Morning Routines

In a previous article I wrote, I talked about how to get better sleep. Getting quality sleep can sometimes be difficult when you have cystic fibrosis (CF). But sleep is so important to overall health. And not getting enough can really impact your health and day!

Now, if you are like me, going to bed isn’t a problem. I love getting ready for bed. And climbing into a bed that was made earlier that day feels so relaxing. Usually, I can get comfortable quickly and either rest for a bit or fall right to sleep. Honestly, I look forward to going to bed most days. But mornings? That is a different story.

Mornings are hard with cystic fibrosis

Mornings are not my favorite time of day. We have a saying in our family which is, “Mornings are hard.” Living with cystic fibrosis and before starting Trikafta, my lungs would be so junky when I awoke. I remember the early morning coughs before I had done my first mask. Everything was settled and it took a while for things to get moving.

Even after being on Trikafta, mornings are still hard for me. I struggle with a lot of pain. Usually, my pain is worse in the morning since I haven’t taken anything while I slept. One thing that has helped me is creating a morning routine that is catered to my abilities and needs.

When I was trying to create a morning routine many years ago, I didn’t consider that the articles I was reading were all written by healthy people. They didn’t have cystic fibrosis. And they didn’t have to do all the treatments and take all the medications I took. Looking back, I can see how I was setting myself up for failure.

Tips for easier mornings

Creating a morning routine that fits your life is so important. What works for you won’t necessarily work for someone else. Marina Wildt, from The Discerning You, has provided wonderful tips to help you create a morning routine that works with you. Not against you. And we’re going to go over that in this article.¹

Light therapy lamp

If you’re like me, you sleep in a pitch-dark room with light blocking and climate control curtains. The curtains make it so my body will sleep for as long as possible. But waking up can sometimes feel impossible. One thing that may help is having a sunlight lamp, like the Hatch alarm clock. Using Hatch for an alarm clock can be less aggressive. The lamp slowly lights up the room, so you wake up more naturally compared to a blaring alarm clock, which always scares me awake. Other options are more budget-friendly, but this one is the one I use.

Heating products

We keep our bedroom very cold while we sleep because it helps my breathing at night. And sometimes it is hard to get warm once I get out of bed. If you struggle with getting and staying warm, outfit your room with things that you can use to warm up after waking. For example, heating your clothes could help you warm up. You can stick them in the dryer for a few minutes or buy a heating rack. This heating rack can be turned on when you first wake up, so your clothes are warm and cozy when you’re ready to get dressed.

Cooling products

Maybe you’re the opposite and can’t seem to cool off. Making your room cooler at night will help promote better sleep. One way to maintain a cooler temperature in your room is to use a fan. Additionally, you can keep a cold, insulated bottle of water by your bed. This way if you wake up warm, you can cool off by drinking some cold water.

A soft mat by your bed

A soft mat could help your feet from experiencing pain when you first put your feet on the ground. If you don’t have space for a mat beside your bed, maybe investigate warm house shoes. In my experience, keeping your feet at a comfortable temperature improves my mornings. Even by a little bit.

Breakfast

Eating breakfast is important, but I usually don’t have the energy to make, and eat, a large breakfast right after waking up. Mornings with cystic fibrosis are hard for me, but I still need to make sure I eat a nutritious morning meal. To help make sure I don’t just have hot tea and a sugar-filled pastry, we like to keep high-protein snacks available. Sometimes, breakfast will look like a hot cup of tea, some almonds, and some cheese.

Music

It has been proven that music can lower your perceived levels of pain. It can boost your endorphins and take your mind off of your pain. I have a morning playlist that I like to play when I wake up.²

Create a routine that works for you

Creating a morning routine when you have treatments and medications for living with cystic fibrosis is important. But creating a morning routine that works for you and respects your abilities is more important. Remember that each person has different needs. And what works for one person won’t necessarily work for someone else.

The goal of a morning routine is to help you prepare for the day ahead. Remember your goals and your limitations as you create your morning routine. And don’t forget that changes can always be made.