5 Simple Ways to De-stress Your Morning

As we continue rolling into 2019, our routines can get busy, stressful, and daunting as we tackle all of our New Year's goals. With these 5 simple steps, you can de-stress the most important part of your day and be ready to tackle all of your daily plans efficiently and effectively!

1. Skip the Instagram Check

Like many people, I would hop on my phone and check Instagram the second I woke up but many of us don't realize how strenuous the blue light from our phones can be on our eyes. Blue light can even damage some of our light-sensitive cells and sensitive eyes can only mean one thing: headaches. Instead, give your eyes time to adjust and make your morning coffee or tea first.

2. Take a Hot Shower or Bath

If you're a take-a-shower-at-night type of person, maybe opt for the earlier option. Studies have shown that hot showers & baths can reduce anxiety. Take the time to shower before your breakfast and give your mind that time to fully wake up. You'll come out fresh and energized.

3. Prepare Breakfast the Night Before

With a busy schedule, it can be so easy to skip breakfast and run out the door even though your body needs those nutrients to keep you going! It's no secret that eating breakfast is important so don't skip it. Prepare as much of your breakfast that you can the night before! You can make overnight oats, chia pudding, or sliced fruit all before heading to bed!

4. Plan It Out

When you're busy and not organized, it can become so easy to get stressed over having a million things to do in your mind and no way to organize them without a big headache. While you enjoy your breakfast, coffee, or tea, take the time to check out your daily planner and make a timeline of your day. Knowing what you have to do and how much time you have to do it will let you be the most efficient goal accomplish-er without a major headache and messy schedule.

5. Pump Up with Meditation or Music

For someone like me, the idea of mediating in the morning just sounds like something that seems great but requires too much time BUT with self-help apps like "Shine", you can make the most of your little morning time. With Shine, you can listen to podcast type meditations while getting ready. What could be better than doing your makeup and listening to positive affirmations? Not into podcasts or meditating? Listen to an upbeat playlist while you get ready to pump up your mood instead.