The ABC of Becoming a Morning Person

Does the thought of getting up five minutes earlier than necessary have you running for your duvet? You’re not alone. Many of us believe that becoming a morning person is a pipe dream. A lofty aspiration that our love of sleep will always trump. 

Of lying in bed while those crazy morning people go for runs, meditate and tick off to-do lists that for the rest of us can wait till our alarm bosses us out of bed, thank you very much.

While that extra time in bed may feel scrummy, getting up a little earlier could do wonders for your health, self-esteem and even your bank balance. And despite what you may think, becoming a morning person is not as complicated as it seems. With these easy tips and a bit of effort, you could join the elite morning club. Pour a coffee, and let’s get to it.

What is the secret of becoming a morning person?

You must have wondered this when dealing with those super ‘perky’ colleagues at morning meetings. Well, there is no one secret to becoming a morning person- there are actually a few. From increasing your melatonin to exercising more and adding some sleepy snacks to your diet. Let’s take a closer look at the easy ways to optimise well-being and wake up feeling ready for the day.

What are the bedtime basics that make a morning  person

If you want to become a morning person, taking care of your bedtime routine is a top priority. We live in a world that encourages us to work later, scroll through screens till we can’t keep our eyes open and not give ourselves the rest we need to thrive. Give yourself an ‘unwind’ time, after which you only do restorative activities. Think cooking a nice meal, watching a movie, or chatting with a friend.

This will allow your mind to slow down. Avoiding blue light at least two hours before bed will signal to your brain it’s time to switch off. Enjoying a warm bath or hot shower will help your temperature drop, encouraging the production of melatonin that will make you sleepy.

Make sure your bedroom is nice and cool. Choosing naturally thermo-regulating bedding will prevent overheating that can cause you to toss and turn throughout the night.

A gentle eye mask can also be used to block out any sneaky light. Try to leave your phone, responsibilities and worries outside the door. The deeper you sleep, the easier it will be to bounce out of bed before the alarm clock in the morning.

What do the studies say about becoming a morning person?

Plenty of research has been done into the key to becoming a morning person. Much of the science suggests one secret is having a morning routine. A regular morning routine can boost everything from your mood to productivity and even reduce stress levels. Give yourself something to do that feels good as soon as you get up, whether it’s a morning walk, journaling or a good stretch – this can encourage you to get up at the same time every day. Our bodies like regularity and consistency, especially when it comes to sleep. This can help to regulate melatonin production and energy levels, leading to a night of higher-quality sleep. Our recent study reveals that over 15% of sleepers rate their sleep quality below average, so a good morning routine could be just what the nation needs.

How can technology help?

The good news is when it comes to becoming a morning person, technology is on your side. Here is our round-up of the best tech hacks to falling in love with your mornings.

A Smart Alarm

Fed up with a noisy, bossy alarm? It’s not the warmest welcome to your morning, so why not try something a little more gentle? Smart alarm clocks feature unique technologies to ease you into the day, from natural sounds to various lights. Finally, an alarm you can look forward to setting.

Sleep Apps

Certain sleep apps are designed not to drift off more easily with meditations and relaxing stories; they can also help you set a personalised alarm that suits your sleeping needs. Increasing your sleep duration will also help prepare you for that alarm.

Wake-Up Lamps

Wake-up lights ease you into the morning with lighting that can mimic sunrise, providing you with all the natural benefits of daylight even on darker mornings. They can also help to regulate your melatonin production by keeping your light exposure consistent.

How can you make wellbeing a priority?

To become a morning person, it’s best to use the ‘carrot over stick’ approach. Instead of forcing yourself to do something tedious when you wake up like cleaning the oven (yawn!) Do something you will enjoy. It could be a morning workout, spending some time on that great novel idea or simply watching the sunrise with your dog! How you use that extra time in the morning can make a big difference in whether you stick to getting up earlier. Take some time to think about what would enrich your life by spending more time doing. We are all different when it comes to what brings us joy, make it something worth getting out of bed for.

Whatever you choose to do, cherish it. This is where the benefits for your health and well-being can really be felt. Giving yourself some quality ‘you time while the night owls sleep can set you up for a far more productive, happier day.

The Take-Away

Changing our lifestyles can be hard and take time; try to be patient with yourself, and don’t worry if you miss the alarm a few times. With these simple tips, you will soon be on your way to joining that bright-eyed and bushy-tailed morning club. And whether it’s a beautiful sunrise or a morning run, every extra minute will be worth it!

Sweet Dreams!

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