12 Steps to Successfully Become a Morning Person

Today, only 7% of the younger generation are morning people. This statistic gradually increases as people reach the age of 60. But the truth is, most important activities happen in the morning. Work, school, exercise, and creativity all take a lot of brainpower. It is proven that by going to bed earlier and waking up earlier, you can be more focused and productive.

If you are ready to start your journey to early morning productivity, read these 12 tips!

The Night Before

• Go to bed early. 
  This seems obvious, but it is necessary if you want to get up early. You cannot be a morning person without giving up some late nights. Your body will thank you for the 8 hours.
• Don’t sleep with screens. 
  Put the iPad, TV, and cell phone to sleep before you do. It is better to take a hot bath or read a book so that your body is relaxed and ready for a hard slumber.
• Get organized. 
  It’s hard to sleep when you have a lot on your mind. If you have any thoughts before bed, write them down. Set up your outfit, pack your bag, and plan breakfast for the next day so that you don’t have to think about anything when you’re trying to fall asleep.
• Tranquilize your room. 
  Decorate your room so that it is calm and relaxing. Lavender essential oils, comfy bedding, and dark lighting will help you get a great night’s sleep.
• Identify your reasoning for getting up earlier. 
  What is your motivation for getting up earlier? Is it to get things done before the rest of the household wakes up? Getting to the gym before work? Identify your inspiration and then remind yourself of it every night before you go to bed.
• Set goals. 
  If you have a goal for what you will accomplish during the day, you will be more motivated to wake up.
• Ditch the alcohol. 
  Alcohol disrupts the amount of REM sleep we get in the night time. REM sleep is our deepest form of sleep.

In the Morning

• Turn on the light as soon as your get up. 
  Open your blinds or turn on the light right when you get up. This will signal to your body that it is day time and wake you up quicker.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. 
  Breakfast provides energy that will jumpstart your day. Eat healthy choices like eggs, a smoothie, toast, or fruit. It will help you to crave healthy foods for the rest of the day as well.
• Go gradual. 
  Change your routine by incrementally going to bed and getting up 15 minutes earlier each day.
• Always wake up at the same time. 
  Make your sleeping schedule a routine so that your body can get used to it. If you sleep in until 11am one day, but expect to wake up at 6am the rest of the week, it will get confused. That extra time on the weekends will feel great even if you don’t have to show up to work!
• Plan something for the morning that excites you. 
  Whether it’s coffee, yoga, or putting on your favorite song, remind yourself of that when you wake up. You will be much more enticed to hop out of bed.

Although it is not easy, there are so many reasons to make the transition from a night owl to an early bird. Push through the beginning struggle to live a happier, more motivated lifestyle.

Morning people tend to be:

• Happier
• Proactive
• More likely to stick to a workout schedule
• Have more time to get stuff done
• Energized
• Develop more self discipline
• Less stressed
• More immune to sickness
• & more

Once you start to see the benefits of waking up earlier, it will easily become a habit in your daily routine. You will never want to go back to the days of staying up until 2am just to waste your beautiful morning sleeping!

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/07/31/12-steps-to-successfully-become-a-morning-person/