If you're not a morning person by nature, do you find it difficult to get up early? You're not by yourself. Don't those extra minutes of sleep usually seem too good to resist?
But why does waking up in the morning seem so difficult? It goes beyond simply having cozy pillows and a dimly lit space.
You may train yourself to get up early without dreading the alarm by being aware of your body's needs and making adjustments to your bedtime routine. Let's look at some strategies to improve your mornings and make getting up early easier.
Why do some people find it hard to wake up early?
It’s not just about not liking mornings; it’s often about how you sleep at night. Your lifestyle, like your job or social activities, medications you take, and health conditions can all affect your sleep quality. What keeps you up might be different from what affects your partner or family.
To improve your sleep habits, it’s essential to know what’s causing your sleep issues.
Here are some common reasons you might struggle to wake up early:
- – Sleep disorders like sleep apnea or shift work sleep disorder
- – Not getting enough sleep or sleep deprivation
- – Mental health issues like depression, stress, or anxiety affecting your sleep
- – Medications such as beta-blockers or certain muscle relaxants disrupting your sleep
- – Your body’s internal clock, known as your circadian rhythm, being off
- – Using electronic devices too much before bed
- – Bright lights in your room keeping you awake
Why Wake Up Early?
Sure, the saying “the early bird gets the worm” can sound cliché, but there are real benefits to going to bed and waking up early.Starting your day late can make you feel rushed and stressed, leading to a bad start. But if you wake up early and establish good sleep habits, you’ll have more energy to tackle your tasks. Whether it’s errands or work, getting an early start can set a positive tone for your day.
Waking up early is also good for your mental health. When you learn to wake up early, you often feel more organized, productive, and ready to face the day. Plus, catching the early morning sun can boost your mood and provide you with essential vitamin D.
Once your body gets used to a consistent sleep schedule, waking up early will become a habit. You’ll find it easier to rise and shine without hitting the snooze button.
Building a sustainable morning routine is important for the long run. While it can be tough to wake up early every day at first, sticking to this habit will eventually become easier. Once it’s a routine, you’ll have a smoother start to your day, every day.
Morning Person vs. Night Owl
Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl can be influenced by various factors. Some jobs, like being a baker, require early mornings, while night shifts, like those for nurses, mean sleeping during the day. Your hobbies and social life can also shape your preference for mornings or nights.
Here’s a quick look at the traits of morning people and night owls:
Morning Person
– Goes to bed early and wakes up early
- – Prefers mornings
- – Struggles to stay up late
- – Energy levels drop as the day goes on
Night Owl
- – Loves staying up late
- – Usually sleeps in during the morning
- – Most active and productive in the evening
- – Finds it hard to stay alert during the day
Melatonin and Circadian Rhythms
Now, let’s delve into the science behind our sleep patterns.Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep. Your body naturally produces it, and its levels rise in the evening when it gets dark. That’s why you might feel sleepy watching a movie in a dark room, even during the day.
Melatonin helps keep your circadian rhythm in sync. This internal clock guides when you wake up, eat, and sleep. You’ll really feel it when your rhythm gets thrown off, like with jet lag after traveling across time zones.
If you need a sleep boost, melatonin supplements can help. They can help adjust your energy levels or help you adapt to a new time zone. You can buy melatonin supplements at many stores or pharmacies.
When it comes to dosage, start with a low dose, like 1–3 milligrams, about two hours before bed. If you’re new to melatonin, it’s a good idea to consult your healthcare provider for advice on the right dose and frequency.
If melatonin doesn’t seem to improve your sleep or morning routine, it might be best to stop taking it. This could indicate underlying health issues that need attention.
How to Start Waking Up Early
Waking up early might come naturally to some, but for others, it takes time to establish a routine. A solid nighttime routine is key to setting yourself up for success in the morning. Here are six tips you can try to start waking up early:
1. Limit screen time before bed
We’re all guilty of spending too much time on our phones or computers before bedtime. However, this can disrupt our sleep patterns due to exposure to blue light.
Try to limit screen time a few hours before bed to help your brain wind down and promote better sleep.
2. Watch what you eat before bed
Eating heavy or spicy foods late at night can lead to indigestion or heartburn, making it harder to fall asleep.
Avoid snacking too close to bedtime, and be mindful of how much you drink to prevent disruptions from late-night bathroom trips.
3. Stick to a consistent routine
Keeping a regular bedtime and wake-up time helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Your body will start to recognize when it’s time to wind down for sleep if you maintain a consistent routine.
4. Consider sleep aids or tools
If you struggle with a diagnosed sleep disorder, talk to your healthcare provider about options like breathing devices for sleep apnea or prescribed medications to help you sleep better through the night. These tools can assist your body in relaxing and promote better sleep.
5. Get Regular Exercise
If you’ve been inactive, it can be harder to fall asleep because your body hasn’t used up enough energy.
Exercise helps combat this by reducing excessive sleepiness and relieving anxiety that can keep you up at night. Even a simple morning walk or short bike ride can help.
6. Stick to a Consistent Schedule
Consistency is key for good sleep. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s internal clock.
When you know you’re getting consistent sleep, it becomes easier to wake up feeling refreshed. Over time, your sleep quality will improve as your body gets used to this routine.
7. Establish a Relaxing Evening Routine
A calm mind and body make it easier to fall asleep. Create an evening routine that includes relaxing activities to help you wind down.
This could be reading a book, doing some gentle stretching, or practicing meditation. Find what works best for you to promote relaxation and better sleep.
8. Aim for Enough Sleep
Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for feeling energized in the morning. Most adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Take a look at your current sleep habits and see how they compare to this recommendation.
If you’re falling short, try adding an extra hour or two of sleep to see if it makes a difference in how you feel when you wake up.
8 Tips to Help You Wake Up Early
If you’re finding it hard to wake up early despite your efforts, don’t worry. Going from waking up at 8 AM to 5 AM overnight isn’t realistic. Here are some additional tips to help you transition to waking up earlier:
- – Set a realistic wake-up time that works for you
- – Place your alarm clock across the room to force you out of bed
- – Open the blinds to let natural light in
- – Plan something enjoyable for the morning, like a tasty breakfast or a walk to your favorite coffee shop
- – Spend time outdoors during the day to help regulate your internal clock
- – Listen to upbeat music as soon as you wake up
- – Take a cold shower to help wake you up
- – Allow yourself to sleep in a bit on weekends
When Should I See a Doctor?
If you’ve tried various strategies to improve your sleep and wake up early but still struggle, it might be time to consult your doctor.
If sleep issues are causing you stress or affecting your daily life, it’s okay to seek professional help. Your doctor can help rule out any underlying health issues that might be impacting your sleep and energy levels.
If you do visit your doctor, keep a sleep diary to track your sleep patterns, how you feel upon waking up, and any other observations. This information can help your doctor better understand your situation.
Your Next Steps
Adjusting to a new routine takes time and self-reflection. Take a moment to evaluate what’s working for you and what isn’t. What are your goals with this new routine?
Learning to wake up early can benefit you in many ways, helping you feel more empowered and at peace with your alarm clock. Embrace the process and remember that small changes can lead to big improvements over time.
