Becoming a Morning Person: Secrets of Early Risers
Getting up early in the morning can be challenging, especially when you’re tempted to hit the snooze button several times. Some people are actually early risers and consider themselves to be a morning person. What’s the secret to these early birds, and what are the benefits of becoming like one?
There are actually several health benefits of waking up early. Most importantly, you’ll have time to prepare a healthy breakfast, do some morning exercise, and spend some time relaxing before you start your busy day. Many people claim that getting up early gives them more energy throughout the day too.
Early risers tend to be more productive and have a positive outlook. Read on to learn how to become a morning person so that you can experience some of these benefits for yourself.
Planning a morning routine: start with a sleep schedule
One of the secrets of early risers is that they know how to develop and follow a consistent sleep schedule and a healthy morning routine. This routine will set the tone for your day and help you feel more prepared for whatever comes your way.
There is a lot involved in developing a good morning routine. Remember, becoming a morning person won’t happen overnight. You’ll need to create new habits that will change your daily schedule and your nightly sleep schedule so you can start rising early.
None of these plans will work if you don’t have a good, consistent sleep schedule, so this should be your first step before mapping out your new daily morning routine.
Keep a steady sleep schedule
If you want to be an early riser, you’ll need to start and keep a steady, consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each day. This includes the weekends, which means that you shouldn’t sleep in on your days off.
By sticking to the same schedule, you’ll set your body’s circadian rhythm, which will make it easier to rise early over time. Consistently doing this is the best way to develop a good morning routine that will become a part of your everyday life.
Tips on getting a good night’s sleep
Sleeping soundly will make it much easier to wake up early in the morning and develop the best morning routine. To sleep better, keep the room temperature as low as possible and avoid looking at your devices (smartphone or tablet) at least 30 minutes to an hour before you head to bed.
Create a peaceful, restful environment that will help you feel relaxed and calm. Use white or ambient noise if that enables you to fall asleep using a fan or noise machine. Ambient music also works well. Ideally, it’s best to avoid eating and drinking close to your bedtime.
However, if you’re extremely hungry, the best late-night snacks and drinks are healthy and light. Munch on some cold vegetables and hummus, try a bit of oatmeal, or simply drink a glass of water to help you feel full so you can sleep soundly.
Morning routines of successful people
Becoming a morning person takes time, but the proper routine will set you up for success. Not everyone will do the exact same things with their mornings, but there are a few important things that you should try to incorporate into your daily schedule.
Take your shower in the morning
Showering when you wake up not only helps you feel more alert but also ensures that you’re clean and fresh for the day. Try to take your shower in the morning so that you’re starting things off on the right foot.
This is important whether you go into an office or work from home. Showering in the morning may also help reduce feelings of anxiety and fatigue to help you feel alert throughout the day.
Drink water and stay hydrated
When you wake up, a glass of water is a great way to start your day. Try to drink as much water as possible to help you stay hydrated. When you’re dehydrated, it can cause brain fog, fatigue, and headaches.
Drinking a lot of water is the best way to give your body the hydration it needs to stay healthy and alert.
Don’t check your email or phone
When you wake up, it’s tempting to check the latest headlines or read new emails. Doing this as soon as you wake up can make you feel anxious and cause you to feel rushed and stressed.
Try to avoid looking at your phone first thing, and instead, focus on your health and well-being by going directly into the shower or do some meditating. There will be plenty of time to read emails and headlines later in the day.
Morning skincare routine
- If you don’t have time to shower in the morning, it’s important to cleanse your face at least.
- Start your skincare routine by using a quality facial cleanser to remove dirt and oil buildup.
- Once your face is clean, follow up with a toner to remove any leftover makeup, oil, or dirt that the cleanser may have missed.
- Use a serum or moisturizer to target problem areas on your skin. This will make your skin feel dewy and fresh, and a quality moisturizer will help prevent feelings of dryness or irritation during the day.
- Always apply sunscreen to your face before you head out the door. Sunscreen protects you from dangerous UV rays that can cause premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer.
- If you wear makeup, apply it after cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen to your face and neck. A primer will help you create a lovely canvas that allows your foundation and eye makeup to last longer.
Importance of eating breakfast
- Eating a nutritious breakfast can help jumpstart your metabolism, which may contribute to weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight.
- Children who eat breakfast do better in school because they need the fuel to stay alert and focused. The same idea applies to adults too.
- When you eat a well-balanced breakfast, you won’t feel as hungry during the day. This will help you avoid eating unhealthy snacks and can keep you going strong until lunchtime.
Morning workout
Developing a morning workout routine is excellent for your body and mind. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Start a morning stretch routine
Getting your morning stretch in every day will help you feel more focused and alert. Stretching promotes healthy circulation and will also help protect your body from things like neck or back pain.
Practice a few simple daily stretches every morning to get your day started on the right foot.
Benefits
There are many incredible benefits to developing a good morning exercise routine. Daily exercising can improve your mood, help you lose weight, strengthen your muscles, and even help you sleep better at night.
Start your day with some simple exercises to get yourself motivated, energized, and in a good mood.
Fitness examples
You don’t have to be athletic to practice some healthy fitness routines every morning. A brisk 20-minute walk is a great way to get in some daily exercise.
You can also lift some hand weights for a few minutes each morning or try a quick cardio session.
Morning yoga routine
Practicing yoga or meditation in the morning can set you up for a great day ahead. Learn how to do simple yoga poses, then slowly work your way toward more complex poses as you go.
When you do a little bit of yoga in the morning, you’re improving your physical and mental health at the same time.
Morning meditation and journaling
Wellness
Bullet journaling
Keeping a bullet journal is a great way to help you feel more in control of your day and your schedule. This journaling method involves keeping your to-do lists, schedule, and other important information together in one single journal or notebook. Doing this in the morning will give you a sense that you’re in control of the day ahead and make it easier for you to get things done.
Reading a book or the paper
Start your morning by enjoying some quiet time as you dive into a good book or read the daily newspaper. Quietly reading can set the tone for your day and gives you a chance to relax before things start to get hectic.
Even if you are not a morning person, use these tips to help you become an early riser. With the proper morning routine and healthy breakfast, you can start your day on the right foot.
Remember to develop a consistent sleep schedule, get in some morning exercise, and practice self-care to help you become a successful early bird.
**At Free Soul, your wellbeing is our priority, and although we pride ourselves on our expertise in women's health and wellbeing, it is important to acknowledge the individuality of each person. Features published by Free Soul are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease, or replace the advice of your GP. We always recommend consulting with a healthcare provider if you encounter any health concerns, and we’ll always be here to support you so you’re never alone on your journey.