Becoming a morning person can bring a big boost to your productivity. Here’s how to become a master of the mornings…
If you’re the kind of person who snoozes their alarm 5 times and needs 3 cups of coffee to get going in the morning, the chances are that the first few hours of your day aren’t the most productive.
Just think how much more you could squeeze into the day if you jumped straight out of bed and got cracking. Here’s our guide to helping you become a true master of the mornings…
Stop hitting snooze
Those extra few minutes in bed seem all important when your alarm’s buzzing at 6am, but actually they can do you more harm than good. If you fall back asleep between wakeup calls, then you risk entering another sleep cycle, which you won’t finish – leaving you feeling groggy for the rest of the day.
The only way to get out of the snoozing habit is to be really strict with yourself – just set one alarm and make yourself get out of bed. You can even set it for 15 minutes later if you want – as long as when you hear it you’re up for the day. Snooze button proving too tempting? Put your clock at the other end of the room so you have to get up to shut it off.
Turn on the lights
Many of us get ready for the day practically in the dark – whether it’s to avoid disturbing a still-sleeping partner or because we can’t quite face bright lights first thing.
But spending the first part of the day in a darkened room tells our brain it’s still night-time, making it difficult to get going. If you don’t want to disturb your partner, take your clothes into the bathroom and get ready in there.
Get in some early exercise
Don’t worry we’re not suggesting you do a quick 5k every morning (although you can if you want), but starting the day with some light exercise helps get your body moving and blood pumping.
Some light stretches or a quick yoga session are the perfect way to start your day. If you can do your exercise outdoors, even better.
Turn off your tech
If you’re guilty of using your phone, tablet or laptop in bed before you drift off, it might be time to banish tech from the bedroom.
The light emitted from the screens can make it harder to fall asleep and result in poorer quality shut-eye. Turn off all gadgets for 30 minutes before bed and you’ll hopefully get a better night’s sleep, making it easier to get up in the morning.
Keep your water levels topped up
Your body dehydrates overnight, which can make you feel sluggish and drowsy. Pop a bottle of water next to your bed so you can have a refreshing drink first thing – you’ll feel better for it.
Get out of bed on weekends too
Many people like to use their Saturday and Sunday mornings to catch-up on sleep, but spending the weekends lazing in bed can make it harder to get up during the week, as it confuses your internal clock. Why not try planning something fun for weekend mornings, like brunch with friends or a day out, to encourage you to get out of bed.
