Stories

We all know a morning person – someone who wakes up feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to conquer the day. And then there’s the rest of us… habitually hitting snooze, hoping to get just ten more minutes of precious sleep. While being a morning person comes more naturally to some than others, there are small steps you can take to improve the quality of your mornings.

Prepare in advance

Often, we find ourselves lying in bed at night and running through the tasks for the following day. This not only prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep, but it can make the morning feel more hectic (especially if you’re prone to running behind). Try completing as many tasks as possible the night before! Choosing your outfit, fixing lunch and breakfast, and assembling your work bag can all help you feel more relaxed the next day – and even get you out the door on time.

Go to sleep earlier

Hitting the hay earlier and getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep can make a real difference, impacting your level of energy and positivity in the morning. While you may find it hard to put down your phone and climb into bed, the effort will be worth it if you wake up happier.

Resist the snooze button

Punching snooze can be your biggest frenemy. While a few extra minutes might sound nice at the time, they may leave you rushed to get ready. Plus, the sleep you get after pressing snooze is sub-par at best. Some studies show that participants were more tired after pressing snooze than when they first woke up. The next time you feel tempted to tap the snooze button and catch a few more ZZZs, think twice.

Move your alarm clock away from your bed

To help prevent the temptation to press the snooze button, try placing your alarm clock across the room or perhaps even in a different room entirely. Doing so will force you to get out of bed to turn it off. Once you’re out of bed, don’t crawl back in – get a jumpstart on your day!

Some people can sleep right through their alarms. Try avoiding music and the radio and select a loud, notable sound that’s impossible to ignore.

Turn on the lights

As soon as you turn off your alarm, be sure to switch on the lights. Just as dim lighting can help soothe and relax, brighter lighting can help energize and awaken. If the room is still dark and cozy, it can be tempting to hop back in bed. Once the lights are on, your mind and body will begin to awaken and prepare for the day ahead. You’ll start associating light with your morning routine and be less inclined to try to steal a few more minutes of sleep.

Develop a fun morning routine

Once you’re up, get your day started and tackle your morning routine. The ideal schedule will look different for everyone. Try incorporating a few of the steps below to feel rejuvenated every morning:

• Drink water
• Do light yoga or stretching
• Make an ongoing gratitude list
• Go for a walk or get a workout in
• Enjoy breakfast and a cup of coffee or tea
• Listen to upbeat music
• Wash your face with cold water or try ice rolling

Even if you don’t consider yourself a morning person, changing just a few of your habits could help you make the most out of every day!

^AMERISLEEP