You are not alone if you have had a difficult time adjusting to a morning routine lately. With kids all across the nation back in school full time and many workers leaving the convenience of the home office and returning to the workplace, the last few weeks have been a time of transition for many Americans. Whatever your morning routine was prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be finding it difficult to jump right back in.

The good news is that this presents you with the perfect opportunity to establish a new routine. Here are a few tips to help you to reinvent the best morning routine this fall.

Avoid Hitting the Snooze Button

The worst thing that you can do when your alarm goes off is to hit the snooze button. Every time that you reach for this button, you run the risk of interrupting the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep. This interruption will make you more lethargic as you slog through the morning routine. Instead, you should be realistic about when you need to get out of bed and set your alarm for that time. Do not give yourself the option of hitting that snooze button just to prolong the agony.

See the Light

One of the first things that you should do after waking up each day is to expose yourself to natural light. Morning light works to reset your circadian rhythm, helping to regulate the normal wake and sleep patterns. Even a brief exposure to light can help you to wake up and boost your performance throughout the morning. This task can become more difficult as the fall stretches into winter and there is less available light in the morning. In this case, a bright lamp or lightbox can help to provide the same benefits.

Prep the Night Before

A solid morning routine starts the night before. You can set yourself up for success by doing as much as you can before you fall into bed each night. Maybe this means choosing your clothes for the following day or prepping your breakfast or lunch. This is an especially good idea if you tend to have more energy in the evening hours than you do in the morning. Making it as easy as possible for your morning will go a long way in helping you to deal with the anticipated chaos when you wake up.

Get Moving

Getting your body moving is an ideal way to jumpstart your day. If you do not have time for a long workout, some simple stretching exercises will do wonders in increasing your energy and getting you ready for the day ahead. You will feel much better if you work up a sweat before you dive into your normal routine. As a bonus, a little exercise will aid in regulating your sleep and wake cycles.

Drink Some Water

Before you even think about reaching for that first cup of coffee, make it a point to drink a big glass of water. Replenishing your hydration stores as early as possible will help you to feel better throughout the day. It will also give you a good head start in making sure that you are properly hydrated.

Fuel Up

It may sound cliche but breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. Even if you do not feel like eating a heavy meal so early, it is a good idea to at least put something in your body. This will stimulate your metabolism and make you feel better throughout the day.

Incorporate Things That You Love

If you need a little extra motivation to get out of bed, consider incorporating the things that you love most into your morning routine. Perhaps this is simply a cup of your favorite coffee? Or maybe you want to allow for time to read the newspaper or anything else that you find enjoyable? Having something to look forward to will make it easier for you to start your day with renewed vigor.

Keep in mind that it takes a few weeks for something to become a habit. Give yourself the grace to ease into the new routine until it becomes second nature.