Here’s a personal question: What time do you go to bed?
I have reached the point in my life where going to bed at 9 p.m. is a choice I freely make. Getting 7+ hours of sleep a night wasn’t always an option, though. When I became a mom, it was an automatic sacrifice of a few hours of that coveted shut-eye. However, getting up early because the baby was awake has developed into years of gladly rising early to get the day started before the crazy kicks in.
While I was always a morning person in terms of being my most productive before noon, actually waking up early was a challenge. Some people can make the change to becoming a morning person with barely any effort. For others, it’s like trying to bathe a cat.
Whichever describes you, here is how I made the shift to becoming a morning person.
Go to bed earlier. This could be the worse part of learning to become a morning person. Once the work and tasks of the day are done, you want some time for yourself. Netflix is right there, encouraging you to do just that by asking, “Play Next Episode?”. But to get up earlier and feel rested, you have to go to sleep earlier. The National Institutes of Health recommends between seven and nine hours of sleep for an adult. That can cut into your current streaming binge, for sure.
There is hope, and it’s called an evening routine. According to the Sleep Foundation, implementing an evening, or “bedtime” routine, helps to build the foundation for sufficient rest. It helps your body to make the shift into a more relaxed more and prepare yourself for sleep. Implementing an evening routine, whether it’s 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour ahead of time. If this concept is all new to you, start out small at 15 minutes before bed by putting on your pj’s, washing your face/brushing your teeth and reading.
Prepare the night before. Whatever your morning routine, do as much to prepare the night before as possible. That way, when you get up, you’re ready to go. For example, if you exercise first, lay your workout clothes out. If coffee and making your to-do list comes first, set your coffee pot the night before and have your planner or paper ready for list-making. You’re more likely to get up and get going if you’ve already got your morning laid out and set yourself up for a successful day.
Have something to wake up for. Some people can get up just for the sake of getting up. If getting up early is hard for you, this one is critical. Even if you’re an early bird, there may be a few mornings when this is key for you, too. I find the Something More of becoming a morning person is giving yourself something to wake up for. Make it something that excites you or that you consider a treat. That may be reading an extra chapter in that book you had a hard time putting down the night before. Maybe it’s enjoying that yummy first cup of coffee while watching part of your favorite show. Perhaps it’s popping in your AirPods to listen to a podcast while you stroll around the block. Maybe it’s just having those few minutes of solitude before the rest of your house is awake. Whatever your reason, make it something exciting or important enough that you’re willing to get up a little earlier to finish it.
Reap the rewards. With fitness, the result of lost weight or defined muscles is a motivating factor to keep going. Because I work out when I wake up, I’ve started my day well and find it easier to make healthier choices throughout the day. That’s an incentive for me to get up early again the next day. The same is true of becoming a morning person. Maybe you wake up early to knock out some chores, freeing up the rest of your day for time with family and friends or hobbies. Getting an earlier start on your day could mean an earlier finish to your day, which is a good reason to continue. Or, rising a little earlier to create some “me time” may become your favorite time of day.
For me, embracing the morning is very enriching. I am better prepared for the day and have more quality time to spend doing the things I enjoy with the people most important to me. Give these tips a try, and you might find the benefits of becoming a morning person are worthwhile, even for the most dedicated night owl.