Buzz! That’s your alarm clock, waking you from sweet dreams and forcing you to start another day. Running short on time and energy? Simple steps can make the whole morning experience easier. The result? You can look and feel your best with minimal time and effort. Here are 10 tips to boost your body and skin when you need it most!
1. Plan ahead the night before.
When it’s late at night and you’re exhausted from a long day, you probably want to just crawl into bed without worrying about tomorrow. But setting out your clothes, purse, briefcase, makeup and other morning essentials the night before will save you time when morning rolls around. You’ll be less stressed, less rushed and have less anxiety that you may have forgotten something.
2. Open your shades, blinds or curtains ASAP.
Some experts suggest going to bed at night with your shades, blinds or curtains partway open. This way, as the sun rises and light streams into your room in the morning, it’ll stimulate you to wake right up.
Sleep with your window coverings closed? Throw them open as soon as you get out of bed. Sunlight will slow your body’s production of melatonin — a chemical known for causing sleepiness — and increase adrenaline — a chemical that makes you awake, alert and energized.
3. Get in some exercise.
The last thing you probably feel like doing when you drag yourself out of bed is vigorous physical activity. But really, it can give you a major boost — just what you need to get going in the morning. Exercise increases “levels of energizing brain chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin,” writes Sari Harrar in Good Housekeeping.
Plus, one study of business travelers found that those who exercised did 61 percent better on cognitive tests than those who didn’t exercise, reports Harrar. So exercise can set the stage for focus and concentration at work.
Another good reason to exercise in the morning: If you wait until later in the day, other tasks (or excuses) may creep up that prevent you from fitting your workout into your schedule. No wonder “people who work out in the morning are more likely to stick with their exercise regimen,” Reader’s Digest reports.
4. Hit the shower.
An invigorating shower is a great way to wake up and wash up for the day. Make sure the water’s not too hot, as this can dry out your skin and cause redness.
Some body washes and scrubs are perfect for morning because of their energizing aromas and invigorating effects:
5. While in the shower, multitask.
To make the most of your shower time — especially if others are forming a line outside the bathroom door waiting for their turns! — let your shampoo sit in your hair while you wash your body. Then, apply conditioner to your hair as you shave your legs.
Another time-saving idea? Opt for products that do double duty:
6. Wake up your face.
Clear out the crusts of sleep that form in your eyes, and get your face ready to “face” the day! Our skin still produces oil at night, plus bacteria and dead skin cells can accumulate as we sleep. Therefore, proper a.m. cleansing is essential.
In addition, washing your face and splashing water on it has an invigorating wake-up effect. One study found that “volunteers who washed their faces after napping felt more awake than those who just took a nap,” writes Harrar. So, if washing your face can boost wakefulness after a nap, it’ll also help energize you in the morning.
A few face washes to try:
7. Wake up your eyes.
Eyes looking puffy or saggy after a poor night’s sleep? Dark circles dragging you down? Simple treatment products can reduce these telltale signs of tiredness:
8. Eat breakfast and hydrate.
Just as a car needs proper fuel to run, your body does, too. “People who skip breakfast struggle more with fatigue later in the day than do people who take time to eat,” Elizabeth Somer, a registered dietician, tells CNN. Even if you’re trying to cut calories and watch your weight, having breakfast is crucial to your health. Plus, it prevents you from becoming famished and overeating later on.
Experts advise skipping sugar-laden, carbohydrate-rich foods, like donuts or sugary cereals. Although these foods may provide a quick boost of energy, they’ll cause blood sugar levels to plummet later, resulting in an energy crash. Caffeine has the same effect. A better bet is to have a mix of proteins — which help you feel fuller longer — and carbohydrates for quick energy. Easy, healthy breakfasts include toast smeared with peanut butter, or low-fat yogurt mixed with fruit and granola.
Also, be sure you hydrate by drinking at least eight ounces of water. “You’ve been fasting all night and you wake each morning dehydrated,” warns Reader’s Digest. Dehydration can cause low energy levels and poor performance on cognitive tests. Can’t quit your caffeine habit? Drink even more water, because caffeine acts as a diuretic.
9. Indulge in aromatherapy.
Don’t underestimate the power of scent! Essential oils are composed of phytochemicals from plants, fruits and flowers. These oils quickly evaporate into the air but leave behind their scents. They can also be applied to (and absorbed by) the skin. To rev up energy and stimulate alertness, seek out citrus or spice-based scents, such as lime, grapefruit, mint, ginger, orange or basil, suggests Carolyn Kepes of the Web site, Living Naturally.
Before heading out the door, try a spritz of energizing perfume or body splash:
10. Apply key products for a polished look.
A morning makeup routine doesn’t need to be long or complicated. All you need is a few key products to help you look awake, alert and bright-eyed. Here’s a sampling:
- MD Skincare All in One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 hydrates your skin, provides SPF 15 protection against harmful UV rays and helps to even out your skin tone for a radiant complexion. This multi-tasker is a must for your makeup bag, eliminating the need for separate moisturizers, sunscreens and foundations.
- Stila Convertible Color is a creamy formula, available in eight pretty shades. Apply it to lips and cheeks for a quick, easy flush of color.
- Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die for Mascara conditions and strengthens lashes while making them look longer and fuller, defined and voluminous. Simply swiping on mascara can make a big difference for your eyes!
These 10 simple tips will get you going in the morning so you can head out feeling energized and looking great.
See also:
Running Late? Top 10 Tips for Speedy Skincare
A Good Night’s Sleep for Great Skin
Facial Cleansing for Fabulous Skin
Yoga for a Healthy Complexion