The Best Morning Routine for a Stress-Free Day ...

Admit it. You probably hit your snooze button a bit too generously during the work week.

It’s okay. We’ve all done it - and understandably. When you’re tired, you’re tired, and some mornings you need the extra sleep.

At the same time, the first thing you do in the morning can set the tone for the entire day. You’re not doing your mindset any favors by staying in bed until the last minute. Being in a rush first thing in the morning is going to lead to stress, and it will carry over into the rest of the day.

With that said, a morning routine for a stress-free day means setting an earlier wake-up time. Especially if you’re someone who is always rushing in the morning.

Don’t just set an alarm 1-2 hours before you have to leave the house. Change things up a bit.

For starters, you should change the alarm or ringtone you wake up to. Make sure it’s something pleasant and not something that’s going to make you want to throw yourself back into the dream world.

Try keeping your phone away from your bed or nightstand. Not only will this force you to have to get up when your alarm goes off. It will also prevent late-night distractions, which means more sleep for you!

Waking up earlier is easier when you set a small goal for yourself every morning. Make that goal something that will get your blood pumping.

There’s simply no better time to work out than in the morning. It’s not only great for your metabolism. It can set your focus for the entire day and put you in a better mood (hello, endorphins).

But we get it. Not all of us are ambitious gym-goers, let alone morning people. But there are some easy going activities you can do that will get your blood flowing and kickstart your morning routine for a stress-free day.

Lay out your yoga mat the night before to prep for some morning stretching. Aim to get in at least 15 minutes of stretching, or squats and crunches. This is the perfect amount of time to work up a bit of a sweat. Plus, it will motivate you to fulfill an amped up workout later in the day.

There’s also nothing better than getting some fresh air first thing in the morning. If you have a dog, bring him or her out for a quick walk around the neighborhood. They’ll love it! Even if you don’t have a dog, a quick morning stroll will definitely wake your brain up.

Not in the mood to move? Hit the shower as soon as you roll out of bed. If you’re feeling congested or have stiff muscles, have a hot shower. Try a cold shower on mornings when you’re feeling extra groggy. Either way, you’ll get the blood flowing for higher mental alertness.

We’ve all heard that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” After all, we need a bit of fuel in the morning to energize us and prevent binges later on in the day.

Every morning routine for a stress-free day needs the right kind of fuel. And processed, refined carbohydrates are a big N-O. They’re high in sugar, which might be good for a temporary energy boost. But this isn’t good for someone with high levels of stress and anxiety. Not to mention, that temporary boost in energy will quickly fade and lead to mental crashes later on.

Make your breakfast all about protein. Try Greek yogurt with some fruit or mixing in some soymilk with a protein smoothie. Eggs are always a great go-to breakfast. But if you don’t like cooking first thing in the morning, make up some hard boiled eggs the night before. Avoid bagels, muffins, and cereal bars.

Then, there’s the situation with coffee. Most of us have a hard time functioning without caffeine, which makes most of us coffee drinkers. But did you know that there’s actual meaning behind the so-called “caffeine jitters”?

coffee disrupts the levels of serotonin in our brains, which can make anxiety worse. Plus, it keeps you awake, which can stress you out when you’re trying to relax and fall asleep.

Instead of coffee, brew up some green tea. The caffeine and tannin in green tea not only fight off fatigue but improve blood circulation and immunity.

A lot of us don’t have much free time in the evenings. That leaves us with mornings to catch up on emails and social media.

But all that time you spend on your phone or laptop in the morning can actually stress you out more than you think. Instead of trying to play catch-up in the morning, tune into yourself and focus on relieving some of your stress and anxiety.

There are many different methods of overcoming stress for women. Instead of spending time on your phone in the morning, you can practice meditation or deep breathing exercises, for example. You can also take the time to write down your thoughts and about your stressors.

You dedicate your entire day to working and taking care of your responsibilities. That doesn’t leave much time for self-love and care. Start your day off on the right foot by making your morning routine for a stress-free day more about you.