9 Things Every Mom Should Include in Her Morning Routine
Mornings can be rough when you’re a mom. We know all about it. The way we pass out late in the evening, only to have our sleep interrupted 10 times over, waking up exhausted in the worst way (because you’re a mom, after all). Or how our little ones demand every bit of our attention, even if we’re trying to go to the bathroom in peace. And no one knows what it’s like to drink unintentionally cold coffee like moms do. So how do we make our morning routines a little more manageable? How do we start the day off right so we can be our best selves? Check out our tips on things you should always include in your morning routine (because every little bit helps).
1. Wake up to an alarm you don’t hate. If you absolutely hate your alarm and you’re only keeping it because you think it’ll force you to wake up and turn it off faster, stop. Make sure it’s a sound that won’t make you miserable from the get-go.
2. Give yourself a reminder of why you’re up. Remember when you were a kid and it was hard to get out of bed when you had to go to school — but then it was one of those magical field trip days and suddenly you were jumping right out of bed, ready to go? This is more or less the same idea. Whether it be lunch with a friend, a little peace and quiet after your kid goes to school, or getting a head start on laundry, as long as it gives you that extra boost, it works.
3. Have a good stretch. Contract each individual muscle in your body from your toes on up and then give them a stretch. You might feel lazy about it at first, but by the time you get to your hips, you’ll already start feeling more awake (and less miserable).
4. Wash your face and brush your teeth as soon as you get out of bed. Cold water on the face will always wake you up. Maybe opt for a face wash you really enjoy. You’ll soon feel much more refreshed. Then, brush your teeth. Now you’ll feel much more prepared to face the day.
5. Do a five-minute(ish) workout of your choice. You’re a mom. That means you’ll often forgo your workouts to brush your kid’s hair, go to parent-teacher conferences, do the groceries, make it to that board meeting, pay those bills, etc. We recommend a quick five minutes of just about anything (push-ups, burpees, squats, etc.) to give you energy and keep you just a little spry.
6. Drink an energy-boosting beverage. Coffee. Green tea. Kombucha. A vitamin-charged protein shake. Chug it down cause you’re gonna need it (we all do).
7. Read over your to-do list. Hopefully, you put together a to-do list the night before. If not, make it now. Otherwise, read it over and organize tasks by priority. You’ll thank us later.
8. Make sure to have easy-to-make breakfast options. Don’t skip breakfast. Seriously, you’ll hate everything if you do. Keep oatmeal, frozen waffles, ripe avocado, or any other nutritious food you might enjoy in the mornings and dig in. Leave the eggs Benedict for the weekends when there’s more time.
9. Put on your already-laid-out outfit. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a corporate workin’ mama, change out of your PJs. It’s so, so easy to stay in what’s comfiest, and this is okay from time to time. But you’ll find your productivity and energy change with a fresh outfit.
BONUS tip: Set an intention (even if it feels weird). This is a pretty common practice in yoga and meditation. Think about what you want to achieve in the day. It can be to get through the nine-to-five grind stress-free or to finally ask for that raise. You can meditate on it, say it out loud, or write it down, and while it might seem a bit hokey to some, it can’t hurt. Try it and see!
What tips do you have for mamas to make the most of their mornings? Let us know with a tweet @BritandCo!
(Photo via Getty)