There are three kinds of people in the world-
- Who are the most productive and creative during the late hours
- Who can wake up early easy-peasy and have a really amazing morning routine and
- the last ones who try really hard to wake up early and make time for things or hobbies they cannot otherwise do, but they just cannot.
I belong to the last category. I really believe that making the right start to your day can work wonders for your productivity, health & overall routine as well. But amidst the daily stress, workload and family responsibilities, waking up early everyday is no picnic.
So, what do we do? I have come with a few simple solutions that worked for me quite well as I have been managing to get up everyday at 5 AM & kick start my day on the right note. Read on..
1. No Screens 1 Hour Before Bed
We all are super addicted to our phones & it can be exhausting at times. After we come from work, we either want to watch TV or unnecessarily scroll our phones until bedtime. Break this habit. Try and do something that calms and relaxes your mind an hour prior going to bed.
I am an avid reader. I read for an hour before I go to bed and it really helps me sleep without any disturbance. There are many other things that you can do; meditation is one such activity or you can draw a nice relaxing bath. Doing any other thing that you love apart from TV or phone will work wonders for your sleep cycle.
2. Do Not Keep Your Alarm/Phone Right Next To Your Bed
Yes, we all set alarms and as soon as we hear the alarm beep, we all hit the snooze button & go back to sleep. We cannot resist hitting the snooze button for those extra 5 minutes of sleep, but let’s not make it an easy thing to do. Keeping your alarm or phone out of the reach will make you step out of your bed to do something about it. And, the next thing you know, you are up & alert without even trying.
3. Try & Stick To A Sleep Routine
7-8 hours of sleep is a must if you do not want to feel all groggy & tired the next day. So, set your sleep schedule according to the time you want to get up & stick to it. I get up at 5 in the morning, so I make sure that I am in bed by 10 PM.
It might take 15 or 30 minutes before you get that sound sleep, so set your routine accordingly. And, do not forget to be consistent; stick to it no matter what. Yes, plans and some situations beyond control will come in the way, but it does not matter even if you skip this routine for one day or so. Be back on track from the next night. It will become a habit in no time.
4. Early Dinner
Having late night dinner or drinks can really mess up with your sleep. Keep a window of at least 2.5-3 hours between your sleep and your dinner/drinks. It can be really beneficial not just for your sleep routine but for your overall health, as well.
5. No Lazy Weekends
You cannot cut yourself some slack on the weekends. It takes time to build a habit and if you let every weekend come in the way of it, then however hard you try, you will not be able to stick to your routine. Relax as much as you want on the weekend but wake up early at the same time for it to become an integral part of your lifestyle.
6. Start A Morning Hobby
There should be something that you do in the morning that would motivate you to get out of your bed. I started learning Tennis, so I got up everyday at the same time even on my lazy days. It really helped me set my routine straight. Take up a hobby or go for a walk with a friend; create a morning routine that you would want to look forward to.
Final Thoughts
So, these are the simple tips that really worked for me. These little changes in my lifestyle not only made me sleep better but also had a positive impact on my energy levels and efficiency too. I also have more time in my hands to do things for myself. So, for me waking up early is certainly a win!