How to Make Mornings Less Hectic

Everyone has hectic days at least sometimes. With so many activities and job responsibilities, it isn't difficult to become overwhelmed. There never seem to be enough hours in the day. Trying to be organized and efficient is a daunting task. But there are simple steps and ideas that can be implemented to make everyday living a little less stressful.

One of the most hectic and time wasting moments for most people is the morning. This is when everyone seems to be running around like chickens with their heads cut off. (Please pardon the old-fashioned graphic image.) But it's true. So much wasted time is spent looking for car keys, homework, matching socks, and the list goes on and on. Here are some suggestions to make morning transitions go much more smoothly.

If you are always searching for your keys or purse or eyeglasses each morning, place them somewhere so that it becomes a habit. Pick a place that makes logical sense- by the back door for keys, the nightstand for eyeglasses or a purse or wallet. This seems easy. In reality, if you are disorganized this is difficult. Bad habits can be hard to break.

I was always terrible about losing my car keys, and my husband was even worse. I hung a couple of cheap cup hooks right by the back door. It took a couple of weeks to train myself to hang up the car keys as soon as I walked in the house. At first, I would walk in with groceries and sling them on the kitchen table. Or go upstairs to my bedroom and throw them on the night stand. But gradually, it became habitual to hang them up first thing when I entered the house. And now, any time I go anywhere, my keys are always waiting for me right as I leave.

And do you know what? My husband and teenage children still conduct massive search and rescue missions for their keys at least once a week. If only they would listen to me. This simple trick has saved me from being late to many appointments and eliminated a whole lot of stress in my life.