Research has suggests many different approaches to helping your body and mind wake up in the morning. Sophie Mellor, a health and lifestyle editor at Bupa UK, has translated this research into five practical strategies that can be implemented in daily life.
1. Using apps
Abruptly being woken up while being in a period of deep sleep can take your body longer than an hour to wake up, and sometimes leave you feeling drained throughout the day. Apps such as the ‘sleep time app’ and ‘sleep cycle’ monitor your sleep pattern and wake you up within a half-hour window, based on when you are in your lightest sleep phase.
2. No blue light just before bed
The production of melatonin - a hormone that helps us fall asleep – can be influenced by the blue light in our smartphones, tablets, or e-readers, which is why using these devices before bed can stop us from nodding off. Therefore, to be able to fall asleep easier, you should not look at your phone or other devices for the last hour before bedtime.
It also helps to adjust the light setting on your phone to dim the blue light in the evening. This is done by using the night shift mode, or by use of blue light filter apps such as ‘Twilight’.
3. Moving the alarm to the other side of the room
For many, physically getting out of bed is the initial struggle of getting up in the morning, which is why many find moving your alarm clock to the other side of the room helpful. If your annoying alarm does not stop ringing, and you cannot snooze it, you will be motivated to walk over and shut it off, which in turn has you already up and ready to start the morning. No more motivation needed.
4. Exercising in the morning
Working out before going to work is a great way to feel a sense of achievement before the day has even begun. You might have to adjust your morning routine, but once you get a routine, it becomes easy and the rest of the day will make it worth it – you will feel refreshed and energized.
5. Prepare the night before
One reason why most people cannot make it out of bed in the morning is that as soon as they get up, the stress begins: choosing what to wear, making breakfast, and showering all while in a great hurry because you are running late!
A simple trick is to prepare as much as you can the night before. By choosing what to wear and which snacks to pack in the evening, you can give yourself as much time as you need, and ensure a relaxed morning the next day. The next time your alarm clock rings you will have a leisurely morning lying ahead, which makes it a lot easier to get out of bed.
Not everyone is the same, so some of these strategies will work better for you then others. Take your time trying which ones work the best for you, and which you can combine to become a morning person.
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Source material from Bupa UK
