So much has been said and written about waking up early in the day and how it allows us to get more things done. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the earlier you start, the more hours of the day you can use to your advantage. But how do you wake up in the morning and actually hit the ground running?
If you’re not a morning person, waking up in the morning can be one of the most difficult tasks in your life. Trust me – I know the feeling. However, the body and mind can be trained, and even a night owl can learn how to wake up in the morning earlier than usual and actually feel good about it.
Here are some of best ways to wake up in the morning that will give you an edge to have a productive day.
1. Establish a regular sleeping pattern.
This is the ultimate goal, actually. People who have a regular sleep-wake pattern generally wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to go. The tricky part may be getting that regular sleeping pattern.
The simplest and most straightforward solution is to set specific times for going to bed and waking up, and sticking to those times every day. Even if you do not feel sleepy, get ready for bed. After a while, your body will adjust.
You might need some assistance in falling asleep at the time you designate, so you can try melatonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate sleep patterns. There are supplements that you can buy without a prescription, but it is always best to discuss this with your doctor, especially if you are on other kinds of medication.
2. Go easy on the alcohol on a night out.
Nights out are not a no-no. After all, we have to enjoy and live life, yes? But, if you are in the process of regularizing your sleeping pattern, avoid too many nights out during this period, and even more importantly, go easy on the alcohol. You might feel sleepy after some glasses of wine or bottles of beer, but alcohol does not really help you get a good night’s sleep. It certainly makes you NOT want to get out of bed in the morning.
3. Eat earlier in the evening, and/or eat light.
Different cultures eat dinner/supper at different times, but the best thing to do – if you want to wake up in the morning refreshed – is to eat at least two hours before going to bed. Also, eat as light as possible, especially if you have dinner later than usual. This will give your body enough time to digest the food, and help you get a better night’s sleep.
4. Don’t hit the snooze button.
Come morning, you’ll probably be tempted to hit that snooze button. DON’T.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, so make it harder for yourself to hit the snooze button. Place your alarm clock far enough so that you have to get out of bed to silence it.
5. Let the light in.
Light is a natural “wake me upper”, and if you can let sunlight in in the morning, you’ll wake up in a better state. If possible, leave a gap in the curtains so that light comes in when the sun comes up. Alternatively, you can also buy one of those lamps that emit light similar to sunlight – the kind that is programmable so that it turns on at the time you set it.
6. Wash your face as soon as you get up.
Once you’re out of bed, don’t sit down. That will only make you want to go back to sleep. Instead, go straight to the bathroom and splash some water on your face. Simple as that.
7. Drink a glass of water (while making your coffee).
Another thing that will help you wake up in the morning (and make you feel better) is drinking a glass of cold water as soon as you can. You can even do this while making your coffee – or tea.
8. Do some stretching.
Getting physical in the morning is something that health and fitness experts highly recommend, for the simple fact that it gets your blood circulating – and that definitely helps you wake up in the morning feeling ready to take on the day.
Stretching is a simple and gentle way to go about it, but you can always do other physical activities that will achieve the same thing.
9. Play some “pump up” music.
Having music in the background while you’re getting ready for the day is a great way to energize yourself. Naturally, the kind of music that will pump you up depends on your preferences. For me, some Pink, David Draiman, and Andrea Bocelli always does the trick. Weird mix, I know, but whatever floats your boat, right?
10. Think of one thing that you’re looking forward to that day.
It may not come naturally, and it may not always be easy to find something to look forward to every day, but there is always at least one thing. Run your day through your mind as you prepare yourself, and you are sure to find at least one thing that will put a smile on your face. Maybe lunch at that little deli you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe a short call with a friend? Whatever it is, find that one thing and fix it in your mind.
11. Establish a morning routine that you will look forward to.
Last, but not the least, create a morning routine that you actually enjoy. It can include some or all of the items above, or you can add your own things. The important thing is that you do what makes you feel good in the morning, and after a while, you’ll be wanting to wake up in the morning without it being much of an effort!
Need more tips?
17 Ways to Wake Up Feeling Fresh in the Morning
Originally posted on July 8, 2014 @ 9:00 am
