How to Become a Morning Person

We all know the feeling, struggling to wake up in the morning until you had that warm cup-o-joe in your hands. Mornings can be hard, especially if you enjoy staying up, but as plenty of research suggests, waking up early comes with a long list of health benefits. If you’re a night owl who’s looking to make the transition toward becoming a early bird, check out these simple tips and reintroduce yourself to the morning sun.

1. Go to Bed Earlier

This might seem obvious, but it’s an important first step in becoming a morning person. Going to bed earlier is best accomplished over the course of several weeks. Aim for 15-20 minutes earlier the first few days and then another 15-20 minutes the week after. Remember that most adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep a night, so plan accordingly.

As you start to go to bed earlier, it’s important to remember to adjust your nighttime routine along with it. Start by slashing an hour of your day and removing some obligations in the evening to give yourself more time to decompress from your day and relax. Also, begin your bedtime routine earlier than usual, like brushing your teeth, putting on your pajamas, and setting into bed.

2. Eat Protein For Breakfast

After sleeping at night, your metabolism and blood sugar are very low and need to re-fueled. A protein-rich breakfast will help jumpstart your day and get rid of sluggishness, so you feel alert, focused, and energized enough to take on a busy day.

3. Reward Yourself

Don’t forget to reward yourself for waking up earlier. Give yourself something to look forward to so you’re not tempted to hit the snooze button on your alarm.  It could be as simple as your favorite coffee, a walk with your dog or a delicious breakfast. You can also have a morning meditation or yoga session to start your day with less stress. Maybe there is a game or puzzle you could work on when you get up. Whatever it may be, reward yourself when you wake up earlier. As a result, you’ll look forward to being a morning person.

4. Exercise Earlier

Exercising in the morning will increase your alertness and your focus, while giving you more energy overall. If you’re watching your weight, exercising before breakfast will help you burn more fat calories and lose more weight. So, get your blood flowing first thing in the morning with a brisk walk around the block or a trip to the gym. It might be helpful to prepare your workout gear and your breakfast the night before. This will give you one less thing to worry about when the morning comes.

5. Rely on Natural Lighting

With all the artificial lighting from indoor lights, television, cell phones and computers, it’s hard for the body to adjust to what is day or night. When you’re getting ready for bed, ease up on the technology to allow your body to adjust. Expose yourself to bright light first thing in the morning when you wake up. This will help you wake up earlier and feel more alert. Natural light is best, so place your bed in front of a big window with plenty of daylight and open your blinds when you wake up and let the sun work its magic.

6. Skip The Afternoon Nap

Normally we recommend all things a cozy bed can offer, but if you’re working on becoming a morning person, avoid napping for at least a few days as you adjust to your new schedule. Waking up earlier than usual might be tough in the beginning and you’ll probably be pretty sleepy by the afternoon. Taking even a quick nap might be tempting, but you may not be tired when it’s time to go to bed.

7. Get a Better Mattress

If you want to become a morning person, sleep quality is just as important as your sleep quantity. If you wake up stiff and sore your mattress might be the reason you’re not getting enough deep, restful sleep. A saggy mattress or one that has simply lost its shape doesn’t provide you with the support you need throughout the night. When your muscles must work harder at staying in a comfortable or neutral position, you end up tossing and turning.

If your sleeping surface is lumpy, hot, or making you itch or sneeze, it’s time to consider a new bed. The right pillows, blankets, and especially the right mattress can have a huge impact on your quality of sleep. The right mattress will help you feel refreshed and ready to start your day. Stop by your local  Sit ‘n Sleep mattress store to find the right mattress, bedding and accessories for a full night of restful sleep.