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I was never really a morning person. Then I had kids and I quickly realized that needed to change. As a mom, the only time I had to myself was at night, after the kids went to bed. That is when I veg out, relax with my husband, watch TV and read.
However, there was a self-care element that was missing. I never felt like working out at night. I didn’t want to think about long-term goals or learning new things. I was too exhausted! I decided I would commit to exercising in the morning and I started waking up before my son.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that my new routine was making me a happier person. I LOVED my morning time to myself and the positive effects lasted throughout the day. I finally understood why some people wake up so darn early. It is truly awesome. If you have never been a morning person, or think you cannot become one… I am asking you to give it a try. (check out the book, Miracle Morning for some motivation!)
5 Tips for Becoming a Morning Person
- Go to Bed Earlier: I know, I know. You are probably saying, “Thank you, Captain Obvious!” But seriously, if you want to wake up earlier without feeling like crap, then you need to get more sleep. That means setting a bedtime! It is easy to stay up late mindlessly checking social media or binge-watching TV shows. For the first few weeks, you may need to force yourself to go to bed earlier, but you will thank me later.
- Stop Drinking Alcohol: I love my wine, but I realized drinking was messing up my sleep. Not only did I stay up later since I was drinking, but my sleep quality was suffering as well. When I wake up in the middle of the night after a few drinks, I would feel serious anxiety. It would take me forever to fall back asleep. After being up most of the night, I would just ignore my early morning alarm. I decided to try to stop drinking during the workweek and I’ve noticed a HUGE difference. I fall asleep easier and when I do wake up in the middle of the night (I am a super light sleeper) I usually fall back asleep a short time later. No more middle of the night anxiety! WOOHOO! If you are serious about waking up earlier, you have to cut out the drinking.
- Meditate Before Bed: I love meditating now and I am starting to get better at it. Recently, I started incorporating a nighttime meditation into my evening routine and I feel like it helps me sleep better. I love the free meditations on the Simple Habit app. (not sponsored, lol)
- Get an Immediate Boost: This is a GREAT tip if you are just starting your early morning routine. I keep a small cup of black iced coffee in the fridge and my husband brings it over when my alarm goes off. (he gets up before me) Back in the day I used to keep a caffeine pill next to my bed, but that probably isn’t healthy. (whatever, it worked) That jolt of caffeine on an empty stomach is just what I need to GET UP.
- Turn on the Lights: This is another biggie. As soon as your alarm goes off, turn on the lights. I have a lamp on my nightstand and as soon as I hear my alarm I just click it on. Sometimes my eyes aren’t even open yet. Having the lights on will help your body wake up. This light-up alarm clock (affiliate link) has great reviews, but I am too cheap to buy one. If you have it and it works, let me know!!
Another big motivator to becoming a morning person is having a morning routine that you LOVE. Be sure to check back here on Thursday when we will tackle that issue! You can be a morning person and I promise it will help you feel happier and healthier! Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram since I often share my morning moments there! (including my fancy workout pajamas! ha!)
I’m already a morning person but could use these tips for my stay-up-late husband. haha! 🙂
As a certified night owl, I’m always so envious of early birds. I loved reading your tips! Going to bed earlier is so hard for me! 🙂
These are fantastic tips! I need to remember to do the iced coffee in the fridge thing, I think that will help me wake up!
Hi Lauren,
hope you are doing well, been awhile since I posted in the group. Anyway these are great..I am already a morning person…but don’t meditate..I will have to check out that app, maybe it will help my sleep….sleep probs in middle age stink..ha!
Valerie
Great ideas! I’ve been trying to change my habits forever now, will try out these tips for sure!
I really liked the way you presented this information. I am a coffee fiend. I cannot start my day without it. That’s basically all I need to start at any hour.
Thanks for these tips! I am soooo not a morning person!
Going to bed earlier and meditation are two things I need to add to my routine. Great ideas!
ooh! LOVE the tip of keeping a cup of iced coffee in the fridge. what a good, easy, doable idea!
Great tips! The hardest for me is going to sleep on time, I am definitely a night person!
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
I was a morning person my whole life until I had kids. Then I stayed home with them and we all slept until the sun was high in the sky in the morning. I really need to go to bed earlier. Your top about alcohol is spot on too.
Great tips! I am already a morning person, but I do a lot of these things anyway and I think they help.
Oh boy, I’ve never been a morning person but I do have a goal of trying to get up earlier so I will give these tips a shot. I already don’t drink so I’m ahead on that one. Sometimes I definitely stay up too late. 🙂
it is hard to go to be sometimes, especially when it is the only time we get to chill after a long day! I have to force myself almost every night. ha!
I totally agree with the meditation thing! I started doing some meditation and bedtime yoga and it completely changed my sleep for the better! I woke up refreshed and rested!
I am super into meditation these days, it makes me feel so much better and more positive!
I am very lucky that I am a natural morning person, as long as I get enough sleep. Going to bed early is key and I definitely agree with having a morning routine you enjoy. I love my jar of overnight oats and blueberries for breakfast 🙂
Gennifer Rose | http://www.GenniferRose.com
YAY! A fellow morning person! Thanks for stopping over and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Great tips! I struggle with not disturbing/waking my kids in our small home. I like to be up early but only if I can be a alone. 😉
It is hard, I usually wait to make my coffee until after the kids wake up because I dont want to wake them. I usually just stay in my room haha
I need to do this. I always tell myself that I am going to get into a routine and it never happens. I love these tips.
it is really hard to change habits… you have to just stick with it for a week no matter what.. and then see if you are even enjoying it at all. 😉
I’ve actually been getting up a half hour earlier, and it’s been so much better for our morning routine. I’m less stressed and that makes everyone a lot happier. I’m going to try meditating before going to bed…great idea! Also love having the coffee right away!
YES! I feel like I am more patient with the kids when I have my morning time 🙂
I need to make it a habit and go to bed earlier. My son always runs in early in the morning and turns on my bright light for me lol.
My kids used to wake up super early too, but they have been sleeping in later recently. I still have to force myself to go to sleep.. it is very tempting to just veg out!! 😉
I don’t think I will ever be a true morning person, but I love these tips for at least helping the transition go a lot smoother!!
I never thought I would be either, but now I love it! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Number 2 is such a big YES. I remind myself of this everytime I go to have a glass of wine!
Right?! I love my wine, but it does some crazy things to me as I get older! ha!
I try to incorporate these things into my days, but I still find myself staying up late and being most productive in the evenings.
I used to stay up really late too, but for some reason I am not very productive at night. Hey if you are getting stuff done then I wouldnt change! 🙂
These are great tips! I too, am guilty of enjoying my nighttime a little too much. I wake up so tired and end up being tired the whole day! Definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing your tips!
It is understandable since it is the only time we get to ourselves.. but it has made such a huge difference for me by making myself follow a bedtime! 😉