5 morning hacks we wish we’d learned sooner

Instead of waking up to an annoying, screeching alarm sound, you should try waking up to your favourite song so you feel good from the very get-go. A nifty gadget that will help you do this is the Phillips Wake-up Light, which has a radio FM and a special sunrise feature. Inspired by nature's sunrise, the alarm clock gradually releases light for 30 minutes until you wake up naturally, instead of suddenly. So long, bad mornings.

Obviously, there are loads of benefits to drinking water. But drinking a couple of glasses first thing in the morning (instead of your regular coffee) can work wonders. After roughly eight hours of sleep, we tend to be slightly dehydrated in the morning, so a good helping of water can rehydrate us, fire up our metabolism and give our brain some much-needed fuel. Basically, it's a win-win.

We bet that the first thing you do when you wake up is check your mobile phone right? Maybe you scroll through Instagram and Twitter and see what you've missed out on while you've been sleeping? Us too.

Well, aimlessly using your social media in the morning isn't the best way to wake up your brain. Instead, you should indulge in some light brain-activating activities, like a crossword puzzle or sudoku. Go on, get those brain cells fired up!

Breakfast (aka the most important meal of the day, after brunch of course), should not be overlooked. Lining your stomach before you embark on a big day is a really wise decision, because it will keep you feeling energised and full. Opt for a morning meal that will release energy slowly, like avocado on wholemeal toast, topped with crumbled feta and pomegranate. Mmmm.

There's no better way to get your blood pumping first thing in the morning than with a high-intensity workout. You don't even need a fancy gym membership as there are so many great YouTube workout videos that will really work your muscles. We love Pop Pilates and Yoga With Adriene, which are both equipment-free. Result! (Literally.)