It’s a new semester and you ought to start it off right. So, put a little jump in your step this year by taking the time to get up a few minutes earlier then you’re used to. The theory holds that you can do a lot in ten minutes. So, besides the necessities, here are a few things that crawling out of bed early can do to make you stand out from the rest, and whoever else may be watching.
1. Boost your energy: The longer you’ve been awake the more time you have to get your brain and body up and moving again. For some reason, when the alarm goes off in the morning you end up in the most comfortable position out of the entire night. However, scooting your way out of bed is possible and you need to tell yourself that. Having the mindset that you’re going to wait until the snooze alarm goes off again will only lead to more of the same thing; so you have to mentally motivate yourself and pretend that staying in bed is not an option. Trust me, if you could wake up at 6 a.m. for school when you were 8 years old, then you can do it again, and giving yourself that little bit of extra time will make all the difference.
2. Eat:
How many girls can say that they’ve ever put beauty before food in the morning? Eating breakfast is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially to help kick start your day. Try stocking up on some easy and quick foods that you can eat on the go and during that extra time. Look for items like granola/cereal bars, yogurt, oatmeal, a smoothie or shake, and of course, fruit. Your mom will never have been so proud.
3. Stretch: There’s nothing like a brisk walk to class when half way there your calves start to feel sore already. We all want to stretch when we wake up, and perhaps we do in our own little cat-like way before we exit our bed, but why not try stretching the way you do before a work out? Loosening up your muscles bright and early will be just the thing you need to help get you up and moving when you don’t want to. It will also make it easier to work out later in the day and keep cramps and soreness to a minimum even when you’re exercising more than usual. Of course, what really matters is that it might even help you walk faster on your way to class… two points for passing people on the sidewalk.
4. Remember what you need to remember: How many times have you been rushing to class just to get there and realize that you forgot your book when you really needed it that day? Or that you were planning on going to the gym afterwards and then forgot your headphones? Maybe you even just forgot to grab a bottle of water to keep up you hydrated during the day. Either way, setting aside a few moments in the morning to get yourself together, with time to actually pause and think, will significantly help you out as the day goes on.
5. Talk… and laugh:
We’re all social people; we love our friends and when we run into them the first thing we want to do is have a quick conversation–but we can’t if we’re seriously running late. Making time for a conversation in the morning will not only help wake you up, it’ll help you feel more optimistic and get you ready for your day ahead. Honestly, think back to last Saturday morning and how laughter and stories filled your apartment. It’s time to make that every morning because that laughter is sure to be the ultimate pick-me-up on any day of the week. So even if it’s just the cleaning lady saying hello when she passes you in the hallway, that interaction with other people is what keeps us all going. Nobody wants to be the person to say “Hey! *insert grunt of choice* I’m running late, we’ll talk later!” So, don’t let yourself be that that person, particularly if the person you’re skipping a conversation with is tall, handsome, and helps you with your chemistry homework. Speaking of which…
6. Help somebody: Whether you’re throwing some trash away, grabbing an extra coffee for a friend, or simply holding open a door, chances are someone somewhere could use a little help. During the morning your mind is clearer and full of energy, so take pride in being a good samaritan and use that time to think about something helpful you could do later in the day. Engaging in activities for others not only boosts your own confidence, but gives you a little extra kick in your step whether you meant for it to or not.
7. Appreciate: Take a few moments to think about all the good things in your life and how lucky you are to have them. There are so many people in the world who wake up selfish and go to bed in the same manner, while a number of people don’t even have the option to do so. Even if you are currently upset, angered, annoyed, or stressed about something, take a minute to calmly breathe and just reflect on all the other things that make you happy, and how lucky your life is because of that. By starting the day with a grateful state of mind your happiness is sure to spread to others.
8. Learn a new word: Word-of-the-day calendars are arguably one of the best things to invest in and let’s be real, just flat out fun. Whether the words are in English or a foreign language, exposing yourself to something new and then trying to incorporate it into your life that day will add up smart points faster than you can say “precocious!” Plus, stumping your friends—and better yet your mom—is as rewarding as it gets.
9. Write in your journal/ read yesterdays: Getting your emotions out on paper is a very therapeutic way to start your day, especially if a lot was on your mind the night before. Reading over how you began your morning the day before also puts a new perspective on how you handled your life and in what ways you have changed since then. However, we know it’s not for everyone. If you don’t like to write, then maybe take that time to just reflect or read about current events instead. Being aware of the world around you, either personally or politically, is a great way to help you make the right decisions throughout the rest of the day.
10. Make your final touches:
Ladies, how many times do we roll out of bed hoping to look amazing like in the movies but for some reason it’s not what we expected. But remember while making final touches you shouldn’t spruce yourself up for anyone else, do it to boost your own mood. We’re all gorgeous—now get your butt out of bed and help yourself out a little to make sure the whole wide world knows it.