How to Make Your Morning Stress-Free (or Nearly So)

For many of us, the morning is the most stressful time of the day. The entire day is ahead of us; we have countless tasks to manage, and if we're not careful, we could end up being late for work or school. If you have an entire family to coordinate, your morning might be even more stressful.

The good news is there are easy strategies you can incorporate to make your morning stress free, or at least much less stressful than it was before.

Prepare What You Can the Night Before

First, prepare whatever you can the night before. Depending on who you are and what morning responsibilities you have, that could mean things like laying out an outfit, preparing certain aspects of breakfast, or packing your briefcase. You may also spend the night before writing out a task list so you know exactly what you have to tackle in the morning and in what order you should be tackling it.

Upgrade Your Bathroom

If you're like most people, you spend a good portion of your morning in the bathroom getting ready. You can instantly make your life less stressful by upgrading your bathroom to make it more supportive.

• A bidet attachment. The right bidet attachment can give you access to multiple luxury features simultaneously. Immediately, you'll have access to a nozzle that allows you to use a jet of water to get yourself cleaner in a more comfortable way; with access to settings for temperature and pressure, you can adjust the experience to your liking. Plus, the heated seat will make it far more comfortable to sit on the toilet in cold weather.
• A cozy robe. Consider getting yourself a cozy, luxury robe as well. Even if you don't consider yourself much of a "robe person," draping yourself in this luxury clothing item while you brush your teeth and put on makeup can make you feel pampered.
• Ample storage space. While it won't help you with tasks directly, upgrading your bathroom to have more storage space can help you manage your stress in various ways. Perhaps most notably, it will allow you to keep your bathroom less cluttered, clearing your mind so you can focus on the day ahead.

Give Yourself More Time

Countless people are stressed in the morning simply because they have too much to do in too little time. You may not be able to take tasks off your plate, but you should be able to give yourself more time in the morning by getting up earlier. If this is difficult for you, consider setting an alarm 10 minutes earlier every day, gradually acclimating to an earlier wake-up time and routine.

If your morning routine usually takes an hour, give yourself an hour and a half. The extra time will not be a waste; it will be a cushion that helps you feel less rushed and less pressured.

Drink Water

Many people feel stressed, irritated, or even downright angry without realizing that their subtle background dehydration level is making everything feel worse than it is. Immediately upon waking up, consider drinking a big glass of water. You might be surprised at how much better it makes you feel. After that, pack a full water bottle so you have an easy way to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Exercise (Even if It's Only Briefly)

Whenever possible, spend part of your morning exercising, even if it's only a brief endeavor. Depending on your goals and preferences, this might mean squeezing in a full workout at the gym or just going through a few yoga poses before taking a shower and getting dressed. Even a small amount of exercise can help you relieve stress and get a boost of energy that can last you the rest of the day.

Eat a Balanced Breakfast

Spend the time and effort necessary to eat a balanced breakfast. While there is some doubt that this is the most important meal of the day, eating a breakfast full of lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates is sure to start your day on the right foot.

Limit Screen Time

Consider limiting your exposure to screens early in the day, especially if you're the type of person who reads the news on a smartphone the moment you wake up. Whether you realize it or not, excessive screen time can stress you out and make you feel detached. Instead, consider reading a physical newspaper or a book or focusing on other activities that don't require a digital screen.

Meditate

Even a few moments of mindfulness meditation can help you clear out stress and distractions and prepare for the day ahead. Mindfulness is an activity that's easy to start but hard to master, so don't feel intimidated if you struggle to get value out of your first few sessions. Keep going; eventually, it will click.

Practice Gratitude

Regularly practicing gratitude can relieve stress and make you happier long-term. That's why it's a good idea to spend a few minutes each morning writing down or affirming some things that you're grateful for.

If you incorporate all or even some of these strategies into your morning routine, you should be able to start most of your days happier and with less stress. It might take some time to adopt these strategies and adjust fully, but by the end of the process, you'll be in a much better position.