When you're not a morning person, working a 9 to 5 job can be such a challenge, and when stress comes into the equation (like during those busy seasons), the struggle is very real! Here are just a few problems you might have and what you can do to finally turn those days around:
Problem #1: You don’t get enough sleep. Stress can make you drink more caffeinated drinks, overeat, and even get insomnia from all the worrying, which means you don't get enough sleep. This also makes you crankier and heightens your stress levels (it's a vicious cycle!).
The Solution: Go to bed earlier, so you can sleep an hour longer. If you think that sleep is for the weak, think again. Sleeping the recommended six to seven hours every night can do wonders for your health. Going to bed earlier than usual will let you squeeze in the hours that you need. This helps your body recuperate, so you wake up with enough energy for the rest of the day.
Problem #2: You skip exercising. Feeling mentally drained and physically exhausted, even if you're doing a sedentary desk job all day? Don't worry—you're not just tamad. A lot of people feel the same way when they're stressed AF. But you have to realize that exercise is important as it helps you have the energy to last from 9 to 5.
The Solution: Take baby steps. It's always best to get your body moving first thing in the morning to get some happy hormones (or endorphins). Start with light exercise, and gradually challenge your body to get your heart rate going. Maybe try jumping up and down, doing some squats, or even lifting your laundry or a pile of books at first. Then, go for a run, or finish a whole body workout. Whatever it is, just make sure it gets your blood pumping.
Problem #3: Your emotions are getting the better of you. They're making you feel hate when you realize a new day is about to start when you wake up, and sometimes they make you just want to curl up in a ball and bawl. They're clouding your judgment, fueling fights with people who are actually comforting you at home or helping you out at work, or making you feel helpless.
The Solution: Don't bottle them in! Singing while taking your morning shower can actually do you some good. While it may not always be as great for your housemates’ eardrums, singing helps you get all those emotions out, and it has been shown to relieve the body of stress and improve heart health. And you know what goes great with singing? Dancing! Having a fun, upbeat playlist can help make the task of getting out of bed a lot more fun. Do it alone or with a dance buddy. It can be your partner, your kids, or even your dog! Either way you’re sure to get your feet tapping and your blood pumping as you prepare for the day.
Problem #4: You worry too much. There's the project or presentation that's due soon, the annoying officemate who can't get her job right no matter how many chances you give her, the bills you need to pay, the dates you keep missing with bae—who wouldn't flip, amiright?!
The Solution: Take a breather. Namaste the stress away just before opening your e-mails, and take deep, long breaths for five to ten minutes. Clear your head and center yourself before you get back to the grind. This can feel awkward at first, so we suggest downloading an audiobook to guide you. Besides, everybody could do with a lifting voice in their head that reminds them to breathe in aaand breathe out.
Problem #5: You skip breakfast. No matter how busy and career-driven you are, you should never make excuses for skipping the most important meal of the day. Overnight, your body loses fuel—as if you’ve gone on a fast. That’s why it’s called break-fast. Get it? You have to break the fast.
The Solution: Look for an option that suits your on-the-go lifestyle. A good, nutritious breakfast helps increase your memory, concentration, and improves your overall mood. If you have no time to cook, there are always grab-and-go options like a bottle of Quaker Good Start that you can get at the nearest convenience store. It combines the creamy goodness of milk and the healthy benefits of oats! This delicious drink is high in calcium, and it's rich in fiber, which helps make you feel full. So load up that empty tummy, and give your body the fuel that it needs to power your day. See how much of a difference it makes!