The snooze button is your enemy. Just kidding, kind of. Hitting the snooze button once or twice is totally fine, but when you start hitting it five or six times, that's when it becomes a problem. Trust me, I know. I am definitely guilty of this myself. But once I established a morning routine for myself, it became a lot easier to get out of bed in the morning and start my day stress-free. Here are a few tips that might help you do the same:

1) Give yourself enough time to wake up gradually

This one is key. If you're like me and you have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, give yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour to wake up gradually. That means no sudden jolts awake from an alarm clock blaring in your ear. Instead, slowly open your eyes and take some deep breaths before getting out of bed. Start by setting your alarm for 10 minutes earlier than usual and see how that goes. 

2) Set some realistic goals for the day

Once you're up and moving, it's time to start thinking about what you need to accomplish that day. But instead of setting a long list of daunting tasks for yourself, try to focus on just one or two things that you really want to get done. That way, even if you don't get everything on your list done, you can still feel accomplished at the end of the day. 

3) Make time for breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a reason. Eating a nutritious breakfast will give you sustained energy throughout the day and help you stay focused on whatever task is at hand. If you're not a big fan of cooking in the morning, Meal prep some simple breakfast options like overnight oats or hard-boiled eggs ahead of time so that all you have to do is grab and go in the morning. 

4) Get moving

Exercise is a great way to release endorphins and start your day on a high note. Even if you're not normally an early riser, try going for a quick run or doing some yoga as soon as you wake up. You don't have to go all out—just do something to get your blood flowing and your body moving. You'll be surprised at how much better you'll feel afterwards. 

5) Take some time for yourself

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to forget to slow down and take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally. That's why it's so important to take some time each day to check in with ourselves and do something that brings us joy. Whether it's reading a book, taking a nice hot bath, or taking the dog for a walk, find something that calming and stick to it every morning." 

Starting your day off with a relaxed mind can set the tone for the rest of your day and make it infinitely more manageable—trust me, I know from experience. If you're looking to establish a morning routine but don't know where to start, try following these five tips! And remember, be patient with yourself—it takes time to form new habits.