Shaping Your Morning Routine

What’s your sleep personality?

Rise and shine!

April is Stress Awareness Month, and what better way to start the day than with a good morning routine? Mornings can be hectic for many of us, with various factors affecting our sleep patterns and causing discomfort or stress. But did you know that having a consistent morning routine can help reduce stress and set the tone for a more productive day?

Whether you're an early riser, a night owl, or somewhere in between, read on for tips on shaping a morning routine that fits your sleep personality and helps you start the day on the right foot.

The Early Bird

Are you the type who jumps out of bed with the first rays of sunlight? Congratulations, you're an early bird! Studies show that early risers are happier due to their prolonged exposure to daylight and Vitamin D. Here’s how your morning routine should go:

1. 4:00 am- Wake up
2. 4:30 am- Read or plan your day while drinking coffee
3. 5:30 am- Meditate or do a light workout
4. 6:00 am- Take a shower
5. 6:30 am- Prepare and eat a healthy breakfast
6. 7:00 am- Go about your day or work

 The Night Owl

On the other hand, if you're more of a night owl and find yourself hitting snooze multiple times before finally dragging yourself out of bed, don't worry; we understand. Night owls tend to be more productive at night and prefer to sleep in. Sunlight can naturally fix your body clock and make you feel awake and energised when you are usually asleep, so ensure you’re getting enough in the mornings.

Here’s how your morning should look:

1. Wake up 2-3 hours before you usually do
2. Get up immediately and open your curtains
3. Get lots of sunlight outdoors (sunlight naturally fixes your body clock!)
4. Meditate or exercise
5. Take a shower
6. Prepare and eat a healthy breakfast before going about your work or day.

Avoid caffeine after 3 pm, and don't take naps after 4 pm. Try to get into bed 2-3 hours earlier than usual.

The Hummingbird

If you're somewhere in between, you're a hummingbird! You're energetic and flexible, but changing schedules can lead to fatigue. To make the most of your mornings, stick to a consistent wake-up time, even on weekends. Here is how your morning routine should go:

1. Establish a constant wake-up time between 7:00 am - 8:00 am
2. Meditate or do some light exercise
3. Read or plan your days
4. Take a shower
5. Prepare and eat a healthy breakfast
6. Go off to your day or work

Remember, the key to establishing a morning routine that works for you is to start minor and be consistent. Once you have a habit in place, you can always add, tweak or get creative!

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