In this BIT: Ready for the best back to school morning routine? That’s right – these steps for a successful morning make for a fantastic routine for kids and all ages!
With school coming soon, waking up early and feeling energized during the early hours of the day can be difficult. Taking control of the morning and building in ways to find a small bit of happiness is our favorite simple way to curate a better, happier day. Practicing a few, easy habits can make your early mornings easier and more enjoyable. In this BITS post, you’ll discover the five simple habits to incorporate into your morning!
It can be so easy to reach for a few extra minutes of sleep. However, we get into the habit of sleeping past our alarms, it’s easy to sink into the habit of oversleeping and running late. Try placing your alarm clock further away from your bed, having to physically get up to turn it off. Another hack: while in bed, count to five, and get up! It’s like ripping off a band-aid.
We often choose to sleep longer, rather than to allocate more time for getting ready. Feeling rushed as soon as we wake up is incredibly stressful and can set a negative tone for the whole day. It’s true, the tone and mood of our morning truly leaves an imprint on the day ahead. Aim to find the perfect sweet spot – enough time to sleep in and feel energized, with enough time to get ready for the day in peace. Perhaps this means going to bed half-an-hour earlier in order to wake up a bit earlier. Before going to sleep, take a moment to think backwards. What time do you need to be at school/work/an appointment? How long will it take to get to this location? What time should you leave home? How long does it take to get ready? These questions will help figure out the best time to wake up, helping avoid the stress of being rushed!
Hydration is key to thinking clearly – especially early in the morning. Why? We’re typically dehydrated after a long night, with no water intake. During breakfast, or even while getting ready, enjoy a glass of water. This small hack will allow for your brain to focus better right now, and later in the day. Plus, water also helps us feel more awake. It’s truly an essential hack to a successful morning! Up to 78% of our body is made of water – no wonder it plays such a role in our mood and health! If you’re not a fan of plain water, add in some sliced lemon, lime, orange, or strawberry.
Starting the day off on a positive note helps us feel happier throughout the day. We believe what we tell ourselves; for better or for worse. Meaning, if you start off the morning by picking apart your skin in the mirror, you’re more likely to feel negative or insecure throughout the day. Instead, shift this narrative by reaffirming gratitude, confidence, and happiness. Repeat simple phrases like ‘I am excited for the day‘, ‘I find happiness in everyday‘, or ‘I will have a good day‘. Although you may not always believe these affirmations when you first state them; with more repetition you’ll likely start to feel an increased sense of optimism. To put in short, the key to a successful school morning routine is being kind to yourself.
Busy mornings are stressful, and it can be hard to find moments of peace. When feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or sad, take three seconds and focus on taking a deep breath, in and out. Finding and noticing the quiet in busy times can help us stay peaceful, grounded, and feel a little bit happier.
Mornings are incredibly powerful, as they set the tone for the entire day. Setting up a routine for kids is essential; however, all ages thrive when we have more predictability in our day. When we take control over our morning, we control our outlook on the rest of our experiences. These five easy habits are a powerful set of tools to build into the day. Remember, focus on calm and doable routines, alongside looking for the positive. We hope that these school morning routine hacks and habits bring you a Small Bit of Happiness.
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
Featuring quick videos created for teens by teens.
Sources:
Do you need advice on a school morning routine for kids? See these tips!