Rise and Shine: A Guide to Becoming a Morning Person

Mornings… ugh… aren’t they the worst? As a non-early bird, I can testify to that. So, how can we make mornings enjoyable? Although this seems like an impossible task, there are a few ways to add a little pep into our a.m. step.

1. Alarm Music

Wake up in style by setting your alarm sound to your favorite song. Try using serene jazz music to ease into the morning, or hard rock to jolt you awake. Switch the tune every other week to excite your morning.

2. Skincare 

The best way to wake your brain up is by splashing water on your face. By having a skincare routine, you can wake yourself up while rejuvenating your skin. Skincare doesn’t have to be expensive; some good, affordable face wash and moisturizer brands are Cerave, SkinActive, and Cetaphil. A little skincare trick is to rinse your face with warm water before washing it. Warm water opens pores so that you can give them a deeper clean. Then use cold water to wash off the cleanser. Cold water closes pores so that germs don’t get in them throughout the day. 

3. Workout 

Doing a light workout each morning can boost your energy and motivate you to be more productive throughout the rest of the day. Go for a jog around your neighborhood and enjoy the cool, crisp morning air. If you have a dog, bring them along on the run or take them for a walk. Try a YouTube or TikTok workout if you want to switch things up. I use Chloe Ting’s ab routine as well as her cardio HIIT workout. I also follow @blogilates on TikTok who posts workout videos and healthy recipes. 

4. Stretching

Stretching and yoga are stress relievers as well as a way to get your body ready for the day. I recommend doing three to five minutes of stretching each morning. Try a TikTok or YouTube stretching routine, or even make up your own! 

5. Breakfast

Breakfast is an important meal that you should not skip. Find things that you like to eat or make for breakfast. Personally, my go-to is oatmeal – more specifically apple cinnamon oatmeal. I use Kodiak Cake instant protein oatmeal and add in fruit toppings. It’s delicious, healthy, and allows me to start my day right. If you’re in a time crunch, grab yogurt or a granola bar and fruit to still have a nutritious breakfast. On weekends, experiment with nifty recipes such as french toast, omelettes, or muffins. A little tip: if you have overripe bananas don’t throw them out, use them to make banana bread! In terms of drinks,while coffee or other caffeinated drinks are a good pick-me-up every once in a while, relying on caffeine for energy is not healthy. Try having an herbal tea or orange juice as an alternative.

6. Get dressed 

Even if you’re at home, get dressed in clothes other than pajamas each morning. Doing so encourages a more productive day. Throw on a pair of jeans or leggings instead of sweats, but keep the fuzzy socks! 

7. Sleep

The key to an easygoing morning is a good night’s sleep. Try to go to bed earlier, perhaps before midnight. If you struggle to fall asleep, try an app such as Calm, Headspace, or just look up a YouTube meditation video. Reading is also a great way to tire yourself. The real key to having a good night’s sleep is to have a steady routine/bedtime. In a sense, this will train your brain to fall asleep at a certain time. After a few weeks of this, you should notice significant progress.