A good night’s sleep sets the stage for a productive day, but what you do in the first hour after waking can make all the difference. IKEA’s First :59 program offers practical lifestyle tips—from bedroom habits to bathroom routines—to help you and your family get mornings under control and start the day well.
As one of four contributors to the program, I’ve shared a few simple strategies I use as a busy parent and full-time blogger to keep our mornings efficient, healthy, and enjoyable.
Nutrition is a priority in our household, but like many families we contend with tight schedules. To bridge the gap between convenience and wholesome food, we rely on smoothies. Our Vitamix gets heavy use and making a large batch of green smoothies has become a go-to morning routine.
We don’t follow strict recipes—most mornings we combine kale, spinach, and celery with frozen fruit like strawberries, mango, blueberries, and banana. Other times we add avocado, orange, or apple—really any fruit or vegetable we have on hand. Experimenting is part of the fun, and the kids get involved choosing flavors.
We typically make enough for three servings to cover the family. If anyone is still hungry afterward, a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal pairs perfectly with the smoothie for extra staying power.
We prefer blended green smoothies over juicing because smoothies preserve the fiber in fruits and vegetables and create less waste. The fruit naturally sweetens the drink, making it appealing even to picky eaters, while keeping the ingredients whole and nutritious.
Alongside our smoothie routine, we always start the morning with a large glass of water. After a night without fluids, water helps rehydrate and prime the body. We avoid bottled fruit juices that often contain added sugars; our smoothies provide natural fruit sugars within a balanced, fiber-rich base.
Coffee is part of our morning culture, but we try to enjoy it after a nourishing breakfast rather than on an empty stomach. A healthy first meal helps sustain energy and makes that cup of coffee more enjoyable.
For more ideas and visual inspiration, IKEA has assembled a dedicated First :59 Pinterest board featuring morning hacks and routines. The campaign also encourages people to share their own tips on social media using the hashtag #First59.
To explore additional suggestions for streamlining mornings and product recommendations designed to help you start the day in the best possible way, visit First59.com.
photo: Robert Gourley and WoodleyWonderworks