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Waking up early isn't always easy, is it?
Some mornings, you might just want to choose to just remain glued to your bed, convincing yourself that, just five minutes more, won't hurt. Then the next thing you know, that alarm's gone off for the sixth time, and you're sprinting around the house, skipping breakfast, and hoping no one notices your hair that's still in the bun you've put up before your 2-minute shower if showering was even an option!
Sound familiar? I've been there more times than I care to admit. Sometimes, I've done all that while my brain was still asleep!
The truth is, waking up early and actually feeling human is possible and doesn't have to be a struggle with the right tools. It just takes a few tweaks to your routine to transform your mornings from feeling chaotic to something that feels empowering to start your day with.
Why Waking Up Early Can Be Difficult
Let's be honest—for a lot of us, waking up early can feel like an uphill battle.
You're not lazy and it's not just about dragging yourself out of bed: there's a whole mix of habits and lifestyle factors that's working against you and affecting your ability to wake up early and feel refreshed.
Poor sleep habits
Maybe you're a night owl, perhaps you're dealing with heightened cortisol levels, or maybe you're one who gets stuck scrolling on your phone until late or you end up binge-watching your favorite shows way past your bedtime.
I've been guilty of all, and I know for a fact that all that screen time can seriously mess up your body's natural circadian rhythm and make it difficult for you to fall asleep. What's worst is you'll end up in a nasty cycle that will be hard to get out of.
Lack of motivation
If your mornings or days don't have something to get excited about then your bed feels like the best place to stay. It can be a safe space for you to hide from the world or even to escape from facing experiences and feelings that you really don't want to be facing.
Lifestyle factors
If you're under a lot of stress from work, parenting, or just life in general, sleeping might be a struggle and it snowballs into difficulty in waking up early when you do fall asleep.
And let's not forget the impact diet and exercise have on your sleep and waking up routine. You'll notice if you skip your workouts, regardless of how simple your workouts are, or eat heavy meals late, your mornings can be a lot less than energetic.
All these challenges are real, but the good news is that it is absolutely manageable. It's about making small, realistic changes that add up over time.
Benefits of Waking Up Early
Why should you even bother waking up early? I get it—that extra time in bed can feel like heaven, but there are some seriously good reasons to consider becoming an early bird, and actually liking it.
Start your day right
Waking up early before everybody else is something special in my opinion. Mornings are usually quieter, with fewer distractions, and you can actually hear your thoughts loud and clear. I for one am much more productive in the mornings than in the evenings so I take advantage of early mornings.
Waking up early gives you the opportunity to start your day right—this can mean different things for different people. Maybe it's squeezing in a quick workout, meditating, a 10-minute stretch, journaling, or just having some time to yourself before life's daily demands kick in.
These morning habits that can do with that extra time you have by waking up early can be your secret weapon to feeling more grounded and in control. You'll feel like you've accomplished something and that will make you feel so much better and you'll carry that feeling throughout your day.
More time
Waking up early gives you that extra breathing room to get things in order without the normal mad rush.
Think about those mornings when everything feels like a mad dash—throwing on clothes, grabbing whatever's in the fridge, raising voices, praying traffic isn't bad, and the plain stress. By waking up early, you create a pocket of calm.
You'll have more time to pack lunches thoughtfully, savor that cup of coffee without burning your mouth, or simply have time to double-check that you haven't forgotten anything.
It's a small shift but it'll make the rest of your day feel as if you've got things in control.
Feel-good mornings
Starting your day with an actual routine can do wonders for your mental health.
Imagine waking up and having a few moments just for yourself—bliss! Maybe it's enjoying that first sip of coffee while the house is silent or stepping outside for some fresh morning air whilst soaking in those first rays of sunlight.
These are not big rituals but they can help reduce stress and set a more positive tone for the rest of your day. Trust me, those little peaceful moments can be the difference between a frazzled morning and one where you feel truly centered.
As a single mom, early mornings when my son was younger was a savior. It became my sanctuary. It was my time to breathe, think, and set myself up for the day. Those quiet moments when the house is still? Absolute magic. They helped me stay grounded, even when life felt overwhelming.
12 Ways to Wake Up Early and Feel Refreshed
These simple tips will help you wake up earlier and actually feel good about it!
1—Set a consistent and realistic sleep schedule
Setting the same time for when you go to bed and wake up every day, even on weekends can help your body clock. Consistency is key here. Your body will get used to this routine and instead of being a struggle and you working against your body, it'll become natural. Your body clock thrives on routine so you have to feed it that.
2—Ease into it
Start small by setting your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier each day. Gradual changes are easier to stick to and will feel less overwhelming. No one says you have to go from a 9 a.m. wake-up to a 6 a.m. overnight. Baby steps can make all the difference.
3—Create a bedtime routine
Get ready for bed with relaxing activities like reading or meditating. Avoid screens an hour before bed to let your mind and body know it’s time to relax. This change can work wonders for falling asleep faster and waking up feeling more rested.
4—Limit caffeine in the afternoons
Caffeine can stay in your body for hours after a cup, so keep it to mornings only. If you're someone who loves an afternoon pick-me-up cup, try swapping it for decaf or herbal tea. It doesn't give you the same kick but it can be a game-changer when you're trying to stick to a bedtime routine.
5—Prepare the night before
I'm a big believer in preparing the night before! It does make a huge difference. So lay your clothes, pack your bag, write your to-do list for the next day, or plan breakfast. Do whatever you can the night before so you'll have less to stress over the next morning. Your mornings will be much smoother this way. Think of it as a gift to your future self.
6—Use light to your advantage
Natural sunlight helps wake you up. Bring in a little bit of the outdoors to your morning routine by opening the curtains or using a sunrise alarm clock to simulate the morning light.
7—Avoid the snooze button
Pressing the snooze button (multiple times!) can make you feel groggier and more tired when you do actually wake up. To avoid the temptation of pressing the snooze button, place your alarm clock or phone across the room, where you have to get out of bed to reach it. Getting up to turn it off might be annoying, but it works.
8—Create something to look forward to
Create something that you can look forward to in the mornings. It can be anything from a quiet cup of coffee, a meditation session, journaling, an early morning walk, or even listening to your favorite playlist. Having something to look forward to makes waking up feel less of a chore and more of a treat.
9—Stay active during the day
It's been proven that regular exercise improves your sleep quality and helps you feel more rested. Even a short walk or a quick yoga session can make a big difference to your quality of sleep.
10—Watch your meals before bed
Having heavy meals or even alcohol close to bedtime can interfere with your sleep so try and keep it light. Better still if you can avoid any meals a few hours before bed. Your body will thank you in the morning.
Waking up early without feeling tired and exhausted isn't just for naturally morning people.
With a few intentional changes to your bedtime and waking-up routines, you can make it a reality. The benefits outweigh everything else—from better time management to improved mental health, waking up early is totally worth it.
Start small, be consistent, and remember that you're building a habit that will set the tone for your entire day—so make the choice to start your day right.
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