Become a Morning Person and Reap the Benefits

Hitting the snooze button only makes you groggier. But if mornings aren’t your forte, here are some easy ways to ease yourself awake

We’ve all been there. The alarm clock goes off and we grudgingly hit the snooze button two or three times. By the time we finally crawl out of bed, we’re rushing to get ready for work or school, a festering bad mood well underway.

If this sounds like your average morning, then it’s time to transform yourself into a morning person. And it’s actually easier than it sounds. This guide will help you to wake up earlier, ditch the stressful race against the clock and reap the benefits of calmer and friendlier mornings.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

The first step to becoming a morning person is to get a good night’s sleep. There are a few simple tricks you can follow to help ensure you’re sleeping when you should be:

• Put Away the Gadgets: Avoid using electronics and watching TV about an hour before you plan to go to bed. The light emitted from these devices messes with your melatonin levels, making the body believe it’s earlier in the day than it actually is. Artificial light does the same thing, so dim the lights to help make you sleepy.
• Avoid Late Night Snacks: Eating right before bed puts digestive processes in motion, and this can keep you up when it’s time to hit the hay.
• Take a Hot Bath or Shower before Bed: The temperature change from hot to cold when you emerge from the shower can make your body sleepy.
• Read: Instead of watching TV, read a book before you go to bed to unwind your mind. You’ll notice your eyelids drooping in no time.
• Listen to Soothing Music or White Noise: The sound of a fan can also do the trick. This helps you concentrate on something other than the list of things you have to do tomorrow.
• Sleep on a Comfortable Mattress: Tossing and turning because matress springs are painfully poking you isn’t going to make for a good night’s sleep, so find a mattress that’s right for you.

Set Your Alarm

Going to bed and waking up around the same time everyday, even on weekends, helps to get your body into a regular routine. This way, when you wake up early you’ll feel more rested than if you change your schedule every day.

Start this process off slowly. Set your alarm back by 15-minute increments every morning to help you gradually get to your desired waking time.

Avoid hitting that snooze button, because falling asleep and waking up over and over can make you feel groggy.

And skip the jarring buzzer alarm and wake up to your favourite radio station instead. Starting your morning off singing can only mean good things ahead.

Get a Little Morning Exercise

Getting your body moving in the morning boosts your energy levels and helps wake up your mind. By getting up a little earlier, you’ll have time for a morning activity, and exercise can be good motivation to get out of bed.

• Choose Your Favourite Activity: You won’t get up if it’s something you hate, so pick something you love to do, like running or yoga, and do it in the morning instead of the late afternoon or evening.
• Get a Buddy Onboard: Find a friend to do your morning activity with to help keep you motivated and on track.
• Pay for a Class or Gym Membership: If you’re paying for it, you may be less likely to bail.
• Reward Yourself: After your morning workout, make yourself a rewarding, but healthy, breakfast.

Create a Morning Routine

The first 15 minutes of your morning can set the tone for the entire day, so don’t rush. Leaving time to actually enjoy your cup of coffee or your favourite tea can relax you. Having a calmer morning can result in a calmer day.

Create and maintain a regular morning routine. Do things in whatever order you like, but keep them in that order every day. If you prefer to put on your makeup before you eat breakfast, then do that every morning. Having a regular routine can make getting up a little easier, because the process of getting ready becomes mechanical.

By planning out a pleasurable morning, there’s something to look forward to when you wake up.

Reap the Benefits

It’s pretty obvious, but waking up earlier gives you more time to enjoy the day, especially on weekends. By giving yourself a couple of extra hours, you can get all those chores done on time and have an hour or two to relax, reducing your overall stress level.

People who wake up earlier tend to feel more optimistic because they have time to accomplish what they wish, leading to a less-stressed life.

Bonus Tips

If you’re still struggling with the idea that mornings can be relaxed and happy, try these easy cheats to pave the way:

• Opt for a 1-minute Workout: If you don’t feel like doing a full-fledged workout in the morning, then jump out of bed and do a few jumping jacks, or run on the spot for 30 seconds to get your mind and body awake.
• Use Essential Oils: Essential oils like lavender are great for helping you fall asleep, but to wake up those lazy eyes peppermint is the key. If you shower in the morning, use a peppermint shampoo or soap to give you a little jolt of freshness.
• Get Organized the Night Before: Gather all your things the night before to save you time and stress in the morning. Pack your lunch, pick out your outfit and put your car keys in the right spot so that you’re not left rushing around the house to collect everything.