How to Become a Morning Person
I think everyone can agree the sound of their morning alarm will haunt them for the rest of their life — no matter how many times we change it. Waking up early is the most dreaded time of the day for most, but what if it didn’t have to be?
The ability to actually get out of bed in the morning is an essential life skill, especially in terms of “adulting” (or so I’ve heard). Below are a few tips on how to become a “morning person.”
Develop a Morning Routine You Look Forward to
Having something to look forward to every morning is key. This could be a cup of coffee, a morning yoga class, a guided meditation, a skincare routine, journaling, reading, or a walk outside. Whatever you decide, keep it consistent and you’ll see how much easier it is to get up.
Set Two Alarms
Set the first alarm 10 minutes before the other so that you can wake up, but sleep in for another 10 minutes. The second alarm will be for when you actually need to get tf out of bed. I learned this hack in high school and can confidently say it helps ease you out of bed.
More Productive in the Morning? Use this time!!
Don’t have class or work until the afternoon? Wake up at 9 a.m. and sit down at the coffee shop you go to and grind out some work (you’ll thank yourself for it later).
Circadian Rhythms are Real — don’t ignore them.
It’s easy for some people to get up earlier, but it’s actually scientifically harder for others. Our circadian rhythm is our body’s natural 24-hour clock. People usually fall into two different categories of rhythm: “Early Birds” and “Night Owls,” according to the book “Why We Sleep” by Dr. Matthew Walker. You may also fall in between these two categories.
Early birds categorize people whose circadian rhythm runs on the earlier side, and make up 40% of the populace. These people have more energy earlier in the day and find it easier to get up and be alert in the morning.
Night owls make up 30% of the population. A night owl’s circadian rhythm runs a bit slower than an early bird’s. If you are a night owl, you’ll find it harder to be alert in the morning and have more energy later in the day.
Many external factors affect our circadian rhythms, such as school, work, travel, screen time and even our periods (great). You can become the morning person you desire to be, just be aware of what category of rhythm you fall into.
Go to Bed Earlier
Easier said than done, but putting down the phone at night and going to bed before 12 a.m. will benefit you in the morning. Many of us are guilty of scrolling through TikTok into the ungodly hours of the morning, including myself.
To prevent the “you’ve been scrolling for way too long” notification on TikTok (I know this has happened to you too), set aside time earlier in the night for your phone. Use the time before bed to read a book or wind-down with a skincare routine, maybe put some soothing music on while you’re at it.
Make Plans with Friends for the Morning
Lastly, making plans for the morning immensely helps with getting out of bed. A coffee or breakfast/brunch date with friends gives you something to look forward to (like we talked about earlier).
It doesn’t have to be an elaborate weekend brunch, it can be a quick smoothie or coffee run with a friend before class!