There are “morning people,” and then there are those of us who, well, aren’t that into the whole “waking up” thing. Mornings can be tough; you hit the snooze and beg for just nine more minutes of shut-eye, then shuffle to the kitchen for coffee and hope the caffeine works fast and even then, you might feel sluggish and tired all day.

But mornings don’t have to be so awful! They can set the tone for a productive, inspiring and motivating day with just a few tweaks to your AM routine. Aveda’s Wellness Coordinator, Jessica Erickson, shared her top tips for enjoying a more energized morning, even if you’re not a morning person.

1. Get plenty of sleep. It sounds like the most basic of rules, but getting a full seven or eight hours really affects how you feel in the morning. If you have trouble drifting off to dreamland, examine your sleep space. Jessica says the key to great sleep is a comfortable sleep environment: think a comfortable bed, a dark and cool room and perhaps even a sound machine or a humidifier. Add a touch of aromatherapy via an essential oil diffuser; we like lavender and patchouli to calm and soothe the senses pre-sleep.

2. Invest in a new alarm clock. While we love the winter season, it can be really hard to adjust to those super-dark, cold mornings. Try a “sunrise” alarm clock that mimics the morning light to ease yourself into morning and to send a message to your brain that it’s time to seize the day.

3. Don’t hit the snooze! It’s so tempting to stay in bed a few minutes longer, but the truth is that hitting the snooze doesn’t actually give you the restful sleep you crave. Set your alarm for when you know you’ll get up and stick to it.

4. Drink water before coffee. We’re not saying you’re not allowed to have coffee in the AM — in fact, there are a plethora of health benefits from a daily cup of coffee. However, rehydrate your body after hours of sleep with a glass of water, then fill up your favorite mug. Don’t forget to stay hydrated throughout the day to keep your energy up.

5. Eat a healthy breakfast. You probably don’t need us to tell you that breakfast is the most important part of the day and a key to a great morning. Jessica recommends chowing down on a breakfast that includes protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats to start your day, but you don’t have to whip up a gourmet meal when you’re trying to get out the door.

A few easy options:
- Eggs with toast and jam
- Toast with peanut butter and fruit
- Yogurt, fruit and granola (make your own to control the sugar!)

6. Get some exercise. You don’t need to get up two hours earlier than normal to get a workout in — even just a quick two-minute stretch session can be beneficial and encourage your heart and lungs to get working. Hello, endorphins! Morning exercise can be as simple as taking your pet for a walk around the block, and that burst of early activity can improve your entire day and get you ready to take on your to-do list.

(Image courtesy Instagram user @scent.of.lavender.)