Routines are king when it comes to making progress – just as the likes of Michelle Kegan and Lisa Snowdon – which may have doing a quick Google on ‘How to become a morning person’.
Find that your motivation somewhat flat-lined? We hear you. The ‘groundhog day’ feeling has certainly been getting to a lot of us, and so getting out of bed to workout is probably the last thing you want to do.
Luckily, we’ve teamed up with productivity coach and author of Simple Tips Smart Ideas Erica Wolfe-Murray to help get your mo-jo back and make the most of your morning.
Make time for you
“Little boosts such as a pedicure or writing in a gratitude journal can give you the little boost you need. If your morning normally consists of a grab-and-go breakfast, savour the time for a cup of tea, while you plan other little upsides for the day ahead.”
Let the light in
“Waking up in the dark of winter can be tough, but try opening your curtains to watch the sky transition from dark to dawn to daylight – it’s a magical reveal that happens every single day.
“Allow your mind to enjoy the colours, the clouds, the light.”
Break your morning into chunks
“If you’re working on a big project, waking up early could get you ahead of your schedule, so use the early mornings to take bites out of it.
“Whether working on a laptop in bed, or working in the kitchen, getting up early regularly could make a huge difference.”
Fit in some exercise
“Exercising in the early morning before breakfast does you a power of good. Walking, running, cycling before the world is properly awake can restore your sense of balance.
“It may be cold but that freshness will wake you up, and if it’s drizzling, remind yourself how good damp weather is for your skin. You’ll come back with rosy cheeks and a sense of purpose for the day ahead.”
Score an extra win
“Achieving a additional ‘win’ for the day can really motivate you to get out of bed, so why not decorate and re-arrange a corner of your home?
“If you do just one corner or half a wall at a time, you don’t need to clear the room, you can just do that small space alone. After 5 or 6 early morning sessions you will have done the whole room. Big win!”
Food prep goes a long way
“If you find you’re eating takeaways or ready meals because you’ve little time to cook in the evenings, use your early morning waking to do all the prep for a delicious recipe you’d like to make.
“Peel, measure, weigh, partially cook and cover all the ingredients, so you just have to do the last bits when you get in. It’s both healthier for you and easier on the purse strings.”
Do a random act of kindness
“There’s such a profound mental and emotional upside to giving surprise gifts, so give yourself a boost by doing something unexpected for your partner, family or housemate.
“Giving is as enjoyable as receiving – maybe more so. With time to create a surprise, you can be truly inventive.”
