The Most Stressful Time of the Day Is . . . 8:15 A.M.
It doesn't matter if you're a morning person or a night person . . . MORNINGS are more stressful than evenings.
A new survey says that "the most stressful time of the day" is . . . 8:15 in the morning. (Which is why I'm here to help you through it.)
That makes sense. 8:15 a.m. usually involves some combination of: Getting ready in the morning . . . helping OTHERS get ready . . . preparing and eating breakfast . . . commuting . . . helping OTHERS get to work or school . . . and generally operating before the caffeine kicks in.
On top of the usual running around, mornings are also more likely to bring unexpected challenges. The average person estimates that they lose 20 minutes and 28 seconds, on average, to morning chaos that's mostly out of their control.
So, here are FIVE THINGS that can help you make mornings go smoother . . . especially if you have kids.
1. Prepare the night before. Lay out clothes . . . pack school bags . . . prepare lunches . . . and set up a breakfast plan the night before. You may even consider showering in the evening.
2. Establish and Stick to a Routine. The more you're able to turn your mornings into a repeatable mental checklist, the easier it'll be to keep things moving, and avoid forgetting things. (Or THINKING you forgot something.)
3. Get Up Before the Kids. If possible, wake up at least 30 minutes before the kids . . . so that you have time to get yourself ready in peace.
4. Delegate Responsibilities. Assign age-appropriate tasks to your children. This teaches responsibility AND also lightens your load.
5. Limit Technology in the Morning. It's better to keep mornings free from the distractions of TV and tablets. Everyone should focus on getting ready instead of being sidetracked.
(Last month, there was another study where researchers found that 5:00 a.m. is the WORST time of the day.)
Originally posted on April 16th, 2024