It's a brand new day: The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and your alarm is buzzing.
You roll over, close the curtains, and snooze the alarm. You know you should get up and seize the day, but you just can't do it.
Here's the thing: you may be closing the curtains on more than just some pesky sunlight. When you sleep in, you're missing out on prime time for self-care, productivity, and more.
Though waking up early may seem impossible, we have the 10 best tricks to help you revamp your sleep schedule and become the morning person you were always destined to be.
At some point, you've probably wondered if waking up early really lives up to all the hype.
We're here to tell you: it does.
Waking up earlier can...
Get some ideas for healthy habits to help you thrive
Okay, so, waking up early sounds pretty life changing... But if you're accustomed to hitting snooze til noon, it may seem like a daunting task.
Don't worry. Follow these 10 easy tips and you'll be a morning person in no time.
The key to waking up early starts with the night before. You're more likely to get quality sleep if you have a good bedtime routine that helps you unwind.
Not sure where to begin? Try relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, or our personal favorite: journaling. Journaling can help you reflect on the day, and put any bothersome negative thoughts to rest.
With a journaling app like Jour, it's super easy to integrate into your evening routine: you can journal right on your phone, and it only takes a few minutes.
Learn more about how journaling can help you clear your mind and get better sleep.
It's difficult to rise and shine when you're sleep deprived.
Learn more about the signs of sleep deprivation.
If you have a bad track record when it comes to sleeping past your alarm, having an accountability partner can help you stay on track.
Ask others in your household to start waking up early with you. A planned breakfast with them may be just the thing you need to drag yourself out of bed!
Sleeping habits don't change overnight. If you're used to sleeping in until noon, a 5am alarm is a huge shift!
Start small and make incremental changes: for the first week, shoot for 30 minutes earlier, and then keep going from there. This makes you more likely to stick to the change.
Getting plenty of natural light helps recalibrate your body's circadian rhythms - this way, an early morning will start to feel like second nature.
Don't get a lot of sunlight in your home? Try getting outside throughout the day, and be sure to turn on the lights when you wake up.
Research suggests hitting snooze actually makes you feel less well-rested than just getting up in the first place. It confuses your body's "wake up" signals, making you feel tired all throughout the day.
Have trouble resisting the temptation? Put your alarm on the opposite end of the room. That way, you'll have to get up to turn it off.
Once you start waking up earlier, it's important to stick to the change. That means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day - even on the weekends or busy weekdays.
If you often find yourself staying up late to finish tasks, using a daily journal to set goals for the day can help you stay on track.
One of the easiest ways to motivate yourself to get out of bed early? Have something to look forward to.
Try using that extra time in the morning to make a special breakfast, watch an episode of your favorite show, or read a good book.
Get more ideas for building your perfect morning routine
Regular exercise has been proven to help regulate your sleep cycle, according to experts at Johns Hopkins University. When you're well-rested and energized, it's easier to wake up early.
The best part? The results kick in right away. Going for a run or doing some yoga during the day will help you sleep better that same night.
A healthy diet that provides all the nutrients your body needs helps regulate your body's circadian rhythms. Skipping meals can cause you to have low energy, get poor sleep, and have trouble waking up.
Make sure to eat 3 full meals that include fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein.
If you want to wake up earlier, it's important to set yourself up for success when it comes to sleep. Healthy lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, getting outside, and finding time to relax go a long way.
Journaling with a journaling app like Jour can help you unwind at the end of the night, stay on top of your goals for the next day, and take better overall care of your mental health. This will help you sleep well, and wake up more easily.
When you're ready to make the change, ask friends and family to join the journey with you, and be sure to stick to your routine.
About Jour
Jour is a guided, therapeutic journaling app for iOS.
Download Jour to start journaling, tracking your mood, and easily mastering life-changing therapeutic practices.
