I’m typically a morning person, but that’s not to say I don’t have shitty ones. And let’s be real, not everyone typically likes the mornings to begin with! While morning routines get all the attention, sometimes mornings suck – I get it. So whether you wake up feeling tired, unmotivated, uninspired, or the like, here are things to try to combat those feelings.

Hydrate + light + move

Lauryn from The Skinny Confidential first gave me this idea, and I have to say…it works. She does it a little more intensely than I care for, but the gist is money.

By drinking a bunch of water in the a.m., you get your system moving and it gives you energy. Opening your windows naturally awakens the body and gets your circadian rhythm balanced (a light like this can help in the winter). Finally, some kind of movement energizes (see the trend here?) and it honestly feels SO good to get this done first thing. It’s like shaking off the morning slump. Even something like stretching for 10 minutes or a few sun salutations does the trick – especially when you don’t want to go outside.

Get outside

On the contrary, it’s amazing what fresh air and even a little chill can do for you right away. I literally HATE getting out of my pajamas first thing, so I’ll grab some hot lemon water, my robe, and literally go sit in my backyard for 5 minutes. Nature is a natural mood booster and it’s almost like doing a cold plunge but in the comfort of a warm robe and a hot liquid.

Drink something good (for you)

If chugging a bunch of water is too boring for you, make it more exciting. Whether it’s hot lemon water, a healthy shot, a combination of water + Himalayan salt + cayenne pepper to detox, a green smoothie, green tea, or coffee with collagen and cinnamon, consume something that is not only good for you, but that gets you going in one way or another.

Keep your phone in airplane mode

Geri and I both live by this rule and it’s honestly the best. I know it’s easy to grab your cell and check Insta or emails right away, but what’s that actually doing for you? For me, it usually adds some sort of stress by way of email, or it wastes 20 minutes of my precious morning by scrolling a feed. Either way, it’s likely not something making you feel better in the a.m.

Journal

There are lots of fancy ways to talk about journaling in the morning but keep it simple. Write out everything on your mind – which is especially helpful if you wake up feeling stressed AF. Sometimes just getting your to-do list out first thing makes you realize that you don’t have as much to do as you think, or you can at least set a game plan for it. Or write out what you’re thinking about, how you’re feeling, and just touch base with yourself internally. Following one of these prompts is a good place to start, too!

Meditate

Obviously! I actually don’t love meditating first thing in the a.m. because I find that I have a lot of energy naturally and meditating kind of hinders that, BUT a lot of people swear by it. If you tend to wake up stressed or want to get grounded to begin your day, find a practice that works for you.

Listen to a podcast

During mundane morning tasks like showering, making coffee, or whatever, get inspired via a podcast. The morning is my favorite time to listen to one that will motivate me (as opposed to entertain, which I save for afternoons or when I’m bored), but if you already feel like your brain is full or need a mood boost, listen to something fun! Recs for podcasts here and here.