Rise and Shine

Posted on: November 15, 2019

If the morning hours are not your favourite part of the day, then your morning routine may need an update.  The morning tends to be my most productive time and sets the tone for the rest of my day.  Below are some tips that I follow to make my A.M. hours much better.

Breakfast
It’s said to be the most important meal of the day and finding a breakfast that you love can also make it the best meal of the day.  I usually opt for oatmeal and fruit in the morning.  I use to strongly despise oatmeal but once I learned how to make it the way I like, it’s become my go-to.  You can pick up all your breakfast fixings from Metro such as oats and a wide variety of fresh fruits.

Get as much done the night before
I find that the key to a stress-free morning is to plan ahead.  Packing a lunch, picking out an outfit, tidying up, etc.  get these little things done and out of the way so that you can focus on more important things.  You may be tired at the end of the night but I’ve learned that its easier for me to do these little things at the end of the day then have them waiting for me in the morning.

Workout
This is a constant argument between me and my friends as some of us prefer to workout in a.m. and others prefer the p.m., but which is better?  I find that working out early in the morning gets me pumped and ready to take on the day.  I usually tend to have a lot more energy at the start as well and barely any at the end of the day so working out at night wouldn’t be very productive for me.  With the sun not up yet, low traffic, no honking or beeping and most of the world still asleep, early morning is such a peaceful time for me.  Also a great time for yoga and meditation.  I recommend a Fit Bit as it’s great for tracking your progress and goals.  The Source has many different styles to choose from.

Sleep
In order to have a productive morning, strive to get a solid 7-8 hours of sleep.  This will have you waking up refreshed and energized.  Try the Dream Away Gel Pillow from Showcase for its comfort and cooling gel.  This is great for side, stomach and back sleepers, providing constant support.  The right pillow ensures that you wake up feeling good without any neck and shoulder pain.  Pick up a contoured pillow instead if you find yourself with a stiff neck in the mornings.

Learn Something
Mornings are when my brain is able to absorb the most.  I remember back in college, I would wake up really early and work on assignments, notes, study for exams, etc.  All my colleagues would do all-nighters but I was never able to absorb any info at that time, but at 5 a.m., my brain was like a sponge soaking in everything I read.  I take a bit of time each morning to listen to podcasts or make an effort to learn about something new.

These are some tips I follow to ensure that my mornings are productive and that I feel awake and refreshed.  This is the start of your day and if you start off on the right foot and set the right tone, chances are the rest of your day will go smoothly.

~ Asna