Starting off your day on a positive note sets the tone for the rest of the day. A morning routine gives you the opportunity to take control of your schedule instead of your schedule controlling you. A specific morning routine helps reduce the stress and anxiety that come with a new day.

Everyone has their own unique morning routine for a variety of reasons such as occupation, sleep schedule, homework, etc. Some people may focus their morning around an early workout, getting a good breakfast or just to sleep in. It is important that when choosing your morning routine consider how much time you have and what your goals are in the morning.

Carrie Fitzpatrick (’22) Usually finds herself just trying to get out the door before school.

“During the week my routine really focuses on getting out the door quickly,” Fitzpatrick said. “I really focus on the essentials, brushing my teeth, some deodorant, a shower if my brother isn’t taking forever and getting my breaky and lunch together all while getting rushed out the door by my Mom.”

Setting a goal for your morning routines can also help you stay motivated in the morning before school.

“I’d say that my main motivation for getting up and ready for school is knowing I’m about to see my friends at school,” Fitzpatrick said.

For a quick morning routine, and for any of the following, you can knock off the things to do the night before. If you pack your lunch, try packing your meals the night before and just put them in your bag on your way out. For cleanliness, a solid deodorant is a good way to smell fresh with limited time, some Nike cool rush or Old Spice Fiji are some good options. For breakfast, with limited time, breakfast bars and some fruit is the way to go. Any type of Kind Bar or a Builders Clif Bar are good options, pair that with a banana or orange and you got yourself an on the go breakfast. Don’t forget that if you are sleeping in, make sure to get a good amount of sleep the night before.

For those who want to wake up earlier, working out in the morning is a great way to start your day by pumping some iron and those endorphins.

Endorphins is a chemical released by your brain that relieves stress and in turn makes you feel happier. While it may seem like a daunting task to wake up early in the A.M. to get out of bed and actually work out, what you get out of that 30 to 60 minutes of working out is extremely rewarding. Pair that workout with a high protein breakfast like some scrambled eggs, oatmeal or a protein shake and you’ll be getting the most out of your workout. Please take a shower after any workout, trust that no one wants to smell your gym musk in first period.

On the other hand, some may wake up on the earlier side to have a self care oriented morning routine. This can look like doing a skincare followed by makeup and hair. Having a skin care routine doesn’t have to be for appearance, it can also be to simply keep your skin healthy. It can be as quick as washing your face or it can be a multi step process, all depending on your specific needs. Your hair and makeup routine will also look different from other peoples as we all have different preferences. This type of routine can be beneficial to those who like investing time in how they look. Oftentimes when you look good, you feel good. However, don’t feel obligated to do these extra steps if you don’t want to.