I am a night person. I didn't want to begin this post by a negative sentence so I didn't write I am not a morning person. But my day starts with negativity. Every morning (edit: afternoon) I get up, and regret that it's not morning anymore. Every night I decide that next day I would experience the time of the day that is missing from my life, that is, morning. But next day, I end up having morning tea according to some other time-zone.
So I asked my friend, who is a lifestyle designer (having said classy things about her would make you read this article more attentively) about how to get out that door faster, and she sent me the following hacks via email. Please read them, follow them, start being a morning person, and I would follow you people.
On a more serious note, a more serious information. This friend of mine used to be a late-riser once upon a time, but now her body-clock is perfectly adjusted to the wall-clock the way she wants, Hence, I think, both you and me can rely on her and follow her advice. Here is what she wrote to me:
Sleep is the best part of life for me! Who doesn’t like 5
more minutes of shut eye or just a cozy snuggle under the covers? Whoever
invented the snooze button: thank you!However we all need to wake up earlier
than our body would like specially on those important days for which you stay
up late the night before to prepare. Sigh! I have forever wished for a relaxed
and smooth start to my day, maybe pick up a new habit like doing that yoga
routine.
So whether it is to get that extra few minutes of snooze,
incorporate a new habit into the morning routine, or just one of those days
when the bed won the war and got you late, here are 10 tried and tested hacks
that I have used over and over again for a happy start.
Mom was right, prepare the night before
I remember my school days when my mom would
make sure I packed my bag for the next morning before going to bed. As I became
more independent and my life became more chaotic, this habit seemed to be
difficult to keep up leading to me scrambling in the morning trying to figure
out all the things I need to dump into my sac and leave the house. Needless to
say, this not only leads to a chaotic start, but leads to me forgetting things
once in a while. Realizing that wonderful bottle of water that would quench my
thirst when walking in scorching heat brings back my mom’s voice telling me to
pack my bags the night before.
At the end of the day you know what your
plans are for the next day and have time to look for things that conveniently
hide away when you need them. It not only saves time but ensures you have all
that you need. Sure somethings need to
be put the morning of, like maybe your house keys but there are so many things
that can be packed in before! Like that bottle of water, papers you need to
carry, documents like your ID cards which is often a staple in your wallet,
speaking of which: your wallet, weather gears like a jacket or umbrella and the
list goes on!
Organize OrganizeOrganize!
How much time do you spend fluttering
through your clothes to pick one? And how many of those clothes you go through
are not even work clothes? No matter how many jokes we crack about OCD’s like
Monica in friends or Sheldon in the Big Bang theory, having a system does help
keep you sane and quick in crucial times. Organizing your clothes according to
what you might wear to work and what you will never wear to work, or keeping
your breakfast items in a different cabinet so you don’t have to move your
biriyani spices to get to them, or keeping your getting ready for work
belongings in a different corner than the other stuffs will help you get out
that door fast!
Find Out What Wakes You Up
Is it caffeine? Or exercise? Or just plain
old happy dance music? For me it is lemon squeezed in hot water. For a long
time I have heard so many Youtubers rave about this saying it detoxifies and
helps aid weight loss that I had to try it. I don’t know if any of that
happened but the tangy drink is refreshing and stimulating! I feel it works
much better than caffeine which takes time to take effect which leads to a
slower start.
Go Outside
Even if for a minute, going out to the
balcony and feeling the fresh morning has its own way of telling your body it is
time to get going for the day. Feeling the sun has its own benefit as it is
known about the age old Surya Namaskar yoga. If yoga isn’t your thing, have
your drink or read the paper on your balcony instead of the dimly lit living
room where you probably curl in and watch TV.
Reward Yourself
Let’s accept the fact that humans,
especially when you have just pulled them out of their comfy bed, do need
incentives. So give yourself incentives that will make you want to look forward
to waking up early. I like to promise myself a coffee on my way if I catch the
early bus.
Let the clocks tick tock
One way to not get late in spite of waking
up on time is to keep a constant watch on the clock. To all those pun
enthusiasts, no I don’t keep my wrist watch on the only old school clock in my
house. What I mean is keeping a constant track of time will keep you going
during that tired and slow first hour of the day. The main hack here is to
actually keep old school clocks at different locations. Cell phones, I’m sorry
just won’t do. Cell phones these days go with us everywhere and there is no
point denying, goes with us to the bathroom too! Although they are the manna
from heaven that they are, I have seen myself pick it up to see the time and
get distracted by a mail or a text instead. Keep an actual clock at places you
stop at while getting ready. Like the bathroom, the kitchen, the place you pack
your bag and the place you put on your shoes!
Replace “No Breakfast” With “Smart breakfast”!
Sure pancakes with bacon on the side or
dosas are signs of a happy morning but really not what you should get down to
making when in a rush. Instead opt for breakfasts that are quicker to make and
eat! Cereals are a good choice as even though they do contain added sugar that
we should avoid, it does get you some milk. Sandwiches made the night before
and kept in the fridge also is a good idea.
But if you want something fancier to get
you out of the bed you could try a parfait! These layers of yogurt, granola and
fruits have it all, can be made the day before, tastes great to wake you up and
of course, can be taken with you in case you are late!
Breakfast On The Go
My super hack? Smoothies. I used to have
these really early morning classes at one time and I could never wake up in
time to sit down and eat a hearty breakfast. I realized I needed a breakfast I
can take with me and eat during my travel to my classes and it had to be
healthy, filling and nutritious. Smoothies solved my problems once and for all.
I used to make them and put them in travel mugs and keep them in the fridge the
night before and took it with me the next morning! It is not awkward sipping
from a cup in the bus or while walking and it didn’t have to be me stuffing
food down my throat in the rush! There are hundreds of smoothie recipe’s
available and can include nutrition from fruits, vegetables, yogurts and the
list is endless.
Use Travel Time Wisely
We all spend a good chunk of time travelling
but there is no need to whine about it when you can do something productive
with it! The trick is to plan ahead and use this time wisely. These are my
ideas:
·
Check emails: Saves time from my morning at home
routine and helps clear any email backlog for a fresh start at the office
·
Check social media: It is a good time to know
what everyone has been up to and maybe post a positive vibe.
·
Brush through the news: Newspapers or blogsites
on my phone, either way it is good time to keep myself updated.
·
Catch up
with family and friends: Sure it is a busy time, but it is a great time to text
an old friend or say good morning to my mum.
·
Walk: If your workplace is not too far, this can
be a great way to get some fresh air and incorporate some early morning workout!
Walking to your workplace is ecofriendly, healthy and fun. Who knows what
hilarious activity you get to notice today!
·
Do nothing! That’s right, in this day and age we
are always staring at our phones and laptops or running after deadlines. This
short commute time is a great way to look around, at the different people on
the bus, the sidewalks and maybe spot a new restaurant at a corner. Enjoy the
nature, enjoy life all around you.
Prioritize
So I told you some real fancy tips above,
but you have to know what works for you and prioritize what is crucial to you.
Like I said, when I had the early morning Tuesday classes, I had to often
sacrifice the sunlight pleasure to make it on time. In my head I have
prioritized all of my steps to getting ready and I know from practice how long
each takes. So I customize according to the need of the day, the schedule I
have for the day or just surprise sleep ins.
Follow these easy-peasy hacks to get more
out of your morning and let us know what gets you going for a bright day ahead!
