There’s something about waking up on a fall morning that just begs you to slow down. Fall mornings can feel completely different than they did during the summer months. While you might be tempted to rush out of bed and go, fall weather allows you to linger in the morning without suffering. It can feel nice to crawl out from under your warm blankets, make yourself some coffee, and take your time getting ready for work.
But that relaxing feeling doesn’t last long when you remember you have to be at work in an hour and you’re already running late. Over the years, I’ve learned that there’s no need to wake up hours before work or develop an intense morning routine. Instead, you just need a few simple habits to help you wake up, feel organized, and ready to go before your workday starts.
Creating a good fall morning routine gives you the best of both worlds. You never feel rushed in the morning, and you can take advantage of falling asleep later without sacrificing your productivity. If your mornings become hectic once fall rolls around, follow these eight habits to form a comforting routine.
8 Simple Fall Morning Routines to Do Before Work
1. Wake Up a Little Earlier Than Usual
One of the easiest ways to improve your fall mornings is by waking up earlier. You don’t need to wake up drastically earlier than you have been. Even waking up an extra 15 to 30 minutes can make a big difference when you’re feeling pressed for time.
Fall weather can make waking up more difficult. When it’s chilly out and the sun doesn’t rise for hours, your bed is going to feel much more comfortable. Try to resist hitting the snooze button repeatedly and jumping straight out of bed. Set your alarm for the same time every morning and make waking up on time your number one priority.
You’re not just waking up early to get dressed and go. Allow yourself time to sit down and enjoy your morning. Make yourself breakfast, sip your coffee slowly, open the curtains, and take your time before you need to start working.
Read also: 100 Fun Questions to Ask Preschoolers About Fall
2. Open the Curtains and Let in Morning Light
Trust me, fall mornings are darker. And waking up to jump right into work when it’s still dark outside is not going to set you up for a good day. Instead of groggily reaching over for your phone first thing, open up your curtains and let in as much light as possible.
If you live in a place that’s dark all morning, try to spend a few minutes looking outside. It’s a nice way to wake yourself up before diving into work. Opening your curtains and letting light in helps signal to your mind that it is morning and it’s time to get up.
Not only will this help you wake up, but it helps you start the day off right. You instantly clear your room of any darkness and welcome in the morning. Make your bed after you get up, and you’ll check off two easy tasks before you even leave your room.
Read also: 77 Fun and Thought Provoking Fall Questions for Adults
3. Make Yourself a Warm Fall Drink
There is nothing better than drinking something warm in the morning when it’s chilly out. Make yourself your favorite fall drink and take your time enjoying it before work.
I’m not talking about chugging your coffee on the way out the door. Take twenty minutes to enjoy your drink. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy each sip. Allow yourself time to wake up before jumping into your day.
You can even treat this like part of your morning self care routine. Pick your favorite mug, buy some seasonal coffee flavors, or make yourself a cozy corner to sit and enjoy your drink every morning. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Just allow yourself thirty minutes to relax with a warm drink.
Read also: Building a Productive Morning Routine
4. Eat Breakfast Before Work
When your morning is rushed, you probably skip breakfast and just fuel up with coffee. Don’t skip breakfast. Eating breakfast will keep you from getting distracted from hunger and will leave you with more energy to tackle your day.
You don’t have to make yourself a full meal every morning. Find a few breakfast ideas that you really enjoy and rotate between them. Stay warm with fall foods like oatmeal, eggs and toast, or warm apple cinnamon smoothies.
Try to prepare as much as you can the night before. Portion out your oatmeal, boil eggs, chop up fruit, or gather whatever ingredients you know you’ll need. Limiting your decisions in the morning will help you save time and mentally prepare for your day.
5. Don’t Check Your Phone Right Away
If you check your phone the second you open your eyes, you’re inviting other people’s priorities to take over your morning. Wake up fifteen minutes earlier than normal and avoid your phone until you’re ready for work.
Take some time to enjoy your morning coffee or breakfast without scrolling through Instagram. You don’t have to spend hours away from your phone, but try to stay present for the first thirty minutes of your morning.
Get ready for work, eat breakfast, stretch, or take a few moments to organize your thoughts before you allow yourself to dive into emails or notifications. You’ll be surprised at how prepared you’ll feel to tackle everything on your own without distractions.
6. Move Your Body Before Work
This doesn’t mean you should work out intensively on your way to work. Instead, take a few minutes to stretch, go for a walk, do a yoga routine, or complete a few bodyweight exercises.
It can be tough to wake up your body in the fall when it’s so cold out. Force yourself outside for a few minutes by moving around in the morning. You’ll thank yourself later when you aren’t so sore from sleeping.
If you don’t have time to get out for a walk, take a few laps around your house. Stretch in front of your desk or complete a quick workout before you log onto your computer. Any movement is better than no movement.
7. Plan Your Day Before Work
Take a few minutes each morning to plan out your workday. Look at your schedule and determine what you need to accomplish for the day. Write down a few tasks that need your attention and go over anything special you need to remember.
Don’t write yourself a crazy list of twenty things you need to do if you know you won’t complete them. Identify what needs to be done and what can wait. Ask yourself what the most important things are that you need to accomplish today.
Use this time to clear your mind and organize your thoughts. Having a simple morning planning routine can help you feel less stressed throughout your workday. You won’t have to keep your entire to do list mentally memorized.
8. Give Yourself One Moment to Relax Before Work
Just because you’re creating a morning routine doesn’t mean you shouldn’t relax for at least a minute. Instead of spending every second of your morning working, give yourself something to look forward to.
Take a few moments to sit by your window with your coffee or listen to your favorite fall playlist. You can read a book, light a candle, or step outside for some fresh air. Do one thing that will allow you to relax before you start your workday.
Fall is the perfect time to indulge in cozy mornings. Take advantage of the season and allow yourself one moment to relax every morning.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Season
When you’re focused on getting ready for work, it’s easy to overlook how beautiful fall can be. Fall only happens for a few months every year. Make the most of your morning by taking advantage of fall perks.
Notice how cool the air feels when you step outside. Look at all of the leaves changing colors. Make yourself that warm drink you’ve been craving. Throw on a sweater you love and listen to music that reminds you of fall. These moments may feel small, but they can make your average work mornings more enjoyable.
You don’t have to have the perfect morning routine. You just need fifteen to thirty minutes each morning to start your day right. Wake up with enough time to allow yourself to slowly move into work mode. Drink a warm beverage, eat breakfast, move your body, prepare for your workday, and allow yourself one moment to relax.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one size fits all morning routine. Not everyone can wake up at 5 am every morning ready to tackle the day. Create a morning routine that works for you and allows you to wake up naturally without rushing.
Begin your morning with enough time to wake up, drink coffee, eat breakfast, and relax. Open your curtains to let in some light and wake yourself up. Move your body for a few minutes each morning so you’re not cramped from sleeping. Spend a few minutes preparing for your workday so you know what you’ll need to accomplish.
Once you have those basics, allow yourself one moment to relax before you start your day. Fall is the perfect time of year to relax a little bit each morning.
FAQ
What is a good morning routine before work in fall?
You should wake up with enough time, open your curtains, drink something warm, eat breakfast, move your body, stay off your phone for at least twenty minutes, prepare for your workday, and allow yourself one moment to relax.
When should I wake up before work?
You shouldn’t pick a specific time to wake up every morning. Waking up at the same time every day is ideal because your body will naturally adjust to it. Instead, focus on waking up with enough time to get ready.
How can I make fall mornings more enjoyable?
Wake up with enough time, drink something warm, open your curtains, move your body before work, and allow yourself one minute to relax before you leave.
How do I stop hitting snooze in the fall?
Place your alarm on the other side of your room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Prepare as much as you can the night before so getting out of bed becomes easier.
What foods should I eat for breakfast in the fall?
Eat simple breakfast foods that you enjoy. Prepare breakfast as much as you can the night before so it’s easy to make in the morning.
Should I work out before work?
No, but you should move your body before work. Stretch, take a quick walk, do yoga, or complete a few bodyweight exercises.
How do I have a productive morning?
Don’t try to do everything. Wake up with enough time, decide your top work priorities for the day, stay off your phone for at least twenty minutes, and prepare as much as you can the night before.
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