Rise and Shine!
Unlike Beyoncé, not all of us can wake up looking THAT flawless. But, what we can do is wake up ready to take on the new day with a positive mindset. You can choose to continue to dream or wake up and chase them! Thank you Beyoncé and thank you Thread Tank for my shirt that motivates me to leave my bed :)
According to anyone I’ve ever lived with, I may not be the happiest person right when my
alarm clock starts ringing. I tend to make weird noises when I’m first waking up along with loud stretching . Anyone else? No, probably just me.
What we probably can agree on is that it’s not the getting to bed that’s the hard part, but the waking up in the morning that is the real challenge.
I love sleeping and can fall asleep almost anytime I want…but I always find it EXTREMELY difficult crawling out of my comfy bed early in the morning. Do you feel my pain?
Once I finally get out of bed, I make the most of EVERY single day. I have found ways to make my mornings brighter and happier! I'm all about planning and sticking to a routine. I have finally found a routine that works for me after my move to LA and I want to share it with you. I work a 9-6 job (hopefully not forever) so my current schedule caters for those who also work those times! :)
10 p.m. Bed Avoid screen time and a big meal right before bed. It may seem harmless to finish a text to your best friend or surf something on the internet, but by keeping your mind active it can trick your brain into staying alert and awake. I try to get in my bed around 9:30/10 p.m. because I like to get a full 8 hours of sleep. I prefer to workout in the morning when I have the most energy, so I need my rest. You should aim to get 6-8 hours of sleep a night…but everyone’s body is different. I need a lot of sleep to function because I am constantly moving and staying active. The only time you won’t see me trying for 7-8 hours of sleep is when I’m on vacation or there are better plans that I can’t miss out on! (I promise I will sacrifice my sleep if I have to)
10 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sleep Just like I mentioned earlier- you should aim for 7-8 hours a night. Test out how you sleep best. Some people prefer a little background noise such as the t.v. or a fan. I personally like to sleep in complete silence. Always set an alarm clock, even if you are off work that day. It will prepare you for the next day and make sure you don't waste away the day sleeping! I like set it 15 minutes before I actually have to get out of bed. It gives you time to relax and not feel rushed starting your day. I also need time to go through my phone/emails and actually allow myself to wake up before I get out of bed. BUT...if you tend to want to hit snooze...then you should get up right when that alarm goes off!
6:00 a.m. Get out of bed The first thing I like to do after I get out of bed is stretch, open my window, and use the bathroom.
6:05 a.m. Water Drinking water when you wake up will replenish your body and get your metabolism started for the day. I splash water on my face too to help me wake up.
6:15 a.m. Get Ready
Bathroom, hair, get dressed!
6:25 a.m. Pack Lunch
I pack my lunch most days, because I work in Beverly Hills and I try to save money.
6:35 a.m. Gym Time Even though I don’t like waking up in the morning, I LOVE a morning workout once I actually get myself to the gym. A workout in the morning is the best way to start because it leaves you energized and happy for the rest of the day. After a long work day, I have much less energy and desire to get myself to the gym. I do like to switch it up and go to the gym once or twice at night, if I am doing a specific group class.
8:15 a.m. Shower A shower in the morning helps wake you up and leaves you clean. When you live in L.A. with bad traffic for short distances…many of us shower and get ready at the gym. I always pick out my outfit the night before to save me time in the morning. I pride myself in being able to get ready very fast. This allows me extra sleep and time at the gym. If your hair takes long or you spend a lot of time on your makeup…you may need to adjust your schedule a bit, because I get ready very quick.
8:45 a.m. Drive to Work Again, everything in LA takes awhile to get to. I go to a gym right by my work on the way from my apartment. I listen to 102.7 on my way to work every morning and my own music during the commercials. Ryan Seacrest and good music always puts me in a great mood to start the work day.
8:45/9 a.m. Breakfast on the go or at work
I can’t empathize enough how important it is to eat breakfast and to make it healthy! Breakfast starts your metabolism for the day and keeps your energy levels up. I always eat a quick smoothie or banana before the gym for energy and then eat breakfast when I get to work. I make an egg on toast to reheat at work or oatmeal.
9 a.m. Make A To-Do List & One Goal
Prioritizing what you need to get done for the day can actually cause you less stress. I love writing out what I need to get done that day and what I will do during my lunch break. You will be more productive if you know what tasks you need to complete. I also write sticky notes for things I need to get done work related. Make ONE small step/goal you can accomplish for the day that gets you closer to your ultimate dream.
12 p.m. Take Advantage Of Your Lunch Break
While I am stuck working a 9-6...I constantly feel like I have limited time for things outside of work. I keep my sanity by making sure I take my full hour lunch break and get something else done. Some things I do include: going for a walk around Downtown BH, going to the grocery store, eating lunch outside in the courtyard, meeting a friend for lunch, running a shopping errand, working on my personal blog somewhere outside, or catching up with friends from home on the phone. The point is I make sure I am productive and active with the time I get away from the office! Also, leaving the office will make you feel refreshed to return back to work, I rarely EVER eat at my desk.
It took me many tries to find my perfect morning routine for me. You will have to play around with the timing and what works specifically for you. I love having a set schedule because it helps me get everything done I need to each day. Consistency is key! If you’re happy and relaxed when you wake up... chances are you will stay in that mood for the rest of the day!
What is your morning routine like? Leave a comment if you have other ways to help me leave my bed easier.
Happy sleeping…It's time to wake up, flawlessly gorgeous.
Thanks to Thread Tank for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.
