10 Things May I Do at Night So I Have a Smooth, Stress-free Morning
Posted on May 25, 2018 by Kali Patrick, One of Thousands of Health and Fitness Coaches on Noomii.
Being organized for a busy day can greatly reduce stress. Here are some ideas of things you can do when you know your upcoming schedule will be tight.
I have always been an organized sort of person. Being organized, I find, reduces my stress by at about 70%. I know that not everyone has the “organizing gene”, so today I’ll share with you some of the things I do at night so I have a smooth morning and (next) day.
Note: Now you might consider me a little crazy, but I’d say try one or two of these things, or your own, and see how they affect your stress level. With a little consideration and some prep (many of these things you have to do anyway, right?), I’m sure you’ll come up with a few reasonable ways you can make your mornings feel less harried!
In the bedroom . . .
1. Pick out clothes you’re going to wear — this includes shoes and any accessories such as bags, jewelry, and jacket (if necessary). This is one less decision to make in the morning!
2. Stop using any screens at least an hour before bed. It’s good to have a paper and pen on the nightstand though, in case you have thoughts your mind is trying to hold on to — things like to do’s you’d forgotten about until your brain settled a bit. If you don’t write them down, your mind will be busy, and that doesn’t help you get to sleep. You can always digitize the thoughts later, when you choose to look at the screen.
In the kitchen . . .
3. Decide what you’re going to have for breakfast, based on what’s in the fridge and how long your food needs to sustain you. For example: if I know I’m going to be out and about and relying on a protein bar mid-morning to hold me over until lunch, I make sure I have a high-protein breakfast, such as eggs and bacon. You may set out something that reminds you what you planned on having, such as a pan or a plate.
4. Prep the coffee maker: many times you can set a timer so that when you’re ready for that first cup it will already be available. There’s nothing like the smell of fresh coffee made — without any effort — in the morning! I love my coffee.
5. If you know you’re going to be running around up until lunch, have something available to eat (without a lot of cooking fuss) when you get home, or a plan for where to eat lunch that’s healthy. Usually this means there’s a plate of leftovers from dinner in the fridge with my name on it. Sometimes it means a lunch date at a gluten-free friendly restaurant with a friend.
In the office . . .
6. Calculate how much time you need in the morning. For me everything is about a half hour: my yoga practice is 30 minutes, getting ready takes 30 minutes, breakfast is 30 minutes. If I make a little extra “me time” in the morning, add 15–30 minutes. This means that I set my alarm to wake me up exactly at the time I need to; in the morning I don’t have to second guess (or do math about) whether I can snooze and still do what I wanted.
7. If you’re leaving the house for work, pack your bag and set it near the door. Check the weather so you have an umbrella or sunglasses handy . If you’re taking public transit, have what you need to board; if you’re taking a car, put your keys there.
8. If you have to drive, take a bus, or otherwise commute, know exactly where you have to be, and how you will get there. I use Google maps, check bus routes, and more importantly, view being early as an opportunity. I might pack a book or a podcast I’ve been wanting to listen to in my bag.
9. Make sure there is SOME space in your day’s schedule. I find I work best in two hour blocks, and then no matter what I’m doing, I need to switch tasks. It might be computer work vs. movement, social vs. alone time, whatever. But I get cranky and less fun to be around if I fail to follow this advice! It is always possible to make this space (hint: it’s about setting good boundaries).
Wherever . . .
10. Straighten up whatever area you’re going to encounter first thing in the morning. Maybe that means the kitchen sink is clean and free of dishes. Maybe it’s making your desk neat and tidy so when you set out to work, you’re not distracted by clutter.
I certainly don’t ALWAYS do these things. But the busier I know my day is going to be, the more likely I am to do them the night before. Why? Because even if I do just a few of them, I leave my house or set out to work feeling more calm, more centered, and more ready to face whatever happens (that I couldn’t have prepared for)!
What are your tips for making your mornings (and days) run more smoothly? Let me know!
