Six hacks to make the start of your working day easier and less stressful

Making the start of your working day easier and less stressful - here's six great hacks

This is a cartoon illustrating working
Make your working days less stressful with these tips. Image: kreatikar / Pixabay.

It’s likely we’ve all been there at some point – waking up early in the morning and preparing ourselves for the working day but finding it all a bit of a chore.

That’s because, sometimes, all we want to do is hit snooze and go back to sleep.

There are some things, however, which you can do to make that early-morning start before work or other commitments that little bit easier.

Check out these six hacks which are here to help.

Prepare the night before

Laying out the outfit you wish to wear the next day (if wearing a uniform is not a requirement) will save time and stress in the morning, especially if your work/study institution adheres to a particular dress code.

Preparing your bag ready to pick up and go also helps prevent that last-minute rush, and any other items and tools that you need for the day.

Meal prep

Meal prepping is not just for those who are dieting or regular gym goers. Preparing your lunch, and even breakfast, for the next day will cut down on the time it takes to do so during your morning routine.

Plus, meal prepping ensures that you’re not just eating soggy sandwiches for lunch everyday.

The Meal Prep King provides some healthy, nutritious and delicious meal prep ideas to get you started.


Establish a routine with consistency

It is inevitable that sometimes we will hit the snooze button on our alarms, which is why it is especially important that we establish ourselves a consistent and reasonable routine to help prevent those late days and the dreaded morning rush.

It takes roughly 66 days to form a new habit and maintain consistency with it. Going to bed at the same time every night, ensuring yourself eight to 10 hours sleep per night, helps your body get the needed duration of rest it needs whilst also preparing your body to wake up at the right time, bright and early.

For a 9am workday start, going to bed at 10pm and arising at 6am when the sun comes up will ensure that you’re not rushing to work – you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. (This is dependent on everybody’s individual start times and working life).

Task listing

Writing lists may not work for everyone, but they are an effective visual cue to help you get everything done that you need to.

Writing a to-do list the night before will help you feel more organised for the day ahead and release all your thoughts and stress about the day onto paper (or on your phone/laptop).

Staying hydrated

Staying hydrated throughout the day is highly important for health and wellness. Carrying a water bottle seems like an obvious thing to do, but putting your bottle in the fridge the night before means its cold and ready to go whenever you are.

You can purchase water bottles on Amazon for Prime delivery.

Find time to relax

Most importantly, find time to unwind and relax. Having a moment of calm is what our bodies and minds need during a busy day, so ensure yourself time to relax.

Reading a book, meditating, listening to music, going for a walk – whatever activity you do to unwind, find time for it no matter what.