Ah, Monday morning. Here you are again. Do I greet you with a jolt or snuggle back into my bed? My bed is warm and cozy. No wonder I'm often guilty of snuggling back into it after silencing the alarm. Suddenly, three snooze buttons' worth later, I'm late, dragging through my day. Here are some ways to find some morning energy.
Wake up slowly: Though I've long guilted myself that I should be greeting the day with a hearty round of jumping jacks (thanks to my mornng-person Gramma), stretching, combined with a bit of meditation, may be a better way to ease myself into the day.
Sniff citrus: The association of mornings with orange juice may not be accidental. The perky scent revs your engines.
Start up the ITunes: Swap out gentle classical for dance beats to start your morning with a burst of energy.
Exercise: Whatever your movement of choice, a little body workout gets your blood pumping.
For more tips on getting your morning racing, check out Green Earth News' Natural Ways to Energize Your Morning.
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I don't know about Monday mornings (jury still out) but I LOVE the bedspread in the picture. Where to purchase / how to make?
I agree with all of the suggestions. My best mornings are always the ones where I turn on some music. I'm trying very hard to make sure I'm not a morning coffee person for as long as possible. Relying on coffee to get going means I have one more thing to do in the mornings (brew the coffee), so my goal has been to go coffee free. I save my coffee intake for an excuse to meet up with friends on weekends.
I love my coffee ritual in the morning. I set it up the night before and it's programmed to go off when I want it, so I start brewing 7 minutes before my alarm goes off and it's a great excuse for me to get out of bed, grab a hot cup of coffee and begin getting ready. Even in the summer, I love a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
I have a lamp on automatic timer to turn on about 5 mins after my alarm goes off. It's not insanely bright but it helps rouse me a bit more because I like sleeping in the darkest room possible.
i stopped drinking coffee during the week, and now i sleep SO much better and don't need that extra boost in the morning. i often times wake up even before my alarm! ...i used to drink about 3-4 cups a day, and NEVER drank coffee after noon, and it was still affecting my sleep, i just didn't know it! so glad i made the switch. i still drink herbal (naturally decaf) teas in the morning because i like the feeling of a hot mug and drinking a hot liquid, though (sort of like smokers and those fake cigarettes, haha)
i started it from the whole living 28-day challenge detox plan... see here:
http://www.beyondthestoop.com/2012/01/fresh-start.html
Drinking coffee in the morning ensures I will bill tired later. I try not to drink coffee until after lunch...when I need it most.
For morning, music, cold shower, doing some small chores helps wake me up. Funny about the ciris thing, it works! I burn lime essential oil in the morning.
yeah, *be, not bill. Guess what's on my mind?
and *citris...oy
I've found getting at least 8 hours of sleep means it's much easier to wake up. And it's always easier to get out of bed when I know I'm not going to work or doing errands.... in other words, after being rested, being "up" is a pshcological exercise. I like my job -- it's not that I dread going to work -- but my desire to stay in bed is a lot stronger when I must get up, shower, commute, etc.
@ JENPDX: Where did you get a timer for your lamp? What a fabulous idea!
I use a timer, too. It turns off my bedside lamp every night just in case I fall asleep without turning it off myself. Hardware stores, Target, etc. carry timers. I never thought to have my lamp turn on in the morning, too. I need to give it a try.
One thing that always helps to wake me up in the morning is taking my dog for a walk- we take a loop up through the park and back (about 30 minutes) and when we get home, both of us are ready for some breakfast. :)
I agree that morning dog walks wake me up! My dog is sure to be excited about it, so just seeing his excited antics as I'm pulling on my shoes helps me wake up and be excited for the day, too!
I don't like to have to get up and put on makeup. If I can just leave the house and get moving then I wake up easier.
Third on the blanket. Pattern, please?
Cigarette (I know, I know), coffee, CBC Radio news, and then.....some Iron Maiden. :D
Oh also, bath the night before instead of a shower in the morning. I am always cold after a shower (no heated floors in my place, lol), and I will be VERY grumpy if I have to roll out of my warm nest for that.
iTunes or radio definitely work. As long as it is in the other, well lit by the morning sun room and you have to walk over there to turn it off :)
What works for me is having an important meeting/call/activity scheduled early on. Like a work meeting or a 6 am yoga class I have to teach. You'll definitely wake up and be on time if you know at least 10 people are waiting on you!