We’re not all morning people.
If you’re one of the many people around the world who just can’t seem to wake up early, you’re not alone. A lot of us just aren’t early risers.
If you’re a night owl looking for tips on how to wake up early, check out our list and see if any of these techniques help you wake up on the right side of the bed – morning person or not!
1. Keep Your Alarm Away from Your Bed
Resist the temptation to hit the snooze button by storing your phone far away from your bed.
Make hitting snooze more difficult! Set your alarm and place it on the opposite side of the room. This forces you to literally get up and out of bed in the morning. Once you’re already up, you’re less likely to get back into bed and waste the morning’s opportunities!
2. Less Screen Time before Bed
The key to getting up begins way before your alarm rings in the morning. Getting up in the early morning is much easier when you feel well-rested – and that process starts with your nighttime routine the night before.
Put down your devices at least an hour before you go to sleep. Blue light emitted from gadgets’ screens can interfere with your ability to switch off, meaning you get less sleep and wake up feeling groggy the next day.
3. Let the Light In
Sunlight in your room allows your body to adjust to the time of day and helps you wake up more naturally.
Try allowing a little light to flow through your blinds or curtains. That way, when the sun rises your body wakes up too, making it easier for you when your alarm rings. If natural light isn’t an option, light-emitting alarm clocks adjust the light in your room shortly before your wake up call.
4. Keep a Morning Routine
This isn’t just for the early birds out there. They say we are creatures of habit, even when it comes to something as simple as a morning routine. Small habits can go a long way.
Knowing what to do when you get out of bed gives you rhythm in your day-to-day, so you don’t have to overthink the start of your morning. Take the decision-making out of your mornings. After you wake up, schedule in things you enjoy. Whether that’s a cup of coffee, time to read, or your favourite podcast.
5. Have a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Many people try to make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping in at weekends – but your body is not an energy bank!
Even though there has been some debate around irregular sleep schedules and sleeping in on the weekends, it is more widely accepted that getting a enough hours of sleep each night is more restorative than compensating for sleep deprivation on weekends. By waking up at the same time each day, your body clock gets into a rhythm.
6. Get a Workout In
Working out is all about getting healthier. The stronger your body gets, the more energy you have – and the more energy you have the less groggy you feel. Exercise increases your energy levels over time so you’re ready to take on the day.
A little bit of exercise also helps the body release endorphins that improve mood – especially when you workout first thing in the morning. The best way to prepare your body to get up early and workout the next morning is to have a plan of action. Lay out your workout clothes, decide what workout you’re going to do, and ensure you allow plenty of time so you’re not rushing.
7. No Caffeine or Alcohol before Bed
A enjoy cup of coffee after dinner or a glass of wine before bed? You could be sabotaging your sleep. Both caffeine and alcohol disrupt sleep in different ways. While caffeine is a stimulant, alcohol is a sedative, and both can wreak havoc with your sleep cycle.
Finding yourself unable to settle can mean you don’t get enough sleep throughout the night. Skip the nightcap and the post-dinner espresso and opt for a more relaxing alternative. Chamomile tea or sleepy blends can help you unwind and drift off into a restorative sleep that sets you up for success the next morning.
8. Turn up the Heat
When you’re feeling snug and warm under the covers in a chilly bedroom, you feel like you could stay there forever. Springing out of bed to workout is hardly an attractive option. Try setting the temperature of your bedroom to increase 10-15 minutes before you plan to wake up. By creating a warmer environment, you force yourself to get our of bed to cool down.
9. Plan Out Your Day
They say variety is the spice of life, but there’s nothing like a good routine to have you starting your day with purpose.
Let yourself visualise yourself succeeding in whatever you plan to do the next day. Having a sense of purpose makes every action you do from the moment you wake up an exciting one – so reflect on the bigger picture and be grateful for the opportunities you have coming your way. Early rising is one of the things some of the world’s most successful people have in common!
Hopefully a few of these tips help you wake up a little more easily. Get up and conquer the world one morning at a time!
