Mornings were never my thing. In fact, I down right hated them. Ask my mom. She practically had to drag me out of bed by my feet as a teenager. My body's natural desire was to stay up as late as possible and then sleep as late as possible the following morning. Even on the days I only got maybe 4-5 hours of rest, I still felt pretty rested. The joy of youth.
Unfortunately for my circadian rhythm, I can no longer function on four hours of sleep. This realization has forced me to change my sleeping habits in order to function. As a result of these changes, I now consider myself to be quite the morning person. I actually would prefer a quiet, slow morning now as opposed to a late night.
On average I now wake up around 6 AM every day of the week, naturally. Even on the days I am not required to go anywhere (those are my favorite). The latest I typically ever sleep now is 7 A.M. and those days are rare. I actually feel excited to wake up and start my day. Here's how I made the switch from night owl to early bird.
First and foremost, this wasn't an overnight change. It definitely took some time and occurred through small, gradual changes that eventually added up..
One of the most fruitful changes I made was cultivating a morning routine that made me feel excited to wake up. This was not anything extravagant. I would start my morning with a delicious cup of coffee (you can substitute coffee if you're trying to limit caffeine intake or opt for decaffeinated) which I would drink from a cute coffee cup. A very small, inexpensive shift, but it made me happy. I remember feeling literal joy, and still do, at the thought of getting out of bed to consume my warm, delicious coffee.
Coffee cup- https://amzn.to/3Odd1oT
Coffee maker- https://amzn.to/48NfPkP
I typically make my coffee and bring it back to my bed to enjoy while I read my devotional. I found that personally for me, reading a devotional was a great way to start my day and fill my mind with peace and serenity.
My favorite devotional- https://amzn.to/3SucgKO
I would then journal about whatever was on my mind. Sometimes this would be in the form of a written prayer or sometimes it looked more like a brain dump. I think there is something really powerful about getting your thoughts down on paper. These days I've traded in my physical journal for a journal I created on my Goodnotes app on my iPad, but the concept still works like a charm. I also chill eye patches in my fridge and putting those on in the morning is like a little mini pampering session. This routine has worked really well for me and doesn't have to be very time consuming.
I also subscribed to the New York Times Morning Newsletter- mostly for the games, but also for a brief synopsis of the latest information. At the very end of the Morning Newsletter, you will find The Mini Crossword Puzzle, Wordle, Connections (my personal favorite), and The Spelling Bee. These games get my brain going in the morning when it's still half asleep. I have played them consistently each morning for about two years now and absolutely love the influence they have on me in the morning.
The Morning Newsletter- https://www.nytimes.com/series/us-morning-briefing
Try to get in some type of exercise, yoga, slow walk, etc. I've found that moving my body first thing in the morning, after I've had coffee that is, really gets my blood pumping. Literally, it's like an adrenaline shot! Getting myself on the treadmill is not easy and usually consists of a major disagreement between my mind and body, but once I am on there it's pure bliss. I feel energetic and unstoppable! If this sounds scary to you, keep it simple. I started out at 10 minutes and have slowly worked my way up. I've also found that once I start, I have a hard time wanting to stop.
Walking pad- https://amzn.to/48NgyCz
Going to bed earlier has also had a profound impact on my sleeping habits. This was a hard change to make at first, but I've found that the earlier I wake up, the earlier my body naturally desires to go to sleep. I know, super revolutionary- who would've thought? But in all seriousness, sleep is not something that has come easily for me and has actually been something that I've really struggled with. So if going to bed by 10:00 p.m. feels impossible for you, I can relate. But if you make the right changes, I can almost guarantee, it isn't.
Don't look at your device until you've finished your morning routine. Or if you do, do not check social media. I've found that when I start, I have a really difficult time pulling myself out of it. Especially TikTok! Next thing I know, an hour has passed and I am still laying in bed aimlessly. Treat social media as the reward you receive once you've completed everything in your routine. This will help you stay focused and undistracted. In addition to screen time, you can also set up app limits if this is something you find yourself struggling with.
Set yourself up for success. It sounds like I have it out for social media, but that isn't at all the case. However, I am a firm believer that you should be cognizant of how much time you may be spending on social media and have a plan in place if you feel or notice it having a negative impact on you; Especially when you are trying to unwind before bed. If possible, limit time on social media before bed.
How to set up screen time and app limits- https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-limit-your-screen-time-with-these-iphone-and-android-wellness-settings/
If you want to become a morning person, your night routine is almost just as important as your morning routine. The way you spend your time before bed is sure to have an impact on the time it takes you to fall asleep as well as the quality of sleep you are getting throughout the night. Make a list of the things you find relaxing- taking a bath, washing your face, listening to a meditation, etc. Whatever helps your mind feel quiet and at peace. Try to start your routine an hour to thirty minutes before your desired sleep time. If possible, try to get in a full 8 hours. This will give you the best chance of feeling refreshed and perky when you wake up.
Hatch Alarm Clock- https://amzn.to/3HtIkrL
I hope these tips and tricks help you as much as they helped me. Remember, progress over perfection is always the goal so be patient with yourself!
Xoxo, Sarah