If you are not a morning person, you may not know what it feels like to wake up with the sun still behind you. I’m not just talking about the sun here; morning can be a cruel and difficult time for those of us who work irregular hours.
Here are some helpful ways to make mornings less painful.
1. Ditch the alarm. The most important time is the morning hours. Grab an actual cup of coffee, sip it and pad it away while you get ready. Did you know that a cup can keep your heart rate down? It also helps the blood to satisfy oxygen to the brain and other organs in your body.
2. Take a small second shower. Allow me to translate this for you: the average adult urinates in 1 minute and the infant can expect to do this in 1 hour and a half. Instead of just watching television, grab a cup of coffee and slowly sip it… bitterness free. Carbonated beverage can be even better. There, I said it.
3. Take your time. Don’t be in a hurry to get out of the house. If the kids are still small, enjoy the time to simply play with them. Family time is rejuvenating and not as stressful as night time.
4. Find a flexible schedule. Now that you are a mom, you have to work out a routine that works for you. No longer do you have 10 hours in the day for work, then maybe a bit more of the night, then 10 hours in the afternoon and, before you know it, the day is gone.
5. Allow the children to do most of the chores. Sure they can and it can break your heart to see them spread their things all over the house when they only take a small amount of tasks each day. But they will grow and learn how life works. Plus, by saving the housework you are saving yourself a lot of money.
6. Don’t spend all your money on clothes. You can get a while stylish, especially if you are pregnant, but you don’t have to spend all your money on maternity wear and travel just so your stretch mark will be removed.
7. Make it simple. You probably haven’t always been the most creative person in the world, but simple things help you reduce stress levels. Find the things that aren’t so complex or complicated, and do it with style. After you have a few of these things around you, your house will have an entirely new look. Think about it, you never go on a vacation that involves lots of fancy and expensive shopping.
8. Purchase just slightly more than you need. Have you ever wondered why buying 4 ounces of diapers once means so much to some of us? It’s because we can’t just allow these things to disappear. So stop buying so much and buy a few extra pair for Christmas.
9. Carry a colorful pouch. Carrying a lighter, color-themed purse helps you feel more in control in or out of the car. For about the same price as an umbrella, we can get the kinds of small accessories that add to our break- Olives and marbles and mirrors make you feel better as well, not to mention getting you out of the house for a little while. Don’t let the purses, leather jackets and ever-tired hoodies and scarves entice you into the mall.
10. Do many things each day. The best part of being pregnant is the ability to start a new tradition with our families. Make a night of reading instead of watching TV every night, put together an impromptu picnic at picnics around the kids (or the hubbies or the mom-in- laws), and share your lunch with your friends.
So start picking up a new and exciting activity for you and the little mine. You deserve it.