The Best Schedule for a 5am-er with Roomies

Don't worry! It's super important to note here that getting up early is a really good thing. If you can motivate yourself to drag your tired bones from bed that early then you're setting yourself up for the rest of the day.

It's important however to not let your day fall apart- the better of you begin the easier it isto say you've already done enough.

Key parts of the day:

shower If you're an early riser it is essential to get this out of the way almost as soon as you wake up because it's a springboard for the rest of your day. If it help stand under cold water for 30 sec- 1 min just to wake up completely and then try brushing your teeth right away (this helps pospone breakfast until a bit later o you're not hungry earlier).

breakfast Breakfast should be a routine that you follow every day. Do everything in the same order (for example): start with perking the coffee, then go pull out your cereal of choice and always, always, always complete it with a dairy product (or alternative)- a grain and a dairy make a complete protein and your body uses it as such rather than storing the carbs, ect you get real energy for the day.

day prep The breakfast meal should be eaten at the table undistracted and qietly to fill you up and get you thinking. Afterwards do some "office work". Answer the unanswered emails, check and write up the emails you need to send out for the day- this way you'll be ahead of the game and this email will be the first your recipient sees. Next be sure you're dressed for the day, are packed up with everything you need and that you have everything that had been charging the night before. This is also a good time to pay online bills.

meal prep PACK A LUNCH! You're up early- there are no excuses for poor choices and wasted money later in the day- I'm not recommending left overs but freeze in bulk (steamed veggies, cooked meat, pasta) and this is the time of day that you take your ingredients, to portion and prep them for the day. Now you have appropriate serving sizes, something you actually want and can look forward to and can mentally prepare yourself for it (it helps you to feel satisfied after eating too).

work of to work (/school)! Time to put the plan in action- you're already ahead of the game with emails sent out, your lunch prepped and your tasks for the day mentally prepped. It's also important to note- a change of shoes and a water-bottle make any workplace more comfortable and that equals happy... lets pretend :)

leisure Your day is far from over at this point, but because you're ahead of the game you'll have time for the side tasks (dinner, laundry, cleaning, phone calls, ect)... you have a hectic schedule but aim for a 9:30- 10:30 pm bedtime. During the day take four twenty minute me time intervals dedicated specifically to you for exercise, reading, tv, a cat nap or whatever tickles your fancy.

How does this apply to roommates? The thing is you will need to be extra quiet (that's why you start off with shower and computer stuff- breakfast can be made quick and quiet as well). Roommates should have no trouble with your schedule and I seriously recommend a pair of earplugs for bed- there is nothing better once you get used to the sound (and if you get up in the middle of the night the roomies are asleep and you can take them out- pick them up at a hardware store- they make super comfy ones now).