By: Kelly Graham, MSW, RSW If you’re anything like me, you love sleeping in and hate waking up early for anything. While this lifestyle was alright in my teenage years, the older I got, the more I wanted to wake up and be productive in the morning. While this is much easier said than done, here are some tips that can help you learn to rise with the birds and get stuff done. Go to Bed Earlier. This way, you will be getting the same amount of sleep. While this can be hard to adjust to (and you may have trouble falling asleep the first few nights), eventually you will get into a routine, and your body will be more tired as you wake up earlier. Try and set yourself a bedtime that you keep each night. This doesn’t have to be exact. Give yourself an hour or so leeway and don’t stress too much if you don’t fall asleep by that time, your body will eventually sort itself out. Make sure that you set your bedtime so you can still get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. To help yourself fall asleep easier, try to avoid screens, alcohol, or nicotine before bedtime. Try and create a bedtime routine as this will help your body learn to know when it is time to sleep. Having a warm cup of tea (decaffeinated), hot bath, or engaging in anything else relaxing can help your body and mind rest, which will make it easier for you to drift off to sleep.
Get Up at the Same Time Each Day. Just like you have a bedtime, set yourself a wake-up time. Set an alarm or two, to make sure you wake up and don’t just keep hitting the snooze button. Even on the weekends, try and wake up at this time, so your routine isn’t disturbed. Get Out of Bed Right Away. Instead of waking up and checking your phone for 20 minutes, get up and get moving. Going to the washroom, getting a glass of water, anything that will get you out of bed will help you wake up. The longer you stay in bed, the easier it will be to fall back to sleep. Exercise. The last thing you probably want to do when you first wake up is exercise. Believe me, I know. However, forcing yourself to exercise when you wake up gives you energy for the rest of the day. It also gives you something to wake up and do. Most people try and workout later in the day, but by then, you are tired and are more likely to put it off and not do it at all. This way, you get your exercise done, and have the rest of the day for everything else. (I found it easier to invest in workout videos and equipment that I can use at home, so I don’t have to drag myself to the gym first thing in the morning.) Soak Up Natural Light. Being outside, even if it’s cloudy, can help your biological clock and regulate your body’s chemicals. Fresh air can help relax and refresh us. During the winter months, using a sun lamp can help you get natural light, even when there’s little outside. Try Starting in Spring or Summer. I have tried multiple times to get into the habit of waking up early. I have found that the best time to try and start this routine, is in spring or summer when the sun is up. When you wake up in winter, and it is still dark, this makes you want to go back to bed. Especially if you’re just beginning to try and become a morning person, this can be hard. When you wake up and the sun is rising, you feel more energized. By starting your new routine during these times, you will be accustomed to your new schedule and winter won’t be as hard. Eat Breakfast. You always hear how important breakfast is, and it’s true. Breakfast helps to wake up your body and give you energy for the day. This is why it is important to make sure that you don't skip breakfast. Have A Schedule. Have a list of things you want to accomplish each day. You don’t necessarily have to have every hour scheduled out. Just by having an idea of what you need to or want to do each day, can help you feel more motivated and less like you woke up early for no reason. Keep Trying. Even if you sleep in one day, don’t give up. We aren’t going to be perfect all of the time. If you are sick or just really tired, you probably will sleep in one day, or even a few days. And that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up about falling off of your routine. Just make sure that you get back on it and keep trying! |
|
OverviewNWO’s source for all things relationships, mental health, wellness, lifestyle, and pandemic support. Kelly Magazine is a mental health outreach initiative created by Kelly Mental Health and supported by Kelly Mental Health Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the community in the area of mental health.
|
Magazine |
Follow Us |
In support of @kellymentalhealthfndn |
© COPYRIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WEB DESIGN BY KMH