Before you grab your breakfast from Lean Kitchen, here are some things to keep in mind to start your morning off right. There are many reasons why mornings can be stressful, so hopefully this list helps with how to wake up on the right side of the bed.
Let’s get into it!
1. Get to Sleep Earlier (No Seriously, Do It)
This one may seem obvious, but most people don’t get an adequate amount of sleep each night. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 7 to 8 hours of quality shut eye each night. We know Netflix and TikTok can be tempting, but it’s not worth it if you feel groggy and agitated the following day.
Create a bedtime ritual that has less screen time and more peaceful time. This could be reading a book, listening to calming music, or sipping on some warm tea while journaling.
Try and avoid your phone and social media at least an hour before you’re ready to fall asleep. It will be a bit of a challenge when you first start this, but once it becomes a habit – you’ll be so glad you started it! You’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
2. Know your Science
Did you know that what’s considered the stress hormone is what wakes you up in the morning? That’s right.Cortisol rushes through your body as a way to get you out of bed. This is all well and good, but it also means you’ll feel a bit more anxious when you first open your eyes.
If you keep this in mind, it’s best to avoid caffeine for the first 30 to 45 minutes you’re up. We hate to be the bearer of this news, but caffeine is also known to elevate cortisol levels. Considering you already have plenty of this hormone in your system, you want to wait before you add more. Otherwise, you could turn out to be an anxious mess!
3. Avoid Scrolling at all Costs
Similar to avoiding your phone at night, you want to try and limit your screen time when you first get out of bed. Endless social media scrolling is known to release a chemical in your body called dopamine – which in moderation is healthy, but too much of it can be damaging to your mental health.
If you start your day with getting instant dopamine through swiping on your phone, you’re essentially wiring your brain to crave that rush throughout the day. This could leave you feeling restless and uneasy. Instead, opt for healthy doses of dopamine like enjoying listening to the birds, journaling, or eating breakfast and reading a book!
4. Positive Affirmations
Once you know that the stress hormone, cortisol, is coursing through your body at elevated levels once you get up – realize there are ways to somewhat combat it. Positive affirmations are a great way to destress and get your mind away from the worries about the day to come or the day that has passed.
You can find pre-recorded positive affirmations on streaming sites like Spotify and turn a 10-minute episode on before you even get out of bed. This way, instead of your mind being bombarded with what could go wrong with the day – its focus is on all the positives in your life.
Article Submitted By Community Writer