Life
9 Things To Do At Night Speed Up Your Morning Routine
Mornings suck. I mean, I don’t know how many hours of my life have been spent running around like a crazy person in the early dawn, trying to get dressed and out the door in a timely manner. How many times have I driven halfway to work only to wonder, suddenly, if the hair straightener was still on (and certain to burn down my entire apartment)? Fortunately, there are many things to do at night so you can get ready as fast as possible in the morning.
It’s taken a lot of time — and probably entirely too much thought — but I have managed to streamline my evening routine so that the morning rush is a little less sucky. Because I’m not going to perform optimally before the coffee kicks in, preparing as much as possible the night before just makes sense. Whether it’s selecting an outfit or preparing breakfast, it’s easier if my morning decisions have been pre-selected.
So here’s a roundup of the best ways to prepare for the morning rush beforehand, so that you aren’t running around the house trying to track down a missing shoe one minute before you have to leave for work. Mornings may never be stress-free times of zen-like bliss, but at least you can carve out a minute or two to enjoy your coffee before the day really gets going.
1Make A Fun Playlist-Timer
Follow Stylecaster's lead and create a playlist of pump-up jams to play when you're getting dressed in the morning. Pick some favorites that get your body moving and shake the sleep away. Bonus: the playlist can act as a timer so you don't spend too long dawdling over any one task.
2Make DIY Oatmeal Packs
Buzzfeed advises making your own oatmeal packs the night before. The oatmeal, dried fruit, and spices (such as cinnamon) can be parceled out into individual baggies or containers so that all you have to do in the morning is add milk, heat, and chow down. Hot breakfast in a minute.
3Prep The Coffee
Prepare your coffee maker the night before, like the Huffington Post advises. You'll save a minute or two of fussing with the beans and water ratios. Or just opt for iced coffee to get an instant caffeine fix in the a.m.
4Check The Weather
Knowing tomorrow's weather ahead of time will help you pick out an outfit and pack an umbrella if necessary, says Today. Of course you can never be 100 percent certain, but having an idea that you might need your rain boots can only help.
5Organize Your Products
Make sure your lotions and potions are accessible and organized the night before, says Lifehack. This will save you from having to rummage around for hairspray or sunblock when the clock is ticking.
6Fix Your Hair
Few things are more frustrating than hair that just won't dry when you're pressed for time in the morning. Take a tip from Elle and do your hair the night before so you can wake up with presentable locks. Plus, you won't have to worry about leaving on the hair straightener after you leave in the morning.
7Pick Out Your Outfit
This tip is an oldie but goodie. Assemble your entire outfit the night before, like InStyle suggests. You can plan down to the accessories if you like to make your morning that much easier.
8Choose Slip-On Shoes
When assembling your outfit, opt for shoes that you can just slip on and go, as Refinery29 advises. Who wants to fuss with impossible buckles on sandals while half-asleep?
9Pick Out A Bold Lip Shade
To keep your makeup routine as simple as possible, start with a bold lip, like Total Beauty suggests. It's a quick way to wake up your look, so you can just add a few more touches of makeup (if you want) and GO. Bonus points if you pick out the lipstick the night before, too.
Images: milanmarkovic78/Fotolia; Giphy (9)
