There are countless benefits to being a morning person. For one, you’re more likely to be productive and get things done. That’s because you have the entire morning to get started on your day, instead of starting in the afternoon or evening when you’re already tired. Additionally, research has shown that morning people are generally happier and healthier than night owls. So if you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, becoming a morning person is a great place to start.
If you’re not a morning person, the idea of waking up early can be daunting. The good news is that with a few simple lifestyle changes, you can train your body to wake up early naturally. Yes, it’s going to take some effort to change your sleep schedule, but it’s definitely doable. Here’s how you can make the transition to becoming a morning person.
First Things First: Get Your Sleep Schedule in Order
If you’re trying to wake up early, the first step is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Most adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night, so if you’re not hitting that mark on a regular basis, it’s no wonder you’re struggling to wake up in the morning. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, there are a few things you can do to make bedtime more conducive to rest:
- Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m.
- Establish a nightly routine such as reading or taking a bath
- Keep electronics out of the bedroom
- Practice some relaxation techniques before bed
Once you get your sleep schedule under control, you’ll find it much easier to wake up in the morning.
Start Waking up Earlier
You need to gradually start waking up earlier. If you’re used to sleeping until noon, then try setting your alarm for 10 or 11am. Once you’re able to consistently wake up at that time, you can set your alarm for 9am. And so on and so forth until you’re able to wake up at your desired time.
Make Some Lifestyle Changes
In addition to getting enough sleep, there are a few other lifestyle changes you can make to help you become a morning person:
Create a morning routine
Create a morning routine for yourself and stick to it. This could involve making breakfast, going for a run, or reading the news. Whatever it is, do it every morning so that your body gets used to the new routine. Over time, waking up early will become second nature.
Exercise in the morning – Exercise is a great way to start your day because it gets your blood flowing and helps wake your body up naturally. Even just a short walk around the block will do the trick. Just be sure not to overdo it; too much exercise can actually have the opposite effect and make it harder for you to fall asleep at night.
Have a healthy breakfast –
Eating breakfast gives your body the fuel it needs to start the day. A nutritious breakfast such as oatmeal or eggs will give you sustained energy throughout the morning and help you avoid those dreaded mid-morning energy crashes.
Environmental Cues
A recent study found that around 40% of a person’s tendency to be a morning person or a night owl is due to genetics, while the other 60% is due to environmental cues.
So what exactly are these environmental cues?
The most important one is light exposure. People who are exposed to more light in the morning are more likely to be morning people, while people who are exposed to more light at night are more likely to be night owls.
Other factors that contribute to whether a person is a morning person or a night owl include age (being young makes you more likely to be a night owl), seasonality (people tend to sleep later in winter), and social jet lag (when your internal body clock is out of sync with your work or school schedule).
So if you want to become a morning person, one of the best things you can do is make sure you get plenty of light exposure in the morning. But also keep in mind that other factors – like age and seasonality – can play a role in how easy it is for you to wake up early. With a little bit of effort, though, anyone can become a morning person!
Get some sun
Sunlight is another natural way to help wake your body up in the morning. Soak up some rays as soon as you get out of bed and open up the curtains or step outside for a few minutes. The extra vitamin D will do wonders for your mood and energy levels. incorporates all three of these tips into my morning routine and I can attest that they work like a charm! I used to dread waking up in the morning, but now I actually look forward to starting my day. Try implementing these changes one at a time and see how they work for you. With a little bit of effort, you can train your body to be a morning person too!
Waking up early doesn’t have to be torture. With some simple lifestyle changes, you can train your body to naturally wake up early—no alarm clock required. Just be sure to get enough sleep, exercise in the morning, have a healthy breakfast, and get some sun as soon as possible after waking up. Implement these changes one at a time and see how they work for you; before long, you’ll be a bona fide morning person!
