Mornings can be rough. The alarm goes off way too early, you hit snooze over and over, and by the time you drag yourself out of bed you're already running late. Same sob story everyday! Well, worry not cause here's a 5-step guide to starting your days off right.

In his book Getting COMFY, author Jordan Gross aims to help you transform those groggy, chaotic mornings into times of calm, intentional productivity. Through his signature COMFY method, Gross provides a simple yet powerful strategy to help you wake up feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to tackle each day. Getting COMFY is a practical roadmap to mornings that energize instead of stress you out. So if you're tired of beginning your days on the wrong foot, let Jordan Gross be your guide to waking up COMFY and making the most of each new day.

Mornings. For some, that word conjures images of fresh brewed coffee, sun streaming through window panes, and productivity levels rising with the sun. For others, just thinking about mornings brings groans, snooze buttons, and a mad rush to get out the door on time. If you identify more with the latter, no judgment! Mornings were once a struggle for Gross until a flash of insight taught him that reinventing his a.m. routine required being open to experimentation, actively seeking wisdom, and learning from failure; this led Gross to create his 5-part "COMFY" morning ritual which replaced grogginess with energy and chaos with productivity, proving that with the right routine, anyone can transform their mornings and unlock their full potential.COMFY stands for the 5 parts of the routine: Calming routine, Openness to connection, Movement, Funny, and You-time. When Gross started doing COMFY every morning, it was a total game changer. He had more energy, was more productive, and just felt happier and more motivated overall. On the days Gross does slip up and skips part of his routine, he really feels the effects. Proof that COMFY really works its magic! Now you may be thinking, there's no way I can get interested in getting the COMFY steps done! Gross has a trick to make it happen: the No Snooze Challenge. Here are the rules: First, pick something you love doing, like watching Netflix, or hitting the gym. Then, make a rule that for every minute you sleep past your alarm, you get one less minute of fun activity time. So say your alarm goes off at 6 AM but you didn't get out of bed until 6:30. Well, you just lost 30 minutes of sweet, sweet Netflix as a consequence. Put this strategy into play and soon you'll be bouncing out of bed with no snooze button required. Your love of activities will power you through the morning grogginess in no time! Want to ensure you win the No Snooze Challenge? The trick is ending your night on a sweet note. Before you switch off the lights, take some time to do something fun and relaxing. Read a few pages of that page-turner book, watch a little reality TV, or call up your parents! Get those good vibes flowing! By going to bed with a smile, you'll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to rise and shine instead of wanting to...

The way you wake up in the morning can set the tone for your entire day. If you start the day feeling rushed, stressed, and anxious, it can be hard to regain a sense of calm. That's why it's so important to focus on crafting a peaceful, centering morning routine. As author Gross outlines in his book Getting Comfy, taking just a few minutes in the morning to focus on relaxation can make a world of difference. But, let's be real - that obnoxious blast from your alarm clock in the morning probably jolts you awake in full-on panic mode as you realize the busy day ahead. Not exactly the tranquil start we aim for, right? So that's why Gross' COMFY starts with focusing on C - for calm - first thing in the a.m.Imagine waking up slowly, no jarring alarm clock disturbing your slumber. Instead, your room gradually illuminates to simulate the sunrise and your favorite calming playlist comes on. As you stir, you take a luxurious stretch before sinking into a 5-minute meditation. Just focusing on your breathing instantly relieves any lingering stress. After meditating, you flow gracefully through some light yoga poses that work out the kinks after a night's sleep. How's that for a wake-up call? With some simple tweaks, it can be your reality.If you're trying it for the first time, here's a mini-tutorial: Step 1 - Find a comfy spot to plant yourself. Your favorite armchair, a cushy pillow, or even just propped up in bed. Wherever you feel super relaxed. Step 2 - focus. Close your eyes, and just notice the natural rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. If you need a little extra anchor, try repeating a short mantra in your head, something like "I am calm" or "I am at peace." Stay in the moment and that's it! Alternatively, guided meditation using an app like Headspace as soon as you wake up will do the trick. To amp up the calm, add some gentle yoga flows or stretching. You don't need to do anything complicated - just some simple shoulder rolls, neck stretches, and twists are enough to relax both your mind and body.Now let's talk about setting. For the ultimate calming atmosphere, head outside into nature. Your morning meditation will feel even more magical if it's on a quiet beach, an empty park, or your own backyard oasis. But don't worry...

Time to shake off that groggy, closed-off feeling from dreamland. Sure, when we're snoozing, it's perfectly acceptable to be completely checked out from the world, including our relationships. But now it’s a brand new day - and that means opening our eyes in more ways than one. According to Gross, the “O” in creating your ideal morning stands for openness. And no, we're not talking about opening your curtains to let the sunshine in (though that helps too!). What matters most is being open and present in your connections - with yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you. A new day brings endless possibilities to connect with others. Set the intention to be open to whatever comes your way. Then connect with your family or partner. Even a quick “good morning, dear!” can go a long way. As Gross learned first-hand, being open-minded can lead to life-changing experiences, even during a quick Uber ride. Picture this: Gross strikes up a chat with his driver, who turns out to be none other than Chicago music legend Ronnie Rice! Just by showing interest and asking questions, Gross ends up with a crash course in 1970s rock 'n roll from someone who lived it. AND he made a new bond! How freaking cool is that?! And it all started with a simple "Good morning!" Embracing openness first thing in the morning sets the tone for positive interactions throughout your day. Let go of your shyness and  put yourself out there!  Send a thoughtful text checking in on an old pal, or reach out to that business contact you've been meaning to connect with. Starting the day by spreading genuine warmth and care is sure to fill your heart with happiness. Openness can work magic even with complicated relationships too. Gross boldly emailed a teacher who once failed him, and her response was incredibly supportive. See what a little authenticity and courage can do?Also, before we open up to others today, let's get real with ourselves first. Take a few minutes when you wake up to check in with yourself. How are you feeling today? What do you want to do today? Better yet, put down the phone, power off the laptop, and get that pretty journal out. Consider this journal sesh morning therapy. Don't hold back - now's the time to be vulnerable and write down everything that makes you tick....

Wanna feel like a total boss all day? Then get moving first thing when that alarm goes off! Working your body first thing increases blood flow which cranks up brain power. We're talking faster thinking, improved concentration, even sparks of creativity! Who wouldn't want that fuel flowing through their cells before tackling their day? Some early physical activity provides benefits whether you wake up on the wrong or right side of the bed. It's like a magic tonic blending together the perfect smoothie of endorphins and energy! You'll melt away the morning gloom and replace bad feelings with optimism and drive!To really get your blood pumping, add some extra physical activity into the mix! After your relaxing yoga warm-up, mix things up with a brisk walk, job, or some strength training. Throw in an interesting podcast, too if you want. Or just let your thoughts wander freely while you move. The point is, move those muscles early on and your mind and body will thank you. You'll carry that natural high with you all day long! FYI, Gross is a certified personal trainer from National Academy of Sports Medicine. So, you can take his word. Plus, he's literally experienced the awesomeness of this step first-hand. Here's how the story goes: waking up to a rejection email from Google wasn't fun for Gross. Rather than dwell on the rejection, Gross decided to stick to COMFY and go about his morning as usual. He headed to the gym, where he proceeded to work out with increased vigor. As Gross exerted himself during the intense workout, his negative feelings from the job rejection began to dissipate. By the end of the workout, he had a feeling of optimism about his future prospects. So, you see, following COMFY and pushing himself physically helped him bounce back from the unpleasant news, leaving him hopeful about what still lies ahead. You may be wondering what it is about movement that gets you pumping and feeling positive. Well, it's all about the feeling of having accomplished something. That's what makes it magical. Jake, a childhood friend of Gross, had his first Harvard soccer practice. The coaches worked them hard - two hours of marine-style training by the river. Obstacle courses and everything. Jake was dead tired afterwards. But he also felt great. Pumped up. Proud that he made it through such a tough morning workout. That feeling...

Waking up to demands like overflowing inboxes, endless to-do lists, and looming deadlines can make life feel like a battlefield some mornings. And that's so not how we want to start our days, right? Bringing some intentional humor into your daily routine helps you roll out of bed with a smile, keeping your mood light even when faced with stress. So, laughter can be your knight in shining armor, ready to slay all your worries! And Gross discovered this firsthand while volunteering at a care facility for Alzheimer's patients. Assisting folks with limited mobility and memory issues was physically and emotionally draining. One patient always mistook Gross for none other than Clark Gable! Each time she begged “Mr Gable” for his autograph, her antics cracked up Gross and his fellow volunteers, making even the most demanding day fly by with a chuckle. He soon realized humor’s healing power - a spoonful of laughter made even the sourest situation sweeter. Happy is THE perfect headspace to start your day on the bright side. But how do you coax more chuckles out of the morning hours when you’re groggy and stressed? Gross dishes up some almost-too-obvious ideas that do the trick. And he calls them the “I-Duh-eas!” First things first - put together your very own list of entertaining, positive news sources. If you start your day mainlining downer CNN headlines and angry social media rants, no wonder you feel blah. Instead, add some rosier journalism to your media diet like satirical silly stories from The Onion. Or scrolls through Faith In Humanity's page would do the trick, too.  It’s a website dedicated to sharing uplifting stories about people doing good deeds and making a positive difference in the world. Work on restoring the belief the world is not a wholly dark abyss of sadness. When your morning scroll delivers a steady stream of positive, laugh-out-loud content, it’s kinda hard not to crack a smile! But don’t hog all that hilarious content to yourself - laughter's meant to be shared! Pick a Funny Buddy and make a daily habit of slinging silly surprises at each other every morning. Gross got schooled on the magic of morning laughs by his local laundry delivery girl, Kelly. She'd always tuck little messages in with Gross's freshly cleaned clothes. A simple gesture guaranteed to start his day grinning. So take a page from Gross and Kelly’s...

Forget that obnoxious alarm or empty belly rumbles - what REALLY catapults you out of bed each morning? If it's not some soul-sparking passion that makes you bounce out from under the covers, you're doing something wrong! Either way, that brings us to Gross's final COMFY ingredient: "Y" for seeking YOUR true passion.Now passion comes in endless flavors - no right or wrong here! But Gross says honing in on your signature spark requires blending equal parts feeling young and thinking old. First, tap into your inner kid and ask: "What lights me up and gets me giddy? When do I lose track of time because I'm having SO much fun?" Let your mind wander way back to the hobbies, subjects or activities you once obsessed over with starry-eyed wonder. THEN channel your inner elder and tune out any notions of "being cool" or "fitting in" (that’ll block out any societal pressures from your choice) Forget youthful hang ups like awkwardness or inexperience. If guitar playing makes your heart do a happy dance, then do it with no hesitation! Once you've ID'ed your true passion's flame, fuel it daily by building time for it into your COMFY routine. Even a few hours of working on your passion can fill your day with spirit and joy! So what lights Gross's fire and gets him bounding out of bed daily? "Adding value to others without expecting squat in return," he says. Gross is fueled by paying the good deeds forward. And his latest passion project? A tasty startup called MomdelS - selling traditional Jewish cookies to fund Multiple Sclerosis causes. No doubt it's a massive mountain of work to scale, but Gross gets a shot of morning motivation by dedicating time to the venture he cares about most. By steadily chipping away at it early each day, he feels himself getting closer to the peak success. Gross finds inspiration in other dedicated folks who've turned passion into habit. His own parents, for example, never skipped their morning ritual of tending to young Jordan and his brother - no matter how blurry-eyed. Dad always made time for a heartfelt goodbye before work while Mom served up a home-cooked breakfast daily. Though quick, these acts of care kickstarted his parents' days grounded in what mattered most. Or take Gross's neighbor Jim Fagan, attorney by day but really a running fanatic at heart. Every dawn...

Turns out mornings don't have to rudely jolt you awake with a nasty shock. Nope, they can be downright delightful! The secret is crafting a custom wake-up routine to start your day feeling focused, fired-up and ready to slayyy. Try Gross's signature COMFY method! Calm, Openness, Movement, Funny, and You. Stick with these simple hacks and soon you'll look forward to each new day! Every morning is a fresh chance to greet the day energized, uplifted and ready to dominate. So rise and shine, superstar!