We've all had those days where it seems nearly impossible to climb out of bed. The simple act of standing up and starting your day is comparable to that of climbing Mt.Everest. If you're not naturally a morning person, it probably takes every ounce of energy you have to get moving. Instead of hitting snooze every 9 minutes, how about trying something new:
1. Open your eyes.
The very first thing we do in the morning is open our eyes. Then what? Most of us close them again in hopes to fully absorb the next 9 minutes before our alarm starts screaming at us again. Instead of wallowing in self-pity that you need to wake up, try keeping your eyes open for a couple of minutes. Don't use your phone, don't scroll through social media. Just keep your eyes open and scan the room. The longer your eyes are open the more awake you'll become.
2. Get moving.
Stand up! Start walking around. Get your blood pumping to help energize you and keep you awake for as long as it takes to get your day started. One easy way to do this is to put your phone/alarm clock across the room. Not only will this make you stand up to shut it off, you're also less likely to hit snooze knowing you'll have to repeat this processes. Once you're up and moving, there's no excuse to go back to sleep for a few more minutes.
3. Drink a lot of water the night before.
One of my personal favorites, drink plenty of fluid the night before. Or, if you wake frequently throughout the night, drink every time you wake up. This will keep you nice and hydrated, while also filling your bladder so the first thing you think of in the morning is how badly you have to go! This relates back to tip #2.. once you're up, you probably won't go back to bed.
4. Find something to look forward to.
Is the problem with waking up that you have no perceived reason to wake up? Are you completely dreading waking up at 7AM to go to a class you couldn't care less about? Try to find something, no matter how small. Start the day with something exciting like your favorite breakfast, planning a good workout, or scheduling something with a friend for later in the day.
5. Create a fun morning playlist.
If you have some energizing music playing in the background, there's a much higher chance that you'll be willing to get out of bed and not be lazy. Compile a list of all of your favorite (upbeat) songs and play it while you get ready! You could even set one of the songs as your alarm tone to really get a good start on the day.
6. Prepare.
If you feel like you have way too much to do in the morning, start preparing the night before! Don't leave everything for the morning. Prepare your snacks/meals the night before, plan your outfit in your head or even lay it out so you can just grab-and-go. Mornings don't have to be a race to get out the door!
7. Determine why you're so tired.
Are you consistently tired, regardless of the amount of sleep you get? If this is a daily problem, consider seeking professional help.
We all struggle with waking up in the morning (seriously, who's actually a morning person?) but it doesn't have to be a chore. Try out a couple of these tips and watch your daily routine change for the better!
