10 Tips on How to Wake Up on the Right Side of the Bed

We all know those 'UGH' days and we hate those days. So these are some tips on how you can start your day off right!

(Featuring my current pick-me-up obsessions!)

1. Drink a glass of water immediately after you wake up - before you do anything else - before brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. Keep a glass of water or a water bottle handy beside your bed for easy access. Water will rejuvenate and help detoxify your system after a night's sleep, not to mention it does wonders for your skin!

2. Put on an upbeat/uplifting song to wake up to. I love this part of the day - I get to party with myself in my own room (it's not as sad as it sounds, I promise)! I am currently HOOKED on the song "All Night" by Icona Pop. Actually, it's been my "wake-up" song for months on end now. I know the song is about partying all night long, but it's got such catchy beats! I kid you not, this is THE perfect song to dance to to wake yourself up. Check out the video below.



3. Take a shower (and do your usual morning routine e.g. brushing teeth, cleansing your face). I know some people may like to do this one differently, but I'm a morning showerer. If you're anything like me, you know you sweat in your sleep, as I do. I would hate getting dressed in the morning NOT knowing how I smell or IF I smell. So, to eliminate all risks, I jump into the shower and get cleaned and scented up. Besides, what better way is there to wake you up?!

4. Have a KILLER breakfast. It may not seem like it, but this will make a HUGE difference in your morning. You know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day (*wemp wemp...*) I used to be so guilty of breaking the breakfast rule all the time, but I like to think I have gotten much, much better at following it. What is the breakfast rule, you ask? Simply have nutrition-filled breakfast every morning and don't wait too long into the day to consume it. I usually have 2 half-cooked eggs and sprinkle it with a little bit of sea salt and pepper before I head off to work, where I would eat the rest of my breakfast which varies from day to day.

I'll share with you the recipe to one of my favourite breakfasts of all time:

• a bowl of almond milk
• pour in some honey almond granola (any brand is fine, I'm not that big of a health junkie)
• add some freshly-washed blueberries (and/or raspberries), some banana slices (amount depends on your preference) - you can also substitute the berries and banana for other fruits of your choice. I love putting berries because they are rich in anti-oxidants, and banana due to the high content of potassium. The latter also acts as a natural sweetener!
• That's it! Enjoy your killer breakfast!!

5. Make an effort to look presentable. You know the saying, "When you look good, you feel good." When you're out in public, wherever it may be, try your best to look presentable. When you KNOW you look good, you will feel more confident. When you feel more confident, you will feel that you can conquer the world and nothing can stop you, not even public transport delays! OK, long stretch, but you get the point. Every day will feel like Friday before you realize tomorrow is not Saturday. But at least you repeat this fun cycle everyday, so it won't matter anyway! Do up your hair, put on some makeup (not exclusive to those who aren't girls), wear a nice shirt + accessories - anything that can make you feel good about yourself. Whatever works for you, do it.

6. Walk to work/school/wherever else. I know this isn't applicable to those who live an hour/hours away from their workplace (myself included). If it is impossible for you to walk, take the public transport sometimes. It sparks you up and gives you a chance to be surrounded by other people who are on the same boat as you (not literally, of course). Traveling this way is energizing and gives you plenty of time for self-reflection before you start the day, which I think is reasonably necessary. Also, you get to be mindful of the people with whom you cross paths because a good handful of them might be cranky. Who knows, maybe you'd be able to share some of your sunshine into their lives (^^).

7. Crank up your favourite music on the way to your destination. Plug in those earphones and walk like a bada$$.

8. Whenever possible, arrive early to work. I love arriving early to work because it gives me loads of time to settle and get my work set-up ready. You can also catch up on some work from the day before if unfinished - that way, you can use the extra space of time to be more productive with the day's tasks. As well, you will have time to craft your favourite beverage and/or treat yourself to some highly-craved breakfast so that you can focus more on your work when you start.

9. Plan out your day ahead. This is the ultimate day-saver if you like to zone out like me. I have a short attention span and am easily distracted, and I find it quite difficult to get back on track once my focus is broken. If you have your day planned out in advance, whether it's written out or memorized, your schedule won't be scattered and everything will run smoothly throughout the day! Naturally, you will only have one person to thank: yourself.

10. Get adequate sleep the night before.  I wanted to make sure that I put the most important tip on the list last. I cannot tell you how many times I've woken up on the wrong side of the bed simply because I didn't get enough sleep the night before. If you're a super busy person and find it impossible to get 8 hours of sleep, then you might want to try 6-7 hours instead. Make sure you wake up at an appropriate time on a regular basis (don't sleep and wake up too late into the day as it messes up with your daily cycle).

I hope my list helps and gives you a bit of insight. Feel free to share with me your day-to-day tips in the comments :-).

xox,

Hazel ♥