Seven tips for easing gently into your mornings

I am certain, somewhere, there are people who like mornings.  This article is not for them.

This article is for the people who struggle in the mornings.  It is for the people who, no matter how well they seem to budget their time, cannot make it out the door on schedule.

If you often find that you spend a good portion of your morning searching for your keys, your breakfast, or the pair of clean socks that you set down “just a moment ago,” this is for you.

If you’ve ever driven away with your morning coffee riding solo on the top of your car, this is for you.

If you find yourself feeling like you need to go lie down for a few minutes after launching your partner and/or your children into their days, this is for you.

It turns out that mom and dad were right about some things.  Like brushing your teeth and eating dinner before dessert, many of the good habits that your parents may have encouraged in you are time-honored traditions that are there for a reason.  In most cases, they require some forethought and planning, or spending some moments delaying instant gratification for the good that is yet to come.

So, many of these tips will not be new ideas but helpful reminders of useful things you’ve heard before.  I invite you to pick and choose from the options listed below.  Or, craft your own—there is no one-size-fits-all “good morning.”  Consider what ingredients you need for a successful launch into your day.

1.)    Gentle awakening.  The sudden scream of an alarm clock is a less-than-ideal mode of awakening for many of us.  If you’d prefer a gentler alternative, there are gadgets that can help with this.  There are clocks that mimic sunrise that gradually increase the light in a room, or scent diffusers and chimes that pull you from sleep in gentle increments.

2.)    Get enough sleep.  If you and your snooze button are good friends, that’s a sign that you probably have some not-so-great sleep habits.  Are you getting enough hours of rest?  Do you have a reasonably stable bedtime?  If you’re ready to cultivate some good sleep habits, take a look at these.

3.)    Eat breakfast.  It might take only five or ten minutes, but you will sure be glad that you did.  After all, there’s nothing more embarrassing than having your tummy announce itself with a growl in the middle of a morning meeting.  If you don’t have much of a morning appetite, wake up a bit earlier to give your body time to adjust, or stock your pantry with some good to-go breakfast options.

4.)    Settle some sundries.  If your brain takes a while to warm up, why not do the “heavy lifting” ahead of time?  Set our your clothes, pack your briefcase or backpack, prep your lunch, or tidy the kitchen the night before. I know one family who always prepared morning oatmeal for their daughter.  They would measure out the water into the sauce pan the night before and leave it resting on the stove.  In the morning, they’d cruise into the kitchen, turn on the heat, and attend to another task while waiting for the water to boil.  Their morning was peppered with these little preparatory gestures that helped ease their routine.

5.)    Spare five still minutes.  If you can take a few minutes in the morning to yourself without first rushing around to accomplish various tasks, you’ll find that you feel calmer, more centered, and less inclined to leave your coffee on top of your car as you drive away for work.  Just five minutes while you sit and enjoy your coffee can make a big difference.

6.)    Consider the consequences.  If you run late to a meeting, what’s the worst thing that could happen?  In most if not all cases, the results will not be catastrophic.  It may help to, in your mind’s eye, “pan out” as if you were holding a camera while filming your own life.  Broaden the scope of your perspective for a moment: step back and consider the town you live in, the country, the planet.  By the time you’re out by the rings of Saturn, your morning meeting doesn’t seem so important anymore, does it?  This can help if you’re stuck in a situation (i.e., bad traffic, flat tire) that no amount of high blood pressure or road rage will change.

7.)    Breathe.  Even if things don’t go your way this time, you’ll have another chance at a great morning in approximately 24 hours.  Make a note of what throws you off and what makes for a successful launch, and try some simple edits next go round.

Try something for a week before deciding what works—preferably longer, if you can.  Good habits take a while to cultivate, and the benefits are not always readily apparent after a day or two.