I've never been one to wake up early. Even on Christmas morning, I was the kid who shuffled up the tree, rubbing my eyes as we opened presents. However, it has become indisputable that waking up early makes you a happier and more successful person. According to Harvard business review , "A higher percentage of people in the morning agreed with statements that indicate proactivity, such as 'I spend time identifying long-term goals for myself' and 'I feel responsible for getting things done. things. “”
Like most night owls, I have always dismissed these conclusions as they challenge my comfortable routine. But as a young adult trying to build better habits, I thought I'd try to turn myself into an early riser.
So for the past 30 days, I've been waking up earlier and integrating some personal care in my routine. While I can't say I've reached full early bird status, I can say my mornings are much more productive and enjoyable. Read on to see how you too can start making the most of the wee hours of the morning.
Related: What happened when I woke up at 4:30 a.m. for 30 days
1. Create a nighttime routine.
The most important part of waking up early is getting to bed properly. It doesn't just mean showing up early. It means making a program that will convert waking up from a groggy bore into an exciting and effective part of your day. The day before, I like to prepare breakfast as much as possible. For example, if I knew I was going to eat a vegetarian omelette, I would chop the vegetables and store them in the refrigerator overnight. This minimizes the amount of thought you have to put into cooking breakfast and will most likely lead to a healthier first meal, instead of grabbing a granola bar on the way out.
It's also important to set yourself some goals before sleeping. According to author and productivity consultant Helene Segura, making a list of three things you want to accomplish the next day is called “clearing the mind” and can help you sleep better and wake up more focused. I like to focus more on household chores and hobbies rather than work. Some of the things that made my list were laundry, reading an article I bookmarked a month ago, and shopping for birthdays and upcoming holidays.
Don't forget nor is the definition of routine "a regularly followed sequence of actions", which means that it should not be altered. I like to make breakfast, make my list, then watch a 30-minute episode of a show before I sleep. Routines help train your body to know when it's time to stop, making it easier to fall asleep.
2. Relax at your desired wake-up time.
Don't start this process by setting your alarm two hours earlier than usual and expecting to get up, because you won't. Gradually adjust your bedtime and wake-up time so the change doesn't feel unnatural.
Every day for the first 24 days, I set my bedtime and wake-up alarms 5 minutes earlier than the day before . On day 24, I fell asleep at 10 p.m. and waking up at 6 a.m. For me, getting to bed on time was the harder of the two, but once I established a bedtime routine that didn't include Netflix, excessive sleep, waking up just got a whole lot easier.
You can take it even slower than me. Try setting your alarm 1 minute earlier each day until you reach your wake-up time. While it takes longer, it also leads to a higher likelihood of meeting your early bird goals.
Note:None of these tips will help if you're a persistent repeater. Use willpower and put your feet on the ground after the first alarm.
3. Don't scroll.
Your alarm is probably on your phone, and once your phone is in your hands, there's a temptation to check social media or email. Avoid that. Lying in bed for an hour scrolling through your phone is no use waking up early.
It has also helped me design my mornings as a self-care routine and watch the perfectly filtered lives of my peers before even brushing my teeth didn't really make me want to jump out of bed and enjoy the day. Take this morning time on you and not on what is happening in the world.
4. Work out.
It might sound crazy to some who barely have time to put on pants in the morning, but working out in the morning is the #1 way to start the day on a positive note.
I didn't go to the gym, but instead made my exercise more leisurely. I only added it to my routine after the first 20 days, but once I started I would alternate between walks in my neighborhood park and low intensity yoga. Morning exercise has been proven to kick-start your metabolism and ensure you get a workout before the busy day swallows up your schedule.
Whatever your goal, start small. Take it day by day and don't get frustrated when you don't progress as quickly as you want.
Related: 11 science-backed ways to become a morning person
