7 Tips to Brighten Up Your Weekday
Let’s face it: most of us don’t like waking up bright and early every morning. From waking up groggy to sitting in traffic on the way to work, it is no wonder that we get the weekday blues. However, it’s easy to combat the 9-to-5 dread by doing a few things as you start your day. Here are seven tips to help you brighten up your weekday—and perhaps help you become more productive.
1. Wake up to some music.
Instead of setting your alarm clock to the radio, make your own music by selecting the songs you want to wake up to. While the radio is not a bad idea, you may find that many of the songs played don’t quite suit your tastes, so having a preset playlist will make your waking-up experience much more pleasant. Just make sure not to choose anything too soothing, or else you’ll fall back asleep!
2. Get pumped!
At first, it might be a struggle just to get up, but morning exercises not only wake you up, they also make you more focused and likely to perform better later in the day. While you do not necessarily have to do full-on workouts, 15 to 30 minutes of cardio or core exercises should do the trick. Remember not to over-exert yourself, or else you’ll end up more tired than you were before.
- Spend some extra time in the bathroom.
Give yourself some “me-time” while freshening up for the day. Take an extra five minutes in the shower to wash out the sleepiness in your body. Not only will it feel good, but you’ll be more relaxed before heading out. If you are able to get up early enough for those extra minutes, the experience will be worthwhile.
- Go ahead—have that extra sip of coffee!
While it is not recommended to drink more than four cups of coffee per day, having another cup before work won’t hurt you. Coffee has plenty of antioxidants, and it also provides a brief boost in memory and an overall increase in productivity at work. Just remember to limit your intake to no more than two cups of coffee in the morning.
- Laugh out loud.
Right before heading out, take 5 to 10 minutes to read the newspaper’s Comics section or watch a funny video online (cat videos, anyone?). Humor has been shown to elevate endorphin and dopamine levels, which are “feel-good” chemicals that help you relax and reduce stress. You will be in good spirits once you leave your house.
- Crank the stereo.
Just like your alarm clock, make your own music playlist for your car on the way to work. It will help you pass the time in traffic, as well as take your mind off of the rush-hour stress. Jam to some upbeat pop music or be entertained by an exciting audiobook. The choice is yours!
- Keep a clear mind.
Trust us: sitting for minutes, even hours, in traffic while going to work is super frustrating. Try to remember that it’s only temporary. Understand that the other cars on the road are also pressed to make it to work, and that there is really nothing you can do to change the flow on the freeway. Staying positive and keeping an open mind is bound to help you face the day with a smile on your face.
