We all know “that person” who has it all together every single morning!
At the sound of their EARLY alarm, they bounce out of bed with an energy and discipline that the rest of us only dream of.
But how did they get to that point?
Some people seem to be born this way, while others have to learn this highly-sought after skill.
To become a morning person, it takes a change of mindset and a lot of discipline! Yes, it is a major lifestyle adjustment.
1.) Make the “Snooze Button” Your Enemy
The snooze button is your enemy in disguise!
It promises you a few more minutes of cozy and satisfying sleep. But it leaves you feeling extra groggy, guilty and slightly panicked because you are now behind schedule for the day!
Bad way to start your morning!
Before you go to bed at night, set your alarm, and place your phone (or clock) farther away from the bed. Make it difficult for you to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep.
Once you are out from under the covers and your feet are on the floor, it will be easier to force yourself to start your day on time.
2.) Create a Simple Morning and Evening Schedule
Creating a simply schedule will help you create healthy habits.
These habits will help free you up from making decisions when it is difficult – early in the morning and late at night.
Morning Examples:
- Each morning, you wake up and immediately turn on your morning music soundtrack.
- You then get up and walk to your kitchen and make coffee.
- You do some stretches to help get the blood flowing and help with extra mental clarity.
- You start your “morning grooming” routine for work.
Evening Examples:
- You meal prep your lunch for the next day, so you don’t have to think about it the next morning.
- You dim the lights, so your body can start relaxing and de-stressing.
- You go to bed at the same time every night.
- Perhaps read or listen to a calming podcast before turning out the lights.
Whatever schedule you create, make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. This is an incredibly important step in becoming a morning person!
Creating a set pattern of morning and evening habits & behaviors will make it a lot easier to get up in the morning.
You already know exactly how your day is going to go!
3.) Natural Light Makes a Big Difference
We all love those black-out curtains that keep our room extremely dark during the sunlight hours.
But natural light plays an important roll in our mornings!
It signals the brain that it is time to start the day by stopping the production of melatonin, the sleepy-time hormone.
If you have curtains, make sure to draw them back first thing in the morning.
And if you wake up before the sun, try to strategically turn on some bright and welcoming lights every morning. It will help create a good morning!
4.) Don’t Get Kidnapped by Social Media or The News
We all have been there.
Our alarm goes off. We reach for our phone and involuntarily open up our Facebook or Instagram app.
We then snuggle down under the covers and start scrolling…and scrolling.
Before you know it, you have wasted a bunch of time and you are officially behind schedule. GUILTY!
This is an awful way to start the day.
Avoid scrolling through social media or the national news after you wake up.
It will save you a lot of time…and it is great for your mental health!
5.) Move Your Body – Even A Little Bit
Some people like to workout first thing in the morning. Other people hate the thought of starting their day off with a sweat.
If you don’t want to workout, start your day with a simple 10-minute stretching routine.
It is SO GOOD for your body to get moving in the morning. (And stretching is a great way to get your blood flowing and build mental clarity.)
As a bonus, you can even do some stretches in bed!
Side Note: YouTube has some great morning stretching videos.
6.) Find Something energy-boosting to look forward to
For many people this energy boost comes from a cup of tea or coffee.
For others it is a warm cup of lemon water or a nutrients packed green smoothie.
Some people like to start their day out with oatmeal, eggs, or yogurt. Others get in a quick HIT workout and a post-workout smoothie.
What makes you feel energized? When you find something that you enjoy (and that is healthy), make it part of your morning routine.
When you wake up in the morning, you want to know that there is something out there that will kick you out of “groggy mode” and into “start the day” mode!
7.) It will take Discipline
Just stop with all the excuses.
If you want to work towards becoming a morning person, you just have to freakin’ do it!
Tough-guy pep talk: Set your alarm. Don’t you dare hit snooze. Push the covers back and put your feet on the ground. Stand up and don’t look back. Good morning!
Embrace self-discipline and stay consistent.
Mark it on the calendar and celebrate each week you successfully keep your “morning schedule”.
Over time, it will get easier. You will actually find yourself enjoying the morning hours a lot more than you did before.
Related Articles: