8 hacks for a relaxed morning rush at home

We are not all morning people, and in a country where it's always warmer under the blankets, it's tempting to stay in bed longer than advisable. The result: chaos and rush during the morning rush at home. Can it be different? Absolutely! Here are 8 tips for a more peaceful morning that you can apply right away.

1. Five-Second Rule

Not to be confused with the ten-second rule that applies when your snack falls on the ground. The five-second rule means you have a better chance of success if you take action within five seconds of the alarm going off. If you wait longer than five seconds to get up, you're likely to hit the snooze button.

2. Lay Out Outfits

When you have to choose an outfit in a hurry, your brain often decides that you suddenly have nothing to wear. A familiar phenomenon that you can remedy by laying out all your clothes the night before. Ironed and all, it also saves time. Bonus tip for parents: lay out a few outfits suitable for the weather forecast or hang them on a separate rack. This way, you give your child the idea that they can choose what to wear, and you're likely to have less hassle.

3. Prep Your Breakfast (and Lunch)

Do you start the day with oatmeal? Great, turn it into overnight oats or chia pudding. You can make it the night before. You can also pre-cut fruits like apples and pears; citrus fruits dry out quickly.

You can also try our handy Hero Breakfast Shake. The Hero is the hero during the morning rush at home. A complete, plant-based breakfast with all the nutrients you need, from proteins to omega-3 fats and vitamins and minerals. Add water, shake it, and you're done!

If you send the kids to school with their own lunchbox every day, put the lunchboxes in the dishwasher the night before. That helps too. And maybe you can even set the table and prep lunch in advance.

4. Set Up Your Bag

A classic that always works: set up your bag the night before. Check your agenda for the next day, gather everything you need, and put it in your bag. If you've been to the gym and are going again tomorrow, take your towel out of your bag and replace it with a new one. Then, place your gym bag in the hallway or the trunk. If you're driving, also remember to check if you need to leave earlier to refuel or charge your car.

5. Give Everything a Designated Place

This should actually be point one. Give everything, and I mean everything, a designated place in your house, and make sure there's only one place for each item, whether it's your toothbrush, keys, or hair ties. Clean up all the hotspots before going to bed, put everything back in its place, and clear all surfaces (table, coffee table, kitchen island). Thank me later!

6. Place Important Items by the Door

7. Wake Up a Bit Earlier

Sounds like a no-brainer, but setting your alarm earlier can save you a lot of time. If you struggle with waking up earlier because it means less sleep, you can handle this easily too. If you wake up 15-30 minutes earlier, close your eyes 15-30 minutes earlier as well. It may not be the most enjoyable (you might feel like you're missing out on something), but it's effective. Try this for a few weeks, and you'll notice that you start enjoying going to bed earlier.

8. Make Your Routine Sacred