You may be currently struggling to make the most out of your days and create a functioning morning routine, but don’t worry. You haven’t failed. If it can happen for me it can happen for you and I firmly believe that each day is a fresh start and a chance to renew your body, spirit, and mind.

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

Your night begins around 8pm and includes you indulging in a little variety television. A lifetime movie, or your favorite reality show. Your eyelids start drooping around 9:30pm-10:00pm, but you fight against it. You have to know what will happen in this episode of the Love and Hip Hop. Around midnight, you finally call a truce between you and the almighty Netflix.

I got tired of being tired, so I had to come up with a help-me-howy moment and created my own nightly schedule for a better morning routine that insures my days start out productive immediately.

It may seem like a small, insignificant part of your day, but getting an adequate amount of rest is crucial to performing to the best of your ability in all areas of your life. If you are ready to get focused on your goals and knock them outta the park this year, your morning routine is the first thing you MUST get organized.

I’ll admit it, I still slip up from time to time and find myself getting to bed at midnight or a little later, but I’m determined to make my new schedule a lifetime habit. So, whether its ice cream, steak, or Netflix that gets you out of bed in the morning, the following tips can help make the transition from hibernating bear to a functioning person a little easier.

I said a little. I’m not a miracle worker.

1. REDUCE YOUR MEDIA INTAKE

This was really difficult for me because most of my time has to be spent on social media as a creative. Trust me it was next to impossible. So I’ll take it a little easy on you for now.

Catching up on all of my shows through show box is one of my most hidden talents. No really. At any giving time,  I’m literally watching three different shows at one time. What can I say? I love my series, I am a tv junkie at heart.

Lurking around on the gram for about an hour after telling myself Id go to sleep is another one of my strange talents.

My suggestion is to cut back on using social media and turn down the bright screen on your phone, turn off the television a couple of hours before you call it a night. It worked for me.  The brightness of your phone, tablet, or computer can disrupt your body’s melatonin production. This can affect your quality of sleep.

That’s a real bummer and no good when it comes to getting the best quality sleep possible. So, set your technology aside and turn off the lights.

2. CREATE A DAILY CHECKLIST

Sometimes, I hate that my night brain is so much more creative. Does anyone else have tons of half finished, barely descriptive notes, just hastily typed on their phone at 1:30am? Or is it just me?

I can’t count how many times I’ve thought of something late at night that I would want to remember the next day. But, much like getting out of a warm bed to pee in the middle of the night, I didn’t feel like getting up and writing anything down. Of course I gave myself a migraine trying to remember what it was.

Create a checklist or a short to do list of items or post that you know you will need to be done the next day.  Your list can even include bills to pay online, a note to a friend, a grocery list, blog post titles, social media post ideas, anything you think you’ll forget during the early morning sleep brain coffee time of day. You can also jot down what time you’ll be prepping for bed, how you plan to unwind in the evening, and your goal time for going to sleep. If you have a spouse or an accountability partner to remind you that would work as well.

3. GET YOUR WORKOUT ON

One of my favorite ways to practice self-care is through different forms of exercise. I start my day by working out in the a.m.. If you don’t have time to workout in the a.m, try getting your sweat on before going to bed. You’ll boost your mood by your body’s natural release of endorphins during your workout and also use up some of that extra energy.

If you’re not active during the day you could be experiencing some pent-up energy at night. This could result in consuming whole chickens along with haagen-dazs tubs of ice cream. (been there…ohhh, how I’ve been there..), restless leg syndrome, the consequences are endless.

Not feeling a super intense workout?

Try meditation or yoga for a good night’s sleep. Doing yoga a few times a week is a habit im trying to incorporate into my schedule for a healthier, happier morning routine. It’s the perfect workout when I want to really stretch my muscles and work up a sweat but don’t want to do anything too strenuous. Plus, yoga has a really calming effect on your body as well as your mind.

With a little bit of patience, the right attitude, and a whole lot of grace for ourselves, we can carpe diem this year.  Hopefully the steps outlined in this post will help you get your life right and conquer that not a morning person addiction……once and for all.

XOXOXO

RISTAN EUNIQUE