Summer’s over (well almost) and school is back in session, so it’s time to say goodbye to leisurely vacation mornings. Pulling yourself, and your family, together for work and school may always be a bit of a challenge, but it’s especially hard after a relaxing weekend. To start you week off right and keep your stress levels and blood pressure in check, try these tips for sailing out the door with a smile on your face.
- Pick an easy outfit. Save the suit with the fabulous blouse and the tiny buttons for a Wednesday when you’re already in the groove. Select simple, pull-on knit pants, skirts and tops for you and your kids — no more than two pieces — plus shoes and undergarments. Pop on a pair of earrings, and you’re done.
- Slim down your routine. Choose an easy, sleek hairstyle for the day. A ponytail, or single braid neatly tucked under and pinned will do. Forget the bumping, curling and twisting. If you wear makeup, pick up a CC Cream. (One swipe evens skin tone, blots oil and gives you color, sunscreen and glow.) Put on a little mascara, lip gloss and go.
- Start them off right. Teaching little ones the art of a routine for each morning will not only make your life easier, it will help them learn important organizational skills. Try setting up a dry erase board (water-based markers of course) in their room with their personal, morning check list—brush teeth, braid hair, pick up knapsack. Walk them through the night before.
- Simplify breakfast. Pre-pack the ingredients of the family breakfast smoothie in the blender the night before. Using Greek yogurt, along with a selection of fresh fruits will ensure everyone starts the day full and energized. You can pick up coffee at work.
- Set a timer. If you tend to get bogged down in the morning, set a timer or an alarm to give yourself a 15-minute warning to get out the door.
- Tune out. Get rid of distractions like the TV, IPad, or computer. Focus on the task at hand—getting ready with time to spare.
- Make a launch pad. Pick out a lovely, lacquer or metal tray and place it on a surface near the door. Place your keys, cell phone, kid’s phone, sunglasses, and other small key items there for easy pick-up on the way out.
- Pack up: Don’t even think about packing backpacks, lunches, purses and totebags in the morning. Invest a half hour putting things together on Sunday night. It will be worth
- Plan to succeed. Don’t start your week filled with anxiety about what you can and cannot accomplish. On Sunday afternoon or evening, make a list of your top five priorities for the week—at work and at home. List a another five things that you feel you must do, along with small steps to take to get things done. Spend a few moments thinking through your plans. Work your list during the week and you feel more focused and less stressed.
- Go to bed. Last, but certainly not least. Do not make any big plans for Sunday night. Start settling yourself and your family down at least an hour or so before bedtime to make sure everyone can get a healthy seven hours of rest.
Have a magnificent Monday!
About Fierce Fridays — Tips for Weekend Well-Being
We each cherish those precious days off at the end of the week, but increasingly those of us who are charter members of the sisterhood of the stressed and overworked are losing our Saturday and Sunday leisure time to weekend work and domestic duties.
To make sure that you do something every weekend that’s just for you, we’ll be sharing a little advice to make those 48 hours a great time to recharge your batteries, bring a little good news into your life, or discover a quick and easy way to improve your health.