Rise and shine!
If the snooze button is your closest A.M. amigo, it’s time to revamp your morning routine. Think you’ll never be the type to wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Think again. These 8 steps will tell you how to become a morning person, re-setting your internal clock and getting a jumpstart on the day ahead.
Step 1: Analyze your sleep routine.
If you have a hard time getting up in the morning, we’re willing to bet your bedtime fluctuates quite a bit from night to night. Our bodies have their own internal schedule, and when that schedule’s not consistent, it makes it more difficult for us to fall asleep (and in turn, wake up).
Track your daily bedtime for two weeks. Take an honest look at whether you’re keeping a consistent routine. If not, make it a priority to get in bed at the same time every night—weeknight or weekend. This will set the stage for more consistent wake times.
Try our 6-Minute Workout for Better Sleep.
Step 2: Cut your evening commitments.
The reason your sleep schedule is out-of-whack may be because you’re doing too much in the evenings. Sleep experts advise the evenings should be for winding down, preparing your body for sleep.
Avoid commitments in the evenings as much as possible. Each night, give yourself at least an hour of down time before your head hits the pillow. That doesn’t have to mean completely vegging on the couch, but you should steer clear of taking phone calls, checking emails or catching up on work.
Step 3: Put your alarm clock in another room.
We won’t lie—this step is rough! But half the battle of breaking your snooze button addiction is just getting up and out of bed. Put your alarm clock in the living room on the loudest setting, so your feet are forced to hit the floor before you turn it off. Then, proceed to Step 4.
Step 4: Make going back to bed a non-option.
We’re familiar with the internal dialogue that goes on in your head when the alarm goes off. But bed feels so good. I can hit the gym after work instead. What will ten more minutes hurt? Don’t allow this dialogue to happen. Don’t even think about it. Make getting up a no-questions decision. You don’t have to want to get up, you just have to do it!
Step 5: Give yourself an incentive.
Maybe it’s an extra cup of coffee with a drizzle of caramel. Maybe it’s watching a half hour of your favorite show before the kids get up. Whatever it is, give yourself a well-deserved reward for starting your day on the right foot.
Step 6: Get natural light.
Natural light is one of the best signals for our bodies that it’s time to start the day. Leave the curtains open when you turn in for the night to allow the natural light to filter through. If that’s not an option, get a light box with an automatic timer. Set it to come on a few minutes before your alarm clock.
Step 7: Set yourself up for success.
Make the morning ahead as stress-free as possible by laying the groundwork the night before. Shower before bed, lay out your outfit for the next day and prep lunches in advance. For easy grab-and-go bites, try our 14 Healthy Freezer Meals. By taking a few things off your plate the day before, getting up and at ‘em will seem a little less daunting.
Step 8: Get your body moving.
This is another step night owls may resist at first, but sneaking in a morning workout sets the tone for a productive, energized day (and the added calorie burn is great, too!). Try our Mini Morning Workout or our 5-Minute Workout to Kickstart Your Day.
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