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FSU | Wellness

A Morning Routine You Can Actually Stick To

Brenda Penaloza Student Contributor, Florida State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Having intentional mornings is easier said than done. We’ve all shared the universal experience of struggling to begin the day: from the several missed alarms to missing car keys, leaving you disheveled, unorganized, and questioning whether anyone would notice your mismatched socks you rushed out of the house wearing. Instead, let’s acknowledge that these hectic mornings are avoidable and aim higher with a morning routine that’s easier to adapt to and leaves you feeling prepared for the day you deserve.

Before you mistake me advising you to jump out of bed and run straight into the bathroom to begin getting ready, let me explain. Relax. The goal of a realistic morning routine is to acknowledge the human side of life. We don’t always wake up feeling ready to face the day, especially when staying in bed seems much simpler. So, let’s slow things down and go step-by-step.

Step 1: Stay off your phone

In our modern day, where it feels we only exist online for others to witness, I understand the habit of checking your device instantly. Yet, let’s fight the urge together and allow our brains to naturally wake up. Whether that’s taking some deep breaths, practicing mindfulness, or hydrating your body, take it easy on yourself. After all, this is rewarding later in the day as you’re granting yourself peace by ignoring stressors that social media or emails bring up. Try embracing the slow start to your day, away from a screen that’s meant to speed up the world around you.

Step 2: Listen to something that brings you joy

I’ve found that a missing component within many morning routines was entertainment. No, I don’t mean watching the water flow as you sleepily brush your teeth. Instead, find something that stimulates your brain, although it doesn’t necessarily require full attention.

Dear reader, I present a podcast! While any source of audio suffices, whether that’s an audiobook or your favorite music artist, I will say that podcasts are top-tier. They can set the tone for experiencing a positive day and even offer inspiration. They also allow you to multitask in a way where you’re still absorbing new information, helping you step into a direction of stress-free and mindful morning routines.

My personal favorite is The Broski Report starring the infamous Brittany Broski, who discusses diverse topics ranging from stories of her own to the news, deep dives on pop culture, latest obsessions, and many more, allowing you to feel as if you were on a FaceTime call. I highly recommend!

Step 3: Fuel your body

@fitfoodieselma

5-ingredient Healthy Strawberry Smoothie😍 about 25g protein per serving & no protein powder! This smoothie is super creamy and yummy😋 A great breakfast or snack idea! • More recipes in my Ebooks which have 180 healthy & easy recipes, link in my profile🥰 • Ingredients for two servings: 2 cups frozen strawberries (320 g) 1 frozen banana 1 1/2 cups high-protein Greek yogurt, the yogurt I use contains 13g protein per 100g (360 ml / 375g) 1/2 cup milk of choice (120 ml) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1. Add all the ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth • • • #healthysmoothie #smoothierecipe #easybreakfast #easybreakfastideas #highproteinbreakfast

♬ Gioventu’ di notte – Seq. 4 – Piero Piccioni

Now I understand many of you hold busy morning routines where it simply can be difficult to find the time to fuel our bodies properly. However, there are plenty of quick and easy meals to still get you through the start of your busy day.

For my girls who prefer to eat on the go, consider granola bars filled with protein. For those who can spare 5-10 minutes, I recommend smoothies; blend fresh or frozen fruit, some Greek yogurt, and milk. To me, this is perfection. Alternatively, for my readers who prefer something savory, you can never go wrong with avocado toast, paired with some banana slices or even hard-boiled eggs for a little protein boost.

Whatever your heart speaks to you about, something is better than nothing! As well as ensuring a fueled body and brain, breakfast allows you to feel alert like never before.

Now it’s time for you to head out the door. You look great, and hopefully, after this curated morning routine, you feel great! It’s important to break down your routine to ensure you’re doing all you can to look after yourself. Whether that’s rewarding yourself with slow time to self-reflect, enjoying the simple pleasures of a good podcast, or fueling your body with the right nutrition to power your day properly, a little intention goes a long way. Your mornings deserve nothing less!

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Brenda Penaloza is a first-generation college student from Jacksonville, Florida. She’s currently a junior at Florida State University majoring in Multimedia Communications with a minor in Political Science. With aspirations of breaking into the reporting scene after graduation, she has a love for storytelling and building connections within her community. When she’s not chatting away to just about anyone who’ll listen, you can usually find her wandering through record stores, sipping her third cup of coffee, or marching with the Chiefs. Go Noles! Keep up with her side quest on Instagram at @alorsbrenn.