If you ask us, there’s nothing better than starting the day alarm clock-free. Waking up naturally to the sun peeping through the blinds, snuggled up next to your S.O., with . But then you roll over to take a quick peek at the clock and realize it’s almost noon, and just like that -- the productive morning you had planned will have to wait yet another day. *sigh*
If you’re a night owl and you’ve tried waking up early, you know firsthand how difficult it can be. It’s a pain in the derriere to deal with grogginess in the morning and to be in bed on time -- especially with all the digital distractions nowadays (oh hey, TikTok). But the studies don’t lie; those who wake up early tend to be more successful.
Are you ready to be an early bird who gets the worm? We can help! Read on for six tips on waking up early.
But First, Why Wake Up Early In the First Place?
On a chilly Monday morning, waking up super early might be the very last thing on your to-do list for the day. Who really wants to leave their warm, cozy cocoon of snuggly blankets when you can sleep in a wee bit longer?
Answer: not us! (and not most of the U.S. population).
Yup, it’s true -- according to a recent study, only 8 percent of the general population wakes up by 5 a.m. At this time, there isn’t much traffic on the freeways, the line to feed your caffeine addiction will be at a minimum, and getting a jump start at work to impress the boss is possible. But to most of us, waking up before the sun is basically the equivalent of getting tortured, and even that extra espresso shot in your morning latte can’t always do the job.
Whatever your reasons might be for setting your alarm clock before the sun rises, the benefits of being an early bird far supersede staying up late and waking up sometime after lunch ends. Now, don’t get us wrong -- it’s definitely not the end of the world if you sleep in from time to time, but the advantages of waking up super early are pretty noteworthy.
More Energy
More beauty sleep equals more energy -- plain and simple. If you get into the habit of rising early and hopping in bed early, you’re more likely to have a better sleeping routine. That’ll lead to being much more energetic throughout the day, helping you to accomplish your tasks and goals in a faster and more productive manner. That just means you really have to commit to getting to sleep earlier, so put your phone down (yes, we’re looking at YOU).
Body System Reboot
Regular shut-eye is crucial for your general health. Not only does it help to drop your blood pressure and help your muscles to relax and repair, but studies show that T-cells -- which are the white blood cells that combat infection -- tend to drop when you get a full night’s rest. This is your immune system rebooting itself while you snooze. So, yeah, as fun as it is to pull an all-nighter watching reruns of Gilmore Girls, it might be best to skip it if you want to start the day feeling your best.
Positive Outlook
Generally, if you’re a night owl, those “special” morning people annoy you to no end. Their perky chattering, occasionally singing-selves need to understand that morning should be a time of quiet-- in order for you to fully wake up.
But since those who rise earlier often get to bed earlier, they’re more likely to have received the eight hours of quality shut-eye suggested for an adult’s night’s sleep. And since they’re sleeping the full amount needed for a healthier mind and body, it makes sense that their morning positivity is directly related to their rest. So they’re probably not really that annoying, they just had some extra time in the sack.
Healthier Eating
No time for breakfast? Plan on grabbing something quick and easy on the go while you race to work? Sound familiar? Rising later doesn’t give you the much-needed time to break your fast from the night before and prepare a tasty, sustainable breakfast that'll set you up for a successful day.
According to recent research, late dreamers tend to only eat half as much fruit and veggies and twice as much fast food as their early rising counterparts. So next time you go to grab that dusty granola bar that you’re planning to eat in the car….don’t.
More Organized
Is the saying “not enough hours in the day” top of mind for you? We often drift to dreamland thinking about all the things we’re going to finally get done the following day -- whether that be at the office or at home, or both. Then, something throws us off; we accidentally sleep in, forget something on the way to work, or get delayed in excruciatingly slow traffic, and our day seems to spiral after that. Screwing with your sleep schedule can screw with your entire day, and we’re here for good vibes only.
Being an early bird means you can get a head start on the day, helping to kickstart your morning off on the right foot. Planning and laying out some tasks and goals to accomplish the previous day can help you be more organized and make use of that early start—and we love that for you!
How to Become an Early Riser
If your constant use of the snooze button and your morning zombie routine is getting old -- we can help. Here are six tips on waking up early.
Get on a Solid Sleep Schedule
Schedules. Maybe you love ‘em. Maybe you hate ‘em. But for those looking to swap their late-night ways to start reaping the benefits of rising early, getting on a solid sleep schedule is an absolute must.
Figure out how much shut-eye you need -- seven to nine hours per night is recommended for adults -- and aim to get to bed early enough, so you wake up feeling refreshed.
Stick to your sleep schedule every single day -- including your days off -- and your body will eventually start waking up early naturally. And if you just so happen to have one too many margs out at Friday night drinks with the girls, don’t sweat it—just try to hop back on that sleep schedule ASAP. We’ve all been there.
Improve Your Bedtime Routine
Believe it or not, you may be sabotaging your efforts to get up early without even realizing it. Guzzling down a late afternoon latte and using devices that emit blue light (cough, cough, your cellphone) before heading to bed can prevent you from drifting to sleep.
To improve your nighttime routine, try doing something relaxing before hitting the hay, such as reading or taking a warm, soothing bath. We’re talking #self-care, people! Avoid activities that are known to interfere with your circadian rhythm, ultimately causing restlessness, such as:
- Drinking caffeine within six hours of bedtime
- Looking at screens, like your tablet, TV, or phone
- Napping or spending too much time in bed throughout the day
- Drinking booze before you snooze (okay, maybe you only have to avoid this one sometimes)
Go to Bed With Your Blinds Open
Leave your curtains or blinds slightly open before going to sleep. This way, sunlight can stream through and help you to wake up more naturally in the morning. On sunny days, this can be an effective strategy. There’s nothing like the sun smacking you right in the face to say “good morning.”
Put Your Alarm Clock Far From Your Bed
If your alarm clock is right next to you, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll shut it off or hit the snooze button. Never hit snooze.If it’s far from your bed, you have to get up to shut it off, and by then -- you’re up, even if you had to drag your sleep-deprived body across the floor to get there. Now you just have to stay up!
Make Your Bed
There are many reasons why you should make your bed each morning, but one is that it'll reduce the temptation to climb back in. Rather than eying your warm, cozy, unkempt Big Fig longingly, you will subconsciously resist, knowing that going back to bed means undoing your hard work -- and having to do it again later! Plus, a made bed will look so much better in the background of all your Zoom meetings—we promise.
Don’t Make Drastic Changes
Don’t make yourself miserable by setting your alarm clock a whole hour earlier than usual right from the get-go. Start slowly by waking just 15 minutes earlier than usual, getting used to this for a few days before cutting back another 15 minutes. Do this gradually until you get to your goal time.
Bottom Line
Training yourself to wake up early will take time -- so don’t expect to be able to wake up before the sun does every day just yet! Try implementing simple changes into your routine to help make early wakeups feasible -- such as moving the location of your alarm clock or making your Big Fig first thing in the morning. With these tiny yet beneficial changes, your body will eventually get in the good habit of getting up early. What's Big Fig, you ask? It’s the comfiest mattress on the planet for lovers of all things tacos -- that’s what it is.
No matter your shape or size -- or if you’re an early bird or late snoozer -- everyone deserves to sleep well and wake up feeling rested. For the best sleep of your life, check out Big Fig Mattress today -- you’ll be glad you did!
Sources:
10 highly successful people who wake up before 6 a.m. | CNBC.
WAKE ME UP: What time do Americans start their day? | Edison Research
Duration and Timing of Sleep are Associated with Repetitive Negative Thinking | Springer.com
Why Is Sleep So Important to Weight Loss? | Sleep Foundation
Is The Snooze Button Really That Bad For You? | Mind Body Green
