Isn’t it funny how your mornings can set the tone for the day? The alarm goes off; you get out of bed, get dressed, get the kids ready, and rush out the door with a piece of toast and lukewarm coffee.
You fight traffic, get to the office with a few minutes to spare, and immediately get to work. This rushed and overwhelming feeling follows you throughout the day, weighing heavily on your physical and emotional well-being.
Though it’s common to assume that this is normal for working moms, continuing this monotonous yet stressful morning routine has adverse effects on your health and wellness. Fortunately, it’s completely avoidable.
By developing a morning routine that incorporates simple self-care practices, you can set the tone for a more positive day (while prioritizing your needs). Continue reading for suggestions.
Let The Sunshine In
You’d be surprised how natural light can enhance your mood. When you wake up in the morning, open your blinds or curtains and let the sunshine through.
Positive Affirmations
It’s easy for a negative thought or emotional trigger to throw you off first thing in the morning. Instead of thinking about all the work you have to do or the things you didn’t complete the day before, replace it with something positive. “I’m happy to be alive” or “I’m going to knock this meeting out of the park” can make a big difference in your mood.
Make Time For Exercise
Set the alarm so you can wake up early enough to complete self-care tasks like exercising. Even 15 minutes can make a world of difference in your physical and emotional well-being. You can go for a walk, practice yoga and meditation, or follow along to a short workout video to get some much-needed physical activity in the morning.
Shower And Moisturize
After working up a good sweat, you’re ready for a shower. Incorporate special products or rituals to make the experience as positive as possible. For example, buy your favorite soap and upgrade from a washcloth to a loofah for a spa-like experience and radiant skin. If you need to conserve time, you can always grab the toothpaste tablets and brush your teeth while showering.
Skincare And Beauty Routine
When you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside. So, don’t overlook the importance of a skincare and beauty routine. Wash, exfoliate, and moisturize your face with the skincare products of your choice. As for your beauty routine, switching to products like reusable cotton rounds, organic makeup brushes, and other eco-friendly items enhances your beauty while saving the planet.
Dress To Impress
Whether you wear a uniform or a business suit, you want to dress your best every day for work. If you lay your outfit out the night before, you have more time to figure out what you want to wear. You’ll also have time to wash, dry, or iron the outfit, so you look presentable. Once you’ve finished your skincare and beauty routines, you simply throw on your clothes, take a look at yourself in the mirror, and head to the kitchen.
Eat Breakfast
So many women talk about how they barely have time to eat breakfast in the morning. They either nibble on leftovers from the kid’s plates, grab a piece of toast, or skip breakfast altogether. It’s essential to remember that food is like fuel. If you don’t give your body the proper fuel in the morning, getting through the day becomes impossible. Therefore, you need to make time for a small meal.
You can find recipes for breakfast that won’t take much time to prepare. Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, enjoy your meal, and do something productive like watch the news, read a book, write in your journal, or eat with the kids.
Mornings are some of the most challenging times for working mothers. They’re inundated with tasks and responsibilities that leave them feeling flustered and overwhelmed before the day gets started.
Fortunately, making simple self-care changes to your morning can make a significant difference. Use self-care practices like those discussed above to develop a morning routine that prioritizes your health and wellness.
