Start Your Day Off Right

BUT I'M TRYING TO BE!!!

I can't help it... I am just not a morning person.  It's not that my mood is completely horrid in the morning, I just hate to wake up and leave my cloud-like bed and snuggles from my miniature dachshund, Minnie.  I'd much rather snuggle up to her and fall back asleep than jump out of bed.

In addition, I am the worst "snoozer" of all time... and I hate myself for it.  I love the mornings that I jump out of bed early because I am not rushed.  I feel so much better about myself and always have a much better day when I don't rush through my morning routine.

So, as of late, I've been trying ever so hard to be a morning person.  I don't know if I'll ever be one of those people who jumps out of bed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but I definitely want to be someone who starts their day off the healthy, both physically and mentally.  

Here are some tips I have been following lately that I'm sharing with you... these small changes have truly made a difference in my life:

• I've been trying desperately not to snooze... ok at least ONE snooze per morning!
• Open up the blinds in your room and let the sunshine in! (I have taken to cracking the blinds at night so the sun helps wake me up)
• Hug/kiss your significant other, child, or pet- start your day off HAPPY.
• Do a quick workout- I do some jumping jacks as soon as I roll out of bed to wake up my body.  However, I read that push-ups are even better for you in the a.m.
• I then splash cold water on my face for a few minutes- this is refreshing and it wakes me up!
• Ok, this next one has been hard for me: showering in the morning is good for you- not just because it cleanses your body from your night of sleep, but allows you time to meditate or think while you shower.  I have always been someone who showers before bed and then only washes my face in the morning, but I definitely feel better if I shower in the a.m.
• Eat a healthy breakfast.  This makes me feel better both physically AND mentally.  Try and eat one that is high in fiber.  (And don't forget regular breakfast eaters are leaner than most people!)
• Drink a full glass of water with lemon- I keep seeing more and more about this since I posted THIS the other day.  Some people say it wakes them up better than coffee!
• Take time with your appearance.  I swear I am more productive when I look more put together.  I also just feel better about myself overall.  
• Timothy Ferriss, author of The 4 Hour Work Week, says you should decide the ONE most important thing you want to do each day and try and tackle that first.  I love that one.  This goes along with the notion that the most successful people in the world are early risers.  

Let me know if you guys have anything I should add to my routine!  Hope some (or all) of these can make a difference in someone's routine.