If you’re worried about your hair looking flat or even greasy without a morning shower, dry shampoo is a lifesaver. It soaks up excess oil at your scalp and adds body without any suds or heavy duty styling. [2] X Research source
Make sure that your clothing is appropriate for work. While you may need to wear a suit if you’re employed at an office, you should choose polished clothing even if your workplace is more casual so you project a professional image, especially if you meet with clients or customers. That means no ripped, torn, or stained clothing. For example, a man might wear an ironed button-down shirt, dress pants, and lace-up dress shoes in a more casual workplace. Any outfit chosen should be dressy but not too formal. Getting your clothes ready the night before also gives you time to figure out if anything needs to be ironed, so you don’t wind up at work in wrinkled clothing. You may want to consider installing wall-mounted racks on the wall of your bedroom or closet where you can hang a multiple days’ worth of outfits. That way, you can plan out your clothing for a week at a time and not have to worry about it each night.
It’s a good idea to place your alarm clock and phone out of reach from your bed, so you physically have to get up to turn it off. If you are in the habit of hitting the snooze button, you can find some alarm clock apps for your smartphone that actually require you to solve a puzzle or other challenge before the alarm turns off. That may help you wake enough to realize that snoozing is a bad idea.
For young adults, ages 18 through 64, seven to nine hours of sleep is usually sufficient to prepare you for the day. If you’re over the age of 64, you can get by with seven to eight hours of sleep. [7] X Research source
If you have trouble shutting down your thoughts, consider using a sleep meditation when you get into bed to help calm and relax your mind. You can use various apps for your smartphone that guide you through meditations that help encourage sleep. [8] X Research source Quietly reading a book in bed before you go to sleep can also help distract you from thoughts of work.
Using a peppermint or other mint flavored toothpaste when you brush can help wake you up in the morning. You don’t necessarily have to use soap or a facial cleanser to wash your face in the morning. Just splash some cold water on your face to help get you going.
To save time, keep all of the toiletries, such as shaving supplies and cosmetics, that you use in the morning in one location in the bathroom so you don’t waste time looking for anything when you’re getting ready.
If you usually put on your jewelry as a final finishing touch to your outfit, make sure that it’s organized. You don’t want to have hunt down an earring or detangle a bunch of necklaces when you’re trying to get out the door for work. Get in the habit of checking the week’s weather forecast. That way, you can make sure that any extras you might need, such as an umbrella or rain boots, are accessible when you need them.
If you haven’t washed your hair and it’s looking rough, try to just take care of the problem areas. For example, if your bangs are looking flat, wash them quickly with shampoo and give them a quick blow dry with a round brush.
A brisk walk through your neighborhood is another good way to get your blood flowing. Create your own quick morning workout by doing a series of crunches, push ups, and jumping jacks. Keep in mind that if you exercise before work, you may feel the need to shower in the morning, depending on how much of a sweat you work up. Allot some time for bathing in your routine if that’s the case. While a workout can help get you going in the morning, you shouldn’t sacrifice sleep for exercise. If you don’t have time in your routine, you’re better off skipping the workout. [11] X Research source If you need any special tools or equipment for your job, make sure that they’re packed as well.
To meditate, clear a spot on the floor where you can sit comfortably. Relax your body, close your eyes, and try to clear your mind. It usually helps to focus on your breathing. If you’re having trouble clearing your mind, don’t try to actively block out thoughts. Acknowledge those that pass through your mind, but let them pass until your mind goes blank. While you can meditate for as little as a several minutes, the longer that you do it the more relaxed that you’ll feel.
Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast option. You can use the instant variety if you’re in a hurry, but make sure it’s unflavored so it doesn’t have too much sugar. The oats are rich in healthy carbs and fiber, but mix in some nuts for added protein. Greek yogurt is a no-cook breakfast that you can prepare quickly. Create a parfait by layering it with some of your favorite fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. Eggs can be a good, protein-filled breakfast. Add some of your favorite vegetables and some low-fat cheese for a tasty omelet. If you’re worried about cholesterol, use only the egg whites. If you’re a fan of toast, use whole grain bread instead of white. Swap the usual butter or jelly for almond butter to get a little extra protein. If you oversleep and don’t have time for a proper breakfast, a protein bar can help keep you going until lunch.
Be sure to focus only on what you need to do that day. Don’t worry about all the things that you need to get done later in the week.
It’s a good idea to build some free time into your schedule. That way, if something comes up at the last minute, you won’t fall too far behind on the things that you planned to do that day.
If you like to bring your lunch to work, it’s a good idea to make and pack it the night before. If you require medication, check that it’s in your bag before you head out the door. If you wear makeup, you may want to bring along some cosmetics for touch-ups throughout the day.
