Those first few moments of the morning can be the most important — they set the tone for the rest of the day. But often, getting a good start to our morning can be difficult and overwhelming. Luckily, there are easy strategies we can implement to create a time-saving morning routine. So, if you’re looking to get more out of your mornings, keep reading to learn how to create a time-saving morning routine that will not only make your day more efficient but also more productive.
1. Kickstart Your Day: Create a Time-Saving Morning Routine
We’ve all been there – the dreaded morning scramble; the frantic, sleepy chaos of having to get up, get dressed, and get out the door in time for work or school. But it doesn’t have to be like this! Establishing an efficient morning routine is the perfect way to kickstart your day on the right foot.
A great morning routine should be simple, effective, and make your life easier. Get dressed in clothes you already know look good – no more standing in the closet trying to match top with bottom. Take that typical morning thought process into account for every morning task:
- Meal prep: double recipe meals for lunch that you can grab and go!
- School materials: place textbooks in your backpack the night before.
- Travel arrangements: plan out your commuting time down to the minutes.
With the right routine, you can start off your day feeling fresh, energized, and in control. Making time for activities that center your focus and bring positivity to your morning – like listening to music or meditating – are also great ideas to implement into your routine.
2. Know the Power of Preparing the Night Before
If you want to simplify your mornings with ease, start preparing the night before! Here are three quick and easy tips to help you get started:
- Set Out Your Clothes: Don’t wait for the morning to decide what to wear! Lay out your outfit the night before to save yourself time and hassle.
- Think Ahead with Breakfast: Prep your breakfast essentials in the kitchen the night before. This could include pouring granola or oatmeal into a bowl and popping it into the fridge, or chopping some fruit to put into a container.
- Organize the Essentials: The night before is the perfect time to check your supplies. Oftentimes, you’ll need to throw things in your bag like a wallet, lunch, and a few supplies from the office. Make sure they’re ready to go so you aren’t scrambling in the morning.
These small changes in your evening routine can really make a difference in the morning. Winding down after a long day is an important activity, but it doesn’t have to take up all your time. Set aside just 10-15 minutes and use it to prepare yourself for tomorrow.
3. Wake Up Earlier for Greater Efficiency
Waking up slightly earlier is one of the most effective hacks that can increase your daily efficiency and productivity. A bit of extra wake-up time, even if it’s just in the morning, gives you the opportunity to do more and reach your goals faster.
By waking up early, you can have a peaceful, undisturbed morning. Combine this with a hot cup of coffee and some light exercise and you’ve got the perfect morning routine to get you mentally and physically prepped for the day ahead! It also gives you the opportunity to plan out your day, focusing on what’s important and setting your mind at ease.
Most importantly, you will have the time to focus and think, without any distractions. With increased focus and an idea of what you want to do for the day, you can make sure to reach your goals quicker and with better quality.
- Fresher Brain – Waking up early gives your brain time to rest and reset itself
- More Goals Achieved – Early mornings gives you more time to focus on your goals
- Mental Clarity – You’ll be more productive when you have some clarity of thought
Overall, waking up early is great way to reach your goals quicker and easier!
4. Develop a Short Checklist of Essential Morning Tasks
Nothing sets the day off right like a successful morning routine. Building a short checklist of essential things to do each morning can help you accomplish those daily tasks and start the day off on the right track.
Set Clear Priorities
Before you jump into your task list or schedule, take a minute to figure out your priorities. Decide what needs to be the focus of your day and write it down if you need to. This step will bring clarity and structure to your day, giving you a sense of accomplishment.
Use a Morning Trigger
A morning trigger is something that helps get you up and going. It could be a cup of coffee or tea, a brief meditation or exercise routine, or it could be journaling or reading. Define your morning trigger and make it a consistent part of your day.
Create Your Checklist
Armed with priorities and a trigger in place, compile a short checklist of essential morning tasks. Everyone’s list will be different, but here a few to get you started:
- Brush teeth and wash face
- Make bed
- Enjoy morning trigger
- Eat breakfast
- Meditate or journal
- Plan the day ahead
As much as possible, try to stick to your checklist and work from there. Short checklists allow for greater flexibility, and ensure that you don’t get sidetracked by other tasks.
5. Streamline Your Morning Hygiene Routine
Maintaining a regular morning hygiene routine can help make sure you’re prepared to take on the day. Streamlining your routine can make sure vitamins, exercise, and proper grooming aren’t neglected.
- Start by making sure you have all your items prepped and ready. Lay out silky-smooth clothes, your toiletries, and any breakfast items for easy access.
- Take advantage of multitasking with skincare and haircare. A daily intensive face wash can often double as a pre-shave prep. An ultra-rich conditioner can be used as both a leave-in conditioner and a styling cream.
- For those with longer hair, implement a fool-proof styling routine. Tie your hair into a bun and use curlers, heated rollers, or pins to secure it in place while you go about the rest of your grooming process.
Another great way to save time is to swap out the lavish facial creams for all-in-one cleanser and moisturizer. Pick up a facial brush for your daily regimen to give your pores a gentle scrub. Alternatively, a face steamer could help to relax and open up your pores. These nifty solutions can give you more time to savor breakfast, or jumpstart your day using that extra energy saved from the morning routine.
6. Utilize the Right Breakfast Foods for Maximum Energy
Starting the day off with a nutritious breakfast is a great way to ensure your body and mind meet the day’s challenges with energy. Knowing the right breakfast foods that will keep you full and energized is essential for your daily success. Here are 6 breakfast choices to help you maximize your energy:
- Oatmeal. Oats contain complex carbs that will help fuel you through your day, as well as plenty of dietary fibre to fill you up and keep your digestive system running smoothly. Plus, it can be easily customized with different toppings and spices, so you can experiment to find the mix that works best for you.
- Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is a balanced breakfast staple, as it provides plenty of protein and carbs. Protein works to nourish your muscles, while carbs deliver the energy you need. It also contains probiotics, which help keep your gut healthy and boost your overall wellbeing.
- Whole grain toast. Whole grain toast is a tasty alternative to oatmeal. It can keep your energy levels up for hours, and you don’t have to eat a ton of toast to feel full. Toast can also be a great base for other toppings for added protein and flavour.
Choosing a variety of breakfast foods to suit your taste and nutrition needs can make the first meal of the day enjoyable and beneficial. And who knows, you might even create a combination that will soon become your own breakfast standard.
- Fruits and nuts. Fruits like apples, bananas and berries are full of natural sugars, vitamins and minerals. This helps give you energy that is sustained throughout the day. And adding some nuts, like almonds or peanuts, adds crunch and sustenance to your breakfast.
- Eggs. One of the most nutritious breakfast staples, eggs are full of protein which boosts energy and satisfies hunger. Not to mention, there are numerous ways you can cook them, allowing you to mix up your morning meals.
- Smoothies. Smoothies are a great choice for those with a busy morning schedule. You can easily blend together fresh fruits and vegetables with your favourite protein powder for a healthy blend of carbs, proteins and vitamins, perfect for an energy-boosting start to the day.
7. Take Control of Your Time with Scheduling Apps
We all want to stay productive and achieve our goals, but how do you stay organized and ensure you make the most of your time? That’s where scheduling apps come in. Taking control of your time with the help of an app can help automate processes and give you peace of mind.
Pomodoro App: The Pomodoro technique is a popular time management technique that involves setting yourself a 25 minute timer to focus without distractions, followed by a 5 minute break. This app helps you stick to that regime while also keeping track of your progress and guiding you through it. Seeing the timer counting down can be motivating and breaks the work up into manageable chunks.
Calendar Apps: Calendar apps are great for planning out your days and weeks ahead. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, when used correctly, it can actually help you to prioritize and be intentional with your time. You can set designated times for tasks and events, and get reminders when it’s time to get to work or when appointments are coming up. Some of our favorites are Fantastical and Google Calendar.
- Calendar Apps help you prioritize & be intentional with your time
- Pomodoro Apps set a timer to keep your workflow focused & structured
- Calendar reminders help you stay on track & make the most of your free time
8. Designate Time for Relaxing Before Jumping into the Day
We have all heard this phrase before: “Early to bed and early to rise,” but there is a real need for us to also recognize the importance of taking a moment of relaxation before jumping into the day. This brief pause can make a world of difference, both for our mental and physical well-being.
A great idea is to reserve 15 minutes of me-time right when you wake up. This is especially important if your alarms go off first thing in the morning and you are quick to jump straight out of bed. Instead, take a few deep breaths as soon as you get up and try to focus on the upcoming day ahead.
Here are some great ways to truly embody this relaxing morning ritual:
- Prioritize your day. Envision to yourself what you need to accomplish for that day and list it in your head. Give it some thought and come up with a plan to approach each task.
- Meditate. What better way to relax in the morning than to take a few minutes for meditation? Get in tune with your inner self and allow yourself to take a break from the hustle and bustle.
- Savor your favorite morning beverage. Whether it’s an espresso or a hot cup of Chai tea, grab your favorite morning beverage and enjoy the moment of tranquility.
At the end of the day, it’s important to recognize that taking these brief moments of relaxation can go a long way. Relaxing in the morning helps set the right tone for the rest of the day and helps establish an even balance between professional and personal commitments.
9. Embrace the Benefits of Quiet Time
It’s no secret that in our fast-paced age, so many of us feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of expectations and tasks that weigh us down daily. That’s why it’s so important to : investing in that stillness can have an incredibly positive impact on your wellbeing.
Quiet time has been known to reduce stress, improve concentration, and allow for better decision-making. Money spent on noise-cancelling headphones or a sacred spot for peaceful moments within your home is time wisely invested for more zenful living. Benefits of quiet time may include:
- Increased creativity – as you are able to look at a current situation or problem with a new perspective.
- Better self-control – so you don’t find yourself overreacting to situations that do not require being overly emotional.
- Higher happiness levels – with the opportunity to take pause and reflect, your mood will likely notice a positive boost.
Take time out to nurture yourself and get creative with how you reclaim that sacred state of quietude. As you take that opportunity to press pause and listen to the silence, you’ll give yourself the space to ultimately thrive.
10. Get Inspired and Set Your Mind For Successful Days Ahead
We all need a bit of inspiration to make the most of our days. After all, motivation is the key to success. The following takes a look at some creative ways to get out of a rut, stay motivated and stay focused on success.
1. Start Each Day With A Goal
Starting each day with a goal is a powerful way to stay on track and maximize the potential of every day. Rather than trudging through the day without a plan, setting a goal creates structure and purpose. Plus, it’s rewarding to work towards something specific.
2. Focus On Your Strengths
When it comes to embracing success, identification of talents and strengths is a must. Have too often we’ve been distracted with the things that we cannot do, instead of the things that we can do. Take time each day to note your strengths and focus on those qualities.
3. Live Mindfully
Often times the path to success is marred by the feeling of being overwhelmed. To make sure that these feelings are not a hindrance, begin to feel more connected with what’s going on around you. Live with intention, focus on the tasks that you are doing, and take time to rest if necessary.
Creating a sustainable morning routine doesn’t have to be a hassle. Start small, stay consistent, and plan ahead – you’ll be well on your way to mastering the morning. Now that you know the key ingredients to crafting the perfect morning routine, you’re set to breeze through the morning like a pro!