How to Wake Up Early

Early mornings are often challenging for a lot of people.

You may be one of those who set the alarm early with the best of intentions. But then, as the alarm rings, you feel you are not ready to wake up. And you end up hitting the snooze again and again.

The result?

It is a late start to the day, a lot of stress from running late, and the list continues till you hit the bed at night.

It’s frustrating, isn’t it?

If you have been dealing with all this trouble daily, it’s time to change your habits, and this week’s course on smart productivity will help you do that.

Here are seven tips and tricks that will help you wake up early.

Start Gradually

Unless you have a particular reason for moving your bedtime up to an hour, it’s best to give yourself a gradual start. Incorporate minimal changes into your bedtime. Start by waking up 10 minutes early each day to avoid giving your body an adjustment shock (and resulting daytime fatigue). So if you want to move your wake-up time an hour earlier, it is best to give your body at least five days to make the transition.

Get to Bed Early

When your body is adjusting to waking up early, it is equally important that you try and go to bed early to minimize lost sleep. Again, starting gradually is the key. Just like you move your wake-up time by 10 minutes each day, use the same practice and go to bed around 10 minutes earlier than usual every day. If you sleep at 11 p.m., in around five days, change your bedtime to 10 p.m. The sooner you get to bed; the better are the chances of falling asleep early.

Avoid Late-Night Sugary Snacks

Energy drinks and other sugary snacks give your body a boost of energy, something you don’t want when you plan to sleep. Moreover, large amounts of sugar consumed right before sleeping can interfere with falling asleep and staying asleep. If you are looking for ways to keep yourself hydrated before bedtime, it’s best to stick to plain water or herbal tea.

Optimize Your Bedroom

When it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep, your bedroom plays a critical role. Make sure your bedroom temperature is comfortable. Moreover, your mattress should be firm and supportive instead of too soft or too hard, and your bedroom space is clean and clutter-free. Finally, it would help if you keep the lights and noise to a minimum. If outside noise is a concern, you can rely on earplugs or apps, such as Whitenoise.

One critical thing when optimizing your bedroom for a good night’s sleep is to unplug yourself. Make sure your bedroom is free from electronics, including your laptop and cellphone.

Stick to a Conducive Bedtime Routine

Routine sets expectations. It trains your brain on what is coming up next. So I suggest you stick to a conducive bedtime routine.  Take a warm bath, change into comfortable clothing, read a good book or have a warm cup of milk. Once you set a bedtime routine and stick to it every day, your brain will learn to use these activities as cues and signal your body that it’s time to sleep.

Keep Your Mornings Simple (and Stress-free)

When you try to motivate yourself to wake up early, make sure you keep your mornings stress-free and straightforward. After all, your body is already in a transition state, and you don’t want to trouble it more with all the extra stress.

Prepare for your mornings the night before, lay out your outfit, prepare your bag for the day, plan quick and healthy breakfast options, and look for more ways to make your mornings simple and stress-free.

Take Advantage of an Afternoon Nap

If you feel waking up early is taking a toll on your productivity during the second half of the day, take advantage of a quick afternoon nap. It will give you a boost and keep you going during the latter half of your day. Ensure you don’t take a nap after 2 p.m. as it may interfere with your nighttime sleep.

Final Words

Waking up early may seem like a daunting task, especially if you are not a morning person. But with these seven tips and tricks to wake up early, you can make this transition smoother and give a boost to your productivity.

Ashley Yeo

Five Ways to Make Your Day More Positive and Productive

3 Simple Tricks to Change Your Attitude

Habits of Organized People That You Should Pick Up

Five Reasons You Should Invest in a Gratitude Journal

The Power of a Positive Morning Routine