Morning hacks are a game-changer, especially for someone like me, who values every precious minute of sleep. Let’s be honest, how many of us have hit that snooze button in the vain hope that those extra 10 minutes will somehow revive us? Yep, guilty as charged! With 2024 likely being just as hectic as ever, it's time to make the most of our mornings. By incorporating these morning hacks, you can squeeze out a few more moments of that blissful slumber without sacrificing productivity.
First up on our list is the often underestimated trick of planning your day the night before. This might sound like advice from your overly organized friend, but trust me, it really works. Picture this: you wake up without that frantic rush to figure out what you need to do. Everything is already laid out, from your outfit (thankfully free of any "what was I thinking?!" moments) to your daily tasks. Talk about kicking stress to the curb! You can read more about how to stay organized over your morning coffee.
Secondly, have you ever tried using a natural sunlight alarm clock? It’s like having your own personal sunrise, gently waking you up with increasing light instead of the deafening screech of a traditional alarm. This handy little gadget can make a morning person out of even the most dedicated night owls. You'll wake up feeling refreshed, almost like Snow White if she traded her woodland dwelling for, say, a cozy apartment on the 12th floor.
Then there’s the miracle of automating your morning coffee routine. Imagine strolling into your kitchen to the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee, all ready for you without lifting a finger. A coffee maker with a timer is like having a barista who works on your schedule. Plus, in the long run, it’s a serious game changer for anyone keen on staying budget-friendly by skipping those expensive café trips.
Breakfast on-the-go doesn't mean sacrificing nutrition. Having some pre-prepared healthy smoothies or overnight oats in your fridge can allow you to grab-and-go without any morning hassle. Your future self will absolutely thank you for this one, especially when you consider the joy of an uninterrupted sleep just a tiny bit longer.
Finally, incorporating some morning stretches or light exercise can be surprisingly invigorating. This doesn’t mean you need to commit to a full-blown workout session before breakfast. A few yoga stretches or a quick walk around the block can get your blood flowing and shake off the sleepiness, helping you feel more awake and ready to face the day. Curious about setting up an easy peasy morning workout? Read up on quick, effective exercises.
So there you have it – by adding a few simple morning routines to your life, you can enjoy longer sleep, wake up refreshed, and tackle your day with newfound zest. Rest assured, 2024 is going to be the year you master the art of the extended snooze.
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Sleep masks are amazing for keeping our eyes hidden from the morning light, so using one of these is essential for sleeping longer! They are super cheap to buy and they're especially helpful if your bedroom tends to see the morning light and brightens fairly early!/filters:quality(70)/content/d1/gt/y54vr37b5904d2a0b5e20891457620_500x500.jpg)
If you have a Roman blind in your bedroom, it's super helpful if it's a dark colour (like brown or even black), has lining underneath the fabric and is a special 'blackout' style that is supposed to be especially opaque to keep the sun from creeping through in the morning and disrupting your beauty sleep!/filters:quality(70)/content/pt/k5/w5ewwwzu5904d1c264ac5440365159_600x749.jpg)
Sleeping on an old or uncomfortable mattress is an easy way for us to toss and turn on many sleepless nights as well as waking up early in the morning. Solve this by simply buying a new one that has plenty of support and spring in it so that it's super comfortable and allows you to sleep for longer each morning!/filters:quality(70)/content/d5/e0/cnrdgtnx5904d01db18c6007578223_600x750.jpg)
Although it may be super tempting to check your phone or laptop or any texts, notifications or emails if you happen to wake up early, this can actually stop you from getting back to sleep. This is because our eyes associate any form of light with day time, so even a quick check of electronics is enough to wake your body up for good! It's time to resist the urge!/filters:quality(70)/content/ex/ee/mkrs09hq5904d3059ae7e214446212_500x500.jpg)
If you have trouble sleeping for longer in the morning and haven't tried using earplugs yet, now is the time! If there's a lot of noise in your house (such as traffic outside or others getting ready for the day) it's easy to be woken up and end up with a disturbed sleep. Use earplugs to try block the noise out and sleep for longer every time!/filters:quality(70)/content/d7/n2/wcv0kj3i5904d1e63dfd3363235916_600x600.jpg)
The temperature of your room can also be a huge influence on whether you tend to sleep in or wake up early. Suss this out by relating to the seasons and change your routine as they change. For example, if it's summer where you live it may help to keep a quiet or silent fan running overnight to keep your room cool in the morning, or if it's winter set an oil heater to 'low' and leave this going so your room isn't freezing in the morning!/filters:quality(70)/content/hf/pg/lwe0267b5904d1a0b190d730290973_600x749.jpg)
Are you someone who likes to sleep on top of the sheets, under sheets or with heaps of blankets piled on your bed? It's time to find out! Try sleeping with different amounts of blankets and see what you like best. This might seem obvious but having your bedding the way you like is a really good way to sleep for longer in the morning!
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