How to trick yourself into being a morning person
With age, even the most ardent night owl starts turning in earlier and earlier. Despite this, many have trouble making that transition to early bird. But what if you could trick yourself into becoming a morning person? It’s possible, and we’re going to tell you how.
1. Set a bedtime – Bedtimes aren’t just for the grandkids! According to sleep specialist Dr Nathaniel Watson, finding the right bedtime (and sticking to it) is essential. “Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting quality, restful sleep,” he tells Daily Burn.
2. Organise your day before you go to sleep – In the hour prior to going to bed, instead of exposing yourself to harmful artificial light (e.g. tablets, laptops and phones), prepare everything you need for the day ahead – clothes, bag and even meals. This way, when you wake up, all the boring stuff will already be done and you’re free to go on with your day.
3. Get creative with your alarm – Setting a nice wake-up song on a device located right next to your bed might be a gentle way to get up, but if you have trouble rising, you might need a bit more discipline. Go the opposite route and set an annoying sound or unpleasant song as your alarm, and make sure it’s placed far enough from your bed that you have to get up to turn it off.
4. Bring on the light – Our bodies are highly responsive to natural light, so as much as the brightness might be uncomfortable at first, try to ensure your first act in the morning is to either open your curtains wide, or even step outside for a few minutes.
5. Get moving – It might be the last thing you feel like doing after dragging yourself out of that cosy warm bed, but your willpower is at its peak in the morning. Step into those sneakers and get the blood pumping. Come night time, when you’re exhausted and ready for bed, you’ll thank yourself for getting your workout out of the way in the a.m.
6. Most important meal of the day – It’s true what they say about breakfast. A healthy, protein-packed brekkie will have you up and about in no time and give you the energy you need to power through the day.
What’s your secret to getting out of bed quickly in the morning? Share your tips with us in the comment section below.