Are You Dressed, Fed And Ready To Rock? Tips For A Stress-Free Morning Routine

How did you start your day today? Did your morning go smoothly or was it a mad panic? Your morning sets the tone for your day and a simple, effective morning routine can make all the difference. There are three basic elements to a good morning routine: dressed, fed and ready to rock! Here are some ideas to get you started:

DRESSED Depending on the way you spend your day, 'dressed' can mean anything from 'not naked' to 'ready for a photo shoot'! Only you know what level of polish you need on any given day, but chances are there’s room to simplify the process. Begin the night before by laying out your clothes for the next day (and, if you have children, have them do the same) so that you can eliminate the 'nothing to wear' panic in the morning.

FED Breakfast is an essential part of a morning routine but it's often the first thing to go when time is tight. Even if you're not a breakfast person, find a way to get some nutrition to jumpstart your energy levels. Yoghurt and fruit, cereal, smoothies and protein shakes are all quick, easy and manageable. Make breakfast easier by getting it started in the evening. This could mean anything from laying out bowls, spoons and cereal to cooking porridge in the crockpot overnight. If there are packed lunches to be made, prepare as much as you can the night before.

READY TO ROCK! This simply means that you are ready to face the day - you have the energy and gear to do whatever you need to do during the day, whether at home or in the workplace. Begin the night before by putting everything you need to take with you in the morning in one place for easy access. Backpacks and briefcases can be packed the night before.

Being well rested definitely helps make mornings a nicer place to be so do try to get to bed at a reasonable hour. If you're wondering how you can fit in a good night's sleep as well as preparing for tomorrow, it might be time to simplify the rest of your day too!

5 Magic questions to help streamline the morning rush

• What can you do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier?
• What is one thing that often stresses you out in the morning and how can you eliminate it?
• What are you doing for others that they could be doing for themselves?
• What can you do to build a little joy into your morning?
• Are there bigger steps you could take to simplify your mornings? (eg decluttering your wardrobe, upgrading your weekly routines so that you have plenty of clean clothes and food in the house...)

Ultimately, the key to a stress-free morning is simplicity and the less you try to squeeze in the better. Do what you can the night before and pare your morning activities back the basics: dressed, fed and ready to rock!