12 Ways to Smoothly Start Waking Up Earlier
You’ve likely read the studies saying that those who wake up earlier are
more successful. You may even have set the goal to adjust your wake-up
time, sure that an extra hour or two at the start of the day is all you
need. But deciding to wake up early and actually following through are
two different things. If you’d like to test out the theory that an early start is the key to success, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Set an alarm.
The first key to waking up earlier is forcing yourself to take those first steps. Don’t overthink it. Simply set your alarm
for the time you want to wake up each day and force yourself away from
the snooze button. If a traditional alarm is too abrupt, a gradual wake-up light alarm may be a more palatable option.
Move up gradually.
Unless there’s a specific reason,
you don’t have to move your wake time up a full hour overnight. Instead
try waking up 15 minutes earlier every day until your body grows
accustomed to the change.
Ask a friend to keep you honest.
It’s one thing to vow
to yourself you’re going to start a new healthy habit. It’s quite
another to make a commitment to someone else to do so. Accountability partners are a great way to hold yourself to a new commitment, including waking up earlier each day.
Make your bed.
There are a variety of reasons
you should make your bed each morning, but one is that it reduces the
temptation to climb back in. Instead of eyeing your warm, unkempt bed
longingly, you’ll subconsciously resist, knowing that going back to bed
means undoing your hard work (and having to do it again later).
Rely on caffeine.
No matter what health experts say, some people simply can’t get started without a hefty dose of caffeine.
Set yourself up for success in advance, using your coffeemaker’s alarm
to ensure you’ll have a pot of coffee ready when you stumble into the
kitchen. For the many people who just can't do caffeine, try alternatives.
Take a cold shower.
A warm shower is usually the first
thing on the agenda for people trying to wake up early. However, warm
water can make you sleepier. One tip
that can help you wake up is to give yourself a blast of cold water for
30 seconds, switching to extremely hot for another 30 before going back
to cold. Some people even forego the hot water completely and do a cold
shower instead. Either way, if you inject cold into the shower routine,
you're going to wake yourself up very effectively.
Eat a healthy breakfast.
Coffee isn’t the only tool you can use to jolt your brain to alertness. Oatmeal, leafy greens, and even water will help you feel more alert in those early morning hours. Also, apples are known by some to be "nature's caffeine." They actually have no caffeine, but the fiber and natural sugar can help wake you up (plus they keep the doctor away).
Start with a workout.
Whether you take a run around the block, head straight to the gym, or just do some jumping jacks in your bedroom, a workout
is the very thing you need to get your blood pumping. Walking is my
favorite form of morning exercise because it's an effective way to shake
the cobwebs.
Listen to music.
Science has proven
that music has a direct impact on the body. Feel free to put in your
earbuds and blast your favorite music. Or invest in a shower radio that
will help you multitask.
Go to bed earlier.
If you hope to wake up early and
have a productive day, you’ll need to get plenty of sleep. That means
going to bed early, even if you’re typically a night owl. Avoid electronic devices in the evening hours and gradually move your bedtime up until you’re getting the recommended eight hours of sleep.
Just say no to the snooze button.
You may think the snooze button gives you a few extra minutes, but it actually causes more harm than you realize. Force yourself to put both feet on the floor and stand after the first alarm.
Just say no to the snooze button.
You may think the snooze button gives you a few extra minutes, but it actually causes more harm than you realize. Force yourself to put both feet on the floor and stand after the first alarm.
source:www.entrepreneur.com
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