Making The Most Of The First :59

What is the First :59? Our Philadelphia Home Show partner, IKEA, believes that the first 59 minutes of the day is not a time we embrace but rather a series of chores and things that we endure. It’s a hurried and chaotic time for many families - especially as people get ready to send their kids back to school after the holidays and get back to their usual routines.

People have an idealized view of what a typical morning looks like (calm, birds chirping, stretching, coffee brewing, etc.). But from the moment your alarm rings to the second you rush out the door, the truth is that mornings – for the most part – are hectic, disorganized and stressful. In fact, 72% of Americans believe that a stressful morning affects the rest of their day.

Here are some tips, courtesy of IKEA, on how to take that first :59 and make it a positive start to the rest of your day!

• Share your morning routine with your partner. Depending on who is out of bed first, have one person start the morning routine...whether it be getting the kids out of bed, taking the dog out, or brewing your morning coffee. Create a partnership. One person starts the task, the other completes it.
• If you have troubles waking up in the morning, put a floor lamp on a timer. Have the floor lamp turn on before your alarm for a smoother transition from that deep sleep.
• Shower your kids the night before...While you're at it, shower yourself the night before. When you wake up, all you will need is a little refresher instead of having to go through the entire routine. 
• Practice a "no electronics" rule in the morning. No check emails, playing video games, or social media. It allows you to focus on the task at hand, and also makes for a less stressful morning.

To find out more ways to make that First :59 a positive experience, visit IKEA in Booth #109 at the Philadelphia Home Show, January 17-19 and 23-25, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The IKEA booth will focus on bedroom and bathroom solutions and inspirational products that are well-priced and high quality, along with ingenious storage solutions.

Plus, stop by the booth and you'll have a chance to win a $250 IKEA gift card. One gift card will be given away each weekend at the Philadelphia Home Show! Don't have tickets to the show yet? Get 2-for-1 tickets on our Facebook Ticket Deals and treat a friend to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

JANUARY 17-19, 23-25, 2015.
PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER