Stress-free mornings: how to get your day off to a flying start

Early mornings aren’t fun. Sitcoms and films may love to show families gathered around the table to eat a full breakfast, people enjoying pre-work gym sessions and flawlessly polished supermodel mums depositing their kids safely outside school before 9 am…

…but for most of us, the reality isn’t quite so picture-perfect.

It’s more a case of quickly forcing some cereal in everyone and running around like a headless chicken to get everything organised.

So, to help you bring some Hollywood-style calm to your morning, I am sharing a few top tips that’ll get everyone looking presentable and heading out the door on time every single day.

#1: put some prep work in during the evenings

Give yourself less to do in the morning (and more time to knock back a few coffees) by putting some prep work in the night before.

Pack bags, sort out lunches and figure out who needs to be where for what time. You might resent giving up half an hour of your evening to begin with, but believe me, the sacrifice is worth it.

#2: get yourself ready first

Before you start trying to get everyone else in fighting shape, look after yourself first by streamlining your mornings grooming routine.

Skip a full face of makeup for some moisturising BB cream or cut time with your hair by styling it with a large curling wand at night (Mark Hill shares lots of tips online for expertly curling your locks). You’ll wake up with perfectly undone bedhead waves that’ll last all day.

#3: learn some quick, easy breakfast cheats

Whatever you’ve got planned for the day, you all need a good, nutritious breakfast to set you up right – but it’s one of the first things we tend to skip on busy mornings.

To guarantee you eat right, make a week’s worth of healthy breakfasts on Sunday afternoons. From granola bars to frittatas and oat pots, there are plenty of on-the-go options to suit every taste.

#4: blast your favourite song

Sick of seeing grumpy faces and hearing everyone moaning about being tired? Force yourselves into a good mood by blasting your favourite band or singer as you get ready.

Let’s be honest, though, you probably won’t be allowed to pick the song (it’ll most likely be your kid’s current favourite that’ll win the battle), but at least it’ll put a smile on their faces in the mornings.

#5: leave yourself notes

Get into the habit of leaving yourself reminders and notes (hanging a chalkboard beside the front door is a good shout) so that you don’t get struck down by the ‘what have I forgotten to do’ fear.

It’ll mean you’re far less likely to make little mistakes, like accidentally leaving a school permission form behind or overlooking that lunchtime doctor’s appointment you’ve had booked for months.

What’s your secret for enjoying an organised, stress-free morning? Does such a thing even exist? Leave a comment and let me know.

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