If you’re looking for ways to become an early riser, you may be stuck in a cycle of late nights and lie-ins, perhaps missing half of the day or rushing around and being late for work in the morning. It won’t be an easy cycle to break, but it’s well worth doing for your health and well-being. Here are 7 ways to become an early riser that could help you to improve your life.
If you’re looking for ways to become an early riser, breaking the bad routine is essential. You probably can’t break it by just going to bed earlier as you won’t be ready for sleep, so you’re going to have to bite the bullet and get up at the time you aspire to, even if you’ve not had enough sleep. You’ll be ready for bed at a reasonable time then, and can break the cycle.
To start with, getting up early is going to be hard. So reward yourself for your effort with something you will enjoy. Perhaps a special breakfast you wouldn’t normally have, or just sitting and reading or listening to the radio before you head off to work.
If plenty of natural light can come into your bedroom in the morning, you’ll start to wake up naturally before your alarm (certainly in the summer at least). Ditch the blackout curtains unless they’re desperately needed to block artificial light out at night.
Even if you manage to get up early, you may feel really groggy and not ready to face the day. Getting a good breakfast packed with protein is one of the best ways to become an early riser as it will get you going in the morning. You need a protein, fruit or vegetable and a wholegrain. Think scrambled eggs with mushrooms and tomatoes on wholegrain toast or natural yoghurt with muesli and fresh fruit.
Too many people make the mistake of exercising too soon before they go to sleep at night. It will be impossible for you to wind down for sleep when your heart rate and body temperature have been raised and you’re pumped full of adrenaline. Plus, if you exercise first thing, you’ll get a huge energy boost ready for the day ahead.
You can’t become an early riser if you don’t get enough sleep, and our ability to sleep at night is being affected by staring at screens all evening. Turn off the television, turn off bright lights and go for a dimmer lamp and pick up a book instead.
It’s well worth setting aside a full hour for you to wind down and relax. Make sure the television is off an hour before you want to go to bed. Take a bath, listen to some gentle music and perhaps meditate or try some relaxation techniques. Don’t eat anything, drink anything caffeinated or sugary or do any exercise.
Are you an early riser or a night owl? Do you have any tips for getting up early that may be helpful to others?