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Night Owl Guide to Mornings: 7 Things to Do Before 7am

A Night Owl's Guide to Mornings - 7 Things to do before 7am

My parents lovingly referred to my sister as “Little Miss Sunshine”. Growing up, you’d find her awake at the crack of dawn ready to watch morning cartoons, even on the weekends.

Not me.

Not then.

Not now.

I’m what you would call a “Night Owl”.

I thrive in the evening. My energy level is up. I can multitask like no other. But come morning, I’m a different person entirely.

Can you relate? That’s why I’ve partnered with RaceTrac to bring you this post – especially for us night owls, but for anyone looking to start the morning off on the right foot.

7 Things to Do Before 7am (A Night Owl’s Guide to Mornings)

Get Moving - A Night Owl's Guide to Mornings

Get Moving

While arguable this could be the toughest challenge for a night owl, I still recommend it. Get moving.

Have an appointment with the treadmill. Do 25 stomach crunches. How about 30 jumping jacks?

Keep it simple. Change it up. But get moving. Your body will get used the change (and ultimately appreciate the extra care you are giving it too – always a plus)!

Connect With Someone

This one works well for me, especially on those days where I’ve struggled with insomnia or stayed up too late watching reality tv (confession)!

I’m not talking about connecting with your kiddos, spouse, or anyone in the house. This isn’t about a group slumber party, because in all honesty those usually end up with me snuggling alongside my daughter, getting really comfortable, and wanting to close my eyes once again.

It has to be someone outside of your home.

For me, I jump to attention real quick when my sister or friend messages me. It works with my husband when he’s out of the house too.

Initiate the connection if you have to. If you don’t have the ability to do that (i.e. your friends would kill you at that early hour), check email. Now, a quick warning – this is simply for a few minutes. Do not get lost in there!

Connecting with someone gets my mind starts working quicker, and that’s the real key to get me moving.

Get Organized - A Night Owl's Guide to Mornings

Organize Your Day

I’m a list-maker. Since I’m not at my best come morning-time, I find I do better when my day is organized.

Get a great calendar. Find the perfect to-do list. Maybe purchase colorful stickers to help keep you and your family running smoothly.

From after-school activities the kids have for the day, to the ingredients needed for dinner, these lists keep me sane and help me start off the day on the right foot.

Make Your Bed

Grandma would be proud of me for mentioning this. To this day, at almost 96 years old, she still makes her bed every single day.

Me. The struggle is real.

But what I have discovered is that if I do make the bed first thing in the morning, I’m less likely to crawl right back in for a nap after I drop the kiddo off at school.

Meditate and/or Have Quiet Time

After I’ve gotten up. After I’ve exercised. After I’m dressed. After my mind has started working. Then it’s time to take a few moments to reflect. If I try to do this first thing in the morning, I inevitably fail.

Whether it’s mediation, spending time in prayer, or just some simple quiet time, this is invaluable for a night owl.

A quick note that if your house is hectic on school mornings, you might need to get up a bit before the kids to make this really work.

RaceTrac fresh fruit - Nightowl's Guide to Mornings

Eat Breakfast

Now you might think this is a given, right? But let’s be honest, there are many of us who skip breakfast entirely.

I haven’t always been a breakfast eater. There are still days I struggle and prefer going right to lunch, but I find that my body gets on a better schedule when I intentionally make breakfast a priority.

What about those days when I’m scrambling to get my child out the door before the school bell rings? Or I simply forget breakfast (yes, it happens)?

RaceTrac to the rescue.

RaceTrac Breakfast sandwiches - Nightowl's Guide to Mornings

RaceTrac can be found in southern states like Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In fact, there are more than 400 RaceTrac locations, many of them right near me in the Dallas, Texas area!

RaceTrac is more than just a convenience store with gas station. It’s a one-stop shop for early birds and night owls!

You might be surprised to learn just how well stocked your local RaceTrac is with incredible food options to start your day off, no matter what time you roll out of bed.

FUN FACT: RaceTrac’s highest guest volume occurs between 6am and 9am.

From fresh fruit (my RaceTrac had all fresh fruit priced at just 89 cents) to traditional grab and go breakfast sandwiches, and from blueberry muffins to tamales, they have a wide variety of foods to quench whatever your craving might be.

RaceTrac Donut - Nightowl's Guide to Mornings.

Whatever for Breakfast?

Remember how I said haven’t always been much of a breakfast person? If you are like me and wake up wanting to move right into lunch foods, no worries, RaceTrac not only has traditional breakfast items freshly made, but they have us covered too.

  • Salads – spotted a BLT Caesar salad and Farmhouse Cobb salad today, but you can often find a garden side salad and Greek Style salad too.
  • Sandwiches – so many options including the popular Chipotle Kickin’ Chicken Wrap.
  • Pizzas – freshly made in-store, you can find popular choices ready to grab and go, or you can place an order for a custom personal pizza (or a 16″ one to feed the crew).
  • Roller Grill – from all-beef hot dogs to tamales and taquitos, there’s something savory for everyone. Be on the lookout for the fun Chicken and Waffle Taquito!

My favorite (I actually had one today) – the Beef Empanadas! It was incredibly delicious, warm right out of the breakfast case.

Save Money on Coffee

Coffee – Enough Said

Mornings are better with coffee.

LEARN MORE –> Find out more about coffee at RaceTrac. You just might be surprised to find the huge selection of coffee offerings – this isn’t your ordinary gas station coffee! It’s crazy good coffee and you can be your own barista!

Want a cappuccino, iced coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate? No problem. RaceTrac has you covered too!

So no matter what you want to eat to help you get moving in the morning, and no matter what time that is, RaceTrac has offerings you will want to check out.

Now tell me, are you an early bird or a night owl?

RACETRAC GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY – 2 Winners

2 winners will each receive a $25 RaceTrac Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 Things to do before 7 am

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Comments

  7. I would be a night owl if I didn’t have to get up and go to work in the morning!

  19. Night owl for sure. But my kids are all early birds so I have to find the balance 🙂

  21. I am most definitely a night owl. I’d much rather work through the night and sleep in. Only problem with mornings is that they are not later in the day.

  24. When I was younger, I used to be a night owl. After kids, I found the best time for some quiet time while was everyone else was sleeping so I became an early morning person.

  36. I am not really sure what I am. I do not like to be up early but I do not like to be up late. I guess I will lean towards a early bird. Thanks for the chance.

  38. I am a night owl. I treasure those moments when the kids are in bed but normally I am so tired I just fall asleep anyhow.

  39. I’ve always been such a night owl but I’ve been trying so hard to warm up to mornings with my son and coffee and some light breakfast helps me best!!! Lovely article it definitely gave me some tips to live by thank you!!!

  43. im kind of both…. once i am up past midnight, theres no sleep for me; and once im up im up

  55. I am a night owl! I get into YouTube videos and Pinterest and the next thing I know it’s 2am. I love an early afternoon nap when that happens.

  85. Always was and might still be an early bird. Thing is I am going to bed later and then I just don’t want to get up in the morning… but I do prefer getting up and moving earlier rather than later.

  86. I’m an early bird by heart but I take evening classes for school and most nights I find myself staying up late doing homework.

  93. I am (and have always been) an early bird! Don’t be me wrong, sometimes I stay up way too late and can’t get moving the next morning but that’s rare.