WHAT IS A TYPICAL WEEKDAY morning like in your home? Do you often sleep a bit too long after the alarm goes off, giving yourself a late start to the day?
Running late translates to rushing to get the household up, fed, washed, and dressed; lunches slapped together; maybe a brief family prayer said; and then hurrying everyone—including yourself—out the door on time so the kids can get to school and the adults to work on time. Throw into the mix a pair of lost shoes, someone who dislikes what’s for breakfast, the dog throwing up on the carpet, a car that won’t start, and (whew)
you leave the house exhausted, stressed, and hungry because you had no time for breakfast yourself. Oh well. There are always donuts in the break room at work.
A CALM MORNING IS POSSIBLE
The secret to saving yourself stress and chaos in the morning is doing some prep work the night before. To make sure nothing gets forgotten, make a list of evening and morning tasks to stick on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, or some other visible location as a reminder. Evening tasks can include:
• Laying out the next day’s clothes,
• Packing up kids’ backpacks and adult work materials,
• Putting packed lunches together, and
• Getting a start on breakfast prep.
But there is so much more to making a good morning happen.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Wake up unalarmed. First, avoid late nights as much as possible. Getting enough sleep will go a long way toward decreasing tiredness and potential irritability in the morning. Taking care of yourself equips you mentally and physically to take good care of others.
Spend time with God. Set your alarm for 20–30 minutes early to give yourself a chance to greet the Lord, thank Him for His watch care over you through the night, and offer Him your heart and life for the day. Read some of His promises or a devotional passage for encouragement and strength. Then hum or sing a favorite hymn. You will be blessed with calmness and clarity of perspective as you cope with the day’s challenges.
Resist checking your phone. Your phone holds a lot of potential stimulation and stressors that can demand your immediate attention. Pick up your phone first thing in the morning and it may derail your whole morning routine. Choose to bask a little longer in that calm, relaxed state you first enjoy upon waking.
Care for your body. Do some simple stretches or get outside for a brisk walk in the fresh air to help activate those feel-good chemicals in your brain. You will feel energized physically and refreshed in attitude and mood.
Wash and brush. Routine skin and teeth care is self-care too. View skin care as a mini pampering session—a special gift you give yourself. Besides regular check-ups and cleanings, daily brushing and flossing are essential to oral and cardiovascular health.
Hydrate yourself. A glass of water upon waking sets you up for a good start physiologically, and it has positive effects on brain function too. Not taking time to drink water first thing can delay drinking anything for hours into a busy day. Plan for regular water breaks and note the benefits of decreased brain fatigue and overall energy lag.
Make your bed. This seems like a small chore—unimportant to many. However, studies indicate that when your space is uncluttered, your mind tends to be less cluttered too. This simple chore also encourages good hygiene habits in other areas of personal care and provides a small sense of pride in completing the first task of the day.
Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast can often be seen as an option for saving time in the rush of morning chaos. The stress and anxiety of trying to get out the door and to work on time is hard on emotions and stamina, especially with the lack of nutritional fuel support. Treat yourself to a relaxed, healthy morning meal every day to boost focus and mood. Fill your plate with colorful fruit, whole grain cereal or bread, and a protein food. You’ll be less likely to need a sugary snack mid-morning.
Practice thankfulness. We all have stress and worries. Work, church responsibilities, concerns over family or friends, anxiety about the future, or sadness over past incidents can pull our moods downward. When that happens, take these emotions to the Lord and lay them at His feet. Ask Him to show you some blessing in each problem. Then take a few minutes to thank Him. Doing this will put a positive spin on your perspective and boost your faith. Practice gratitude during the day. Sharing feelings of thankful joy with family, friends, and others at every opportunity can support good mental health.
Check your to-do list. Does your day include appointments, important tasks, and errands? Take a few minutes to review your calendar and refresh your memory to ensure nothing important gets overlooked.
Prayers and hugs. If you have a family, plan for a few minutes to read an inspired story together and pray, giving every member into God’s care for the day. End with a short song and a loving hug to each one as you separate for the day. Assurance of God’s presence and family love gives peace, comfort, and a sense of security to children and adults alike as they exit the home to face the world.
Try music to melt away stress. Does your family need morning calm? Do you drive a distance to work or negotiate heavy traffic? Listen to God’s gift of relaxing and inspiring music to sooth tension and encourage a peaceful attitude.
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RESOURCES:
https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/morning-hacksease-stress?
https://bemorewithless.com/simplify-your-mornings/
https://www.self.com/story/morning-routine-habits
