Winning the Morning

Today we’re talking about the power of being a morning person.  You may be thinking- “maybe you like mornings Sarah, but I just can’t.”  Well let me tell you something…I hate mornings.  I don’t like getting up early either and I can easily be queen of the snooze button.  I used to have multiple alarms on my phone- one for when I need to get up if I exercise, one for if I get up and don’t exercise but shower, and one for better get up or you aren’t making it.   But there is some powerful evidence that getting up early can help with so many things.

It’s true that the early bird gets the worm.  Studies show that people who get up earlier are more productive through the whole day compared to their snooze button friends.    It also has strong evidence for reducing stress and anxiety because you start earlier and have more control over your day! 

So how to make the switch from night owl to early bird?  It takes time, frustration and new habit setting but ANYONE can do it if they want to!  Here’s some tips that may help you make the transition!

1-     Put your alarm across the room.   If you must physically get up to turn it off, you’re more likely to stay up.  Don’t keep your alarm on your bedside!

2-     Go to the bathroom and wash your face or brush your teeth as soon as you turn off your alarm.  Once again, keep moving so you don’t go lay back down!

3-     Drink a big glass or bottle of water.  This helps recover from dehydration state and once again is movement that will wake you fully up. 

4-     Shower or go exercise- this depends on your morning schedule.  Both will get you fully awake and far from being able to crawl back to bed where you want to.

The first week you’ll have to make yourself do this.  The next week it will be a little easier but don’t fall into temptation to award yourself to sleep in quite yet- your body can easily switch back to old habits still.  After 30 days it should basically be routine and unless you start adding back in bad habits- you are officially a morning person!  Now it’s time to tackle the day more productively!  Use the extra time for reading, exercise, gratitude and journaling, personal growth time.  All the things you “don’t have time for”- this is the time to do it!

Blessings in Health and Happiness!