Ah, mornings. Unless you’re a morning person, it’s not exactly fun to get out of bed and face your day. When you throw recovery into the mix, things become even more complicated. The days require a lot of energy to get through, and you’re probably not feeling your best. You may be tired, irritable or depressed. You may also be feeling bad for yourself. Not fun, but normal stuff.

What we can tell you is that the mornings do get easier in time, providing that you stick to your goals of staying clean and sober. In the meantime, here are ten things you should do in the mornings to get your day off to a better start.

1. 1. Don’t hit the snooze button.

This only makes getting out of bed more of a process than it needs to be and creates morning stress.

1. 1. Write down things you remember.

Maybe it was an interesting dream or something you’re looking forward to. As the day goes on, we often forget the things that come to us while we sleep, so jot them down. They might mean something!

1. 1. Focus on today only.

Forget yesterday. It’s over. Put your energy toward today and what you plan to do to make it the best one yet. You can’t change the past, so don’t waste mental energy on it.

1. 1. Think of something you’re grateful for.

Everyone has something! Whether it’s a roof over your head or a warm shower, taking time to be grateful gets you thinking positively.

1. 1. Stretch.

Light stretching gets the blood flowing in your body and also improves feelings of stiffness, fatigue or achiness. A short yoga routine also works wonders!

1. 1. Make your bed.

Sounds strange, but even science backs this one up. Bed makers tend to be more organized, well-rested and satisfied with their lives.

1. 1. Get hydrated.

Coffee (in moderation) is fine, but don’t start your day with that. Reach for a glass of water or tea with lemon instead. It replenishes your body and can help you feel refreshed without the caffeine.

1. 1. Let in the light.

Open the blinds, crack open the window or step outside and feed the birds. Even a walk is a great idea! The fresh air and sunshine can boost your mood and get you started on the right foot.

1. 1. Stay off your phone.

If you end up playing on your phone while you’re in bed, chances are, you’re going to waste away 30 minutes or more. Get up and leave your phone alone until you’ve done the above things.

1. 1. Cross a task off your list.

Preferably, one that you’re dreading. This way, you won’t have it hanging over your head all day. Clean your apartment, attend a morning AA group, make that phone call to Mom, etc.

Mornings are hard in early recovery, but they do get easier. By following these 10 tips, you can enjoy better mornings, and hopefully, better days!