're in a pinch and can't make it to the salon for a root touch-up that you can get temporary dye to fix up your roots? You just spray directly onto your roots for a nice touch-up to get a natural look like Lucy Hale above! Hair expert Marcy Cona, Global Creative Director at Clairol says, "Root Touch-Up Spray (Temporary): Recently, TikTok users have discovered that using root touch-up sprays are not only beneficial for gray coverage, but can also be used as a fun and easy way to transform your hair to try out a different shade temporarily. If you’re looking to experiment with a new hair color without the commitment, you can try this hack with Clairol’s Root Touch-Up Color + Volume 2-in-1 Temporary Hair Coloring Spray, available in a range of colors, including black, dark brown, dark to medium blonde, light brown, and medium brown."

Rose Gold Hue

This is a new development for me as I'm just finding out that you can dye your hair rose gold! Don't mind me sprinting to Ulta ASAP to grab the Kristen Ess Rose Gold Tinting Spray. This new color is sure to be your next summer and festival staple and I bet all the girlies will be asking you where you got it! Bonus? It washes right out so you don't have to worry about the color lingering post-festival season when you're back at your 9-5.

Copper Red

We've seen ginger and copper-toned hair take the world by complete storm! I may be biased but as a fellow ginger myself, I think that gingers have the most fun! So try out this style for a fresh new look like Kendall Jenner did above for a few months. Temporary dye is the best way to see what colors best suit your face and complexion!