It’s possible to turn days around, but by and large, how you begin your waking hours generally sets the tone for how the rest of your day will play out. If you wake up tired and low on motivation, and, dare we say it, slightly grumpy, then it’s unlikely that you’ll suddenly shift into a state of energy and positivity later on. On the other hand, those who wake up energized and ready for action tend to tackle the day with gusto, and that can ultimately have a big impact over the course of a lifetime.
Not currently a morning person, but wish you were? You’re in luck. While people tend to firmly state that they’re a “morning/night person,” it’s actually something that you can control. If you want to begin the day feeling energized and ready to go, then, well, you can — and the tips we’ve outlined below will show you how.
Establish Your Sleep Schedule
OK, first of all, a reality check — you can’t go to sleep at two in the morning and expect to wake up fresh and ready to seize the day at 6 in the morning, not if you’re a normal person, anyway. Waking up fresh is dependent on getting enough hours of sleep, which means you’ll need to be hitting the hay by around 11 pm. Setting your circadian rhythm (your internal sleeping clock) is key to waking up energized, so set a sleep schedule and stick to it.
Improve Sleep Quality
You might go to bed and wake up at the same hour each day, but if you’re also waking up multiple times throughout the night, then it’s unlikely that you’ll be as fresh and energized as you’d like to be. For that, you’ll need 7 – 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Putting together a sleep-friendly pre-bed routine, such as avoiding screens, consuming CBD and THC infused edibles, and meditating, can prepare your mind and body for deep rest. If you still find that you’re waking up throughout the night, then making improvements to your sleeping environment, such as getting blackout curtains, wearing earplugs, and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, can all help.
Don’t Linger In Bed
Waking up refreshed and energized is a gift, but the power will be lost — or at least dampened — if you don’t embrace the feeling. Lying in bed for too long after you’ve woken up will diminish the momentum you’ve earned. The solution? Get moving! Getting out of bed, making a coffee/tea, and, if possible, getting outside will give the perfect start to the day. If you can build in a bit of exercise, such as a light jog or yoga, then all the better.
When In Doubt, Jump in a Cold Shower
The above tips will help you generally wake up feeling refreshed and energized, but you can’t expect to wake up that way every morning. There’ll be times when you just sleep poorly. On those occasions, you can hack your alertness by jumping in a freezing cold shower as soon as you wake up. You’ll hate it at the time, but it’ll do the job.
Photo Credit: Pexels – CC0 Licence