Are you one of those people who dart around in the morning, muttering because there's no cream for the coffee and trying to find the one tie that goes with the pants and shirt you have on?

If you are, you may be surprised to learn that the best early morning tips for stress reduction have to do with planning things out the night before.

For people who are organized, it's difficult to understand why some people find early morning such a demanding time of day and feel the need for stress reduction.

Obviously, if there is a problem getting out the door on time, there must be ways to change things to improve the situation.

Following are five tips to reduce early morning stress to get you on your way without rushing around like a maniac and without an increase in your blood pressure:

Plan Ahead

These two words are the major key to changing your morning routine. Planning ahead means thinking out and listing on paper the things that cause you grief in the morning and then analyzing what can be done about them.

Make a List for the Next Day

Lists do work, especially if you have some extra items or chores that aren't in your normal routine. By writing everything down on paper or in a planner, you have your day at your fingertips. Any necessary changes can be made easily, but you basically know where you are going and what you are doing instead of going "blind" into your day.

Set Out Clothes and Other Items You'll Need

If one of your biggest annoyances is not being able to find clean socks that match, make sure you do your laundry on your day off and have everything in its place for you to easily choose. This will help you avoid doing an early morning load of wash or ironing a blouse, both of which are big time wasters and early morning mood destroyers.

Adhere Strictly to Your Time Schedule

Knowing you have to have little Johnny at school by 8 a.m. will not allow for a 20 minute morning conversation on the phone with your best friend. Avoid all such unnecessary interruptions in the morning. This will definitely aid in stress reduction.

Consider Planning Breakfast the Night Before

Many people plan ahead and know exactly what they are going to prepare for their morning meal. Some even go as far as setting the table or preparing the meal in advance, only to heat it up quickly the next morning. While that may sound excessive, it can cut down on time wasted by several minutes.

Planning ahead can be a pain if it means giving up some fun activities to do chores, but you will be greatly compensated by being able to enjoy a more peaceful, less stressful morning.

Learn more about this author, Linda Joyce.
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