Mornings are hard, especially when the sun is shining and all you have to look forward to is a day full of meetings and work deadlines. Although we all know that successful people wake up early and work out (among other things), sometimes our schedules don’t allow for that. We all know how difficult it can be to find extra time in the morning, but there are some things that you can do to make the most of your time. These seven quick and productive tasks will help you make the most of your mornings this week, without having to drastically change your schedule.
1. Drink water with lemon.
Did you know that adding lemon to your water can help improve lymph function, skin hydration, and general bodily cleansing? This entire process only requires five minutes or less, making it ideal for busy people. For example, model and traveler Gisele Bündchen incorporate this into her daily morning routine.
2. Make your bed.
Believe it or not, starting your day by folding your bedsheets is a positive way to set the tone for the rest of the day. You’ll feel accomplished and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. Plus, when you come home after a long day at work, you can collapse into clean sheets – how refreshing! If you’re skeptical that this method can help jump-start your day, just listen to this Navy SEAL talk about making his bed every day.
3. Watch the news.
While it’s easy to catch up on current events by mindlessly scrolling through your Twitter feed or reading the news on your computer screen, try turning on your TV in the morning as you get ready for work instead. This way, you can have a nice break from staring at screens all day and if anyone happens to be talking about current events later, you’ll already be in the know!
4. Make a green smoothie.
You can’t go wrong when you mix kale and spinach in a smoothie with other fruits like apples, bananas, or oranges. If you don’t enjoy the taste of spinach, I recommend trying a pineapple, kale, and blueberry smoothie. They’re refreshing while also being healthy breakfast options that double as an energizer.
5. Stretch for five minutes (in bed).
If sitting down to meditate is not your ideal way to start the day, try stretching as soon as you wake up instead. This will help get your blood flowing so that when you do stand up, you won’t feel dizzy and like you just rolled out of bed.
6. Wake up a couple of minutes earlier.
If you’re struggling to wake up earlier in the morning, don’t try to set your alarm for an hour earlier all at once. Instead, start by setting it for just five or 10 minutes earlier. Gradually your body will adjust to the new time and you won’t feel the need to hit that snooze button. After all, waking up five minutes earlier sounds much more manageable than waking up 60 minutes ahead of schedule!
7. Double-check your schedule for the day.
If you wake up feeling rushed each morning, set aside some time to review your plans for the day. You’ll feel more in control of the situation whether there are last-minute events or an upcoming meeting by physically seeing and checking off your to-do list.
This article first appeared on POPSUGAR.
Photo: Peathegee Inc / Getty Images
