Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. It’s a sound that strikes fear into the hearts of young adults everywhere – the alarm clock. Despite my best intentions of getting up early to exercise, iron make a healthy breakfast, and look presentable, I usually end up rolling out of bed at the last possible minute and chasing the bus halfway down the street. If, like me, you need a little extra push to get you going, here are some tips to help you get a better start to your morning.
Go to bed earlier.
This one seems like a no brainer, but is probably the most important. Take the time to wind down, relax, and prepare anything you need for the next day. Make an effort to turn off any electronics, including TV, computer, and phones one hour before you go to sleep, as they can potentially contribute to insomnia.
Also, use this time to evaluate your environment. Are there bright lights or loud noises that keep you from sleeping soundly throughout the night? Is your room too hot or cold, or is your bed uncomfortable? Try to identify problems and brainstorm ways to correct or lessen their impact before they keep you from getting enough rest. Things like soothing sound machines or scent diffusers can help you relax and sleep better.
Resist the urge to hit the snooze!
Make it a habit to get out of bed the first time the alarm goes off. One solution is to place your alarm across the room to ensure that you will get up to turn it off.
Or go the app-route. There are a variety of phone apps that you can download with gradual, soothing alarm sounds that can be easier to wake up to than the annoying beep that comes standard on many clocks. My personal favorite is called “Sleep Cycle”. Not only does it have sleep aid sounds and soothing alarms, but it also tracks your progress during the night and generates reports on the quality of your sleep.
Do things in order.
Once you’re up, make a habit of doing the same things in the same order: brew coffee, get dressed, read the news, or whatever else you do to start the day. That way, you are training your mind to expect the next task with less effort.
Make a list and stay accountable.
Whether it’s working out or getting a jump start on your office assignments, think of specific tasks that you want to complete and reward yourself for completing them! One way to stay on track is to write down what you want to accomplish and post whether you completed it or not in a place where you see it often throughout the day. Recognize your successful efforts with a special treat that will keep you motivated to stick with it.
What are your tips and tricks for getting through the early morning hours?
By Alexis Murray
