We can all acknowledge the fact that sometimes getting out of bed in the morning can be hard — like, really hard. Waking up and starting off the day on a positive note can be difficult for anyone, let alone stressed-out college students who likely are not getting enough sleep. Because of this, in my junior year of college, I made it a priority to create a morning routine that would help me start my days off on a positive note, and this routine has actually really helped me. So, I’ve decided to share some of these strategies with you beautiful people.
MAKE YOUR BED
Making your bed is something that may seem insignificant to some people, but, in my experience, it makes such a big difference in my mental state when starting off the day. Having a dad who is quite the neat freak from being in the military, making my bed has pretty much always been a part of my morning routine. It’s something that may seem small, but it helps me start off the day feeling organized, focused, and like I accomplished the first little thing on my to-do list. There’s also research to support several benefits that making your bed can have on your mental health, so taking the extra minute or two to tidy up your bed can make a world of difference!
POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS/PRAYERS
Saying positive affirmations or prayers is something that I started to incorporate into my morning routine, and I’ve seen really good results. When you wake up and aren’t in the best mood, actively choosing to think positive thoughts and express gratitude can almost immediately change your mood. If you’re religious, starting your day off with a prayer can put you in a good head space to take on the day’s challenges. If you’re someone who isn’t religious, saying positive affirmations that you find encouraging and motivating is a really great way to improve your mood in the morning.
HAVE A VISION BOARD
Having a personalized vision board that you can look at is a really great way to gain a sense of purpose and motivation in the morning. Feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated when waking up is a common occurrence for many people. Many of us get stuck in the grind of school/work life, and it can be hard to remember that we’re actively working toward a goal. Each day that we get up and work hard is a day that we’re closer to achieving the life that we dream of. Looking at a vision board in the morning can help you feel a greater sense of purpose and can remind you that every day, you’re one step closer to achieving your goals.
TAKE THE TIME TO PRIORITIZE YOUR APPEARANCE
I know this may sound a bit superficial, but, I promise you, it makes a difference. Prioritize your appearance. At the end of the day, when you look good, you feel good. When I say look good, I’m not talking about jumping through hoops to look good according to society’s standards. This is all about you. Your style. Your preferences. Do your makeup, style your hair, and dress in a way that makes you feel happy and confident, because feeling good about yourself will allow you to start off your day on the right note.
LEAVE ON TIME
Leave the house on time. I’m not going to lie, I have trouble with this sometimes myself (I promise I’m trying to be better), but leaving your house on time will allow you to feel organized and less rushed in the morning. When you leave the house late, you can tend to be anxious and stressed out, so setting your alarm clock for a few minutes earlier before you normally wake up or cutting down on the time it takes you to get ready can put you on track to having a better start to your day.
These strategies have allowed me to start my days off on a better note and not feel so overwhelmed, so if you’re looking to implement some changes into your morning routine to better your mornings, definitely consider trying out these tips!