Being ready for work AND getting to hit the snooze button isn't too good to be true after all!
Let’s face it: getting up for work is hard no matter what shift you work or what your sleep schedule is like. I can go to bed and wake up at exactly the right times every day of the week, and sometimes I’ll still be tired and tempted to sleep in – meaning I either miss getting to eat breakfast beforehand, end up risking looking less than my best, or sometimes both depending on how long I choose to lay in bed. If this sounds a little (or a lot) like you, no worries. After years of testing different life hacks to keep me sleeping as long as I can, I’m here to share them with you. Here are 7 life hacks to get you ready for work quickly with minimal effort.
1. Shower/bathe at night
For some reason showering goes by a lot quicker at night than it does in the morning. Trust me, it’s much easier to stay up for an extra 15-20 minutes than it is to get up early to shower. It will be too tempting to skip the shower and go straight for the dry shampoo, which unfortunately cannot be pulled off by everyone after it's been a couple days.
2. Lay out your work outfit the night before
Check the weather app so you can plan accordingly, then hang your outfit outside of your closet so you can just go right to it in the morning instead of rummaging through all of your clothes and taking up too much time picking a different outfit. If you wear a uniform, plan to have it set out so you can just grab it and change into it first thing – no need to tear apart your dresser or laundry basket looking for your work uniform!
3. Plan your meals for the week
Now, I’ll admit I’m no master at meal planning myself; I’m not the type to cook all of my meals in advance, but doing this is a great way to shave off time spent getting ready either the night before or the morning of. Instead of making lunch before going to bed or after getting up, pick a day in the week to cook some meals beforehand. If you’re strapped for time, purposely buy foods that are individually prepackaged so you can throw them in your lunch bag. Add a sandwich and you’ll be good to go!
4. Minimize your makeup routine
If you wear makeup every day, consider minimizing your daily makeup routine to only the essentials like concealer and mascara (or whatever is essential for you) or just not wearing makeup at all. As long as your face is clean, it will be presentable for the job. It’s simple math: a facial wash and moisturizer application will be significantly less time-consuming than layering on 10+ makeup products!
5. Have to-go breakfasts on hand
Cut your breakfast routine in half by having to-go options for breakfast. Protein shakes, granola bars, yogurt cups, fruit, and nut and berry mixes are all easy to grab and go. If you’re craving something savory, a microwaveable breakfast sandwich should do the trick. I wouldn’t recommend a microwaveable breakfast every day, but it’s a quick fix for those days when you’re running a little late. It’s better than skipping breakfast altogether!
6. Pick simple hairstyles
It’s always satisfying to have a good hair day, but sometimes it’s more satisfying to sleep in! If you can help it, go for a simple hairstyle instead of a complex one to save time getting ready in the morning. A sleek ponytail or a little bit of hair gel will go a long way.
7. Turn off your phone before bed
I know; it’s hard to part with your phone when you take it everywhere you go. But constantly using your phone, especially on sites that use a lot of blue light like Facebook and Twitter, are actually keeping you up a lot later into the night! Turn off your phone about an hour before bed and leave it to charge in a separate room. You may find that you’re able to fall asleep earlier and either have more time to sleep or wake up earlier.
Do you have any extra tips for getting ready quickly? Let us know in the comment section!