In this world, you're either a morning person or you're not. Most of us fall under the 'not' category. And why should we, when the sun is streaming in through the window blinding us and reminding us of all the work we have to get done? Isn't it always nicer to hit the snooze and get in a few extra z's? While the idea of that may seem nice, you don't have to be a morning person to maximize your mornings. Most of what keeps us glued to the bed is dread. We fear what the day will bring, we don't want to do things, and we'd rather just forget about it and float back into lovely dreamland. People are actually more productive in the mornings when they can manage time and be efficient. Here's why you should skip the snooze and roll on out of bed. In the end, you'll be glad you did.
- See the sunrise.
One of the most underrated parts about the morning is seeing the sunrise. The morning is a peaceful time without traffic, yelling, or disturbances. It can be incredibly peaceful to take in nature at this hour, and pretend you're the only one on Earth.
2. Do your hardest chore first.
Many people are of the school of mind to procrastinate. However, procrastination often causes unnecessary stress. Instead, get it over with and take the rest of the day to do what you want. Everything else will seem like a breeze.
3. Be more productive.
Studies show that morning people may be better aligned in their career paths. Many professional musicians, athletes and scholars start out early to slap procrastination in the face.
4. Make better choices for the rest of the day.
Chances are, if you start of strong, you'll finish strong. Waking up early is invigorating and often gives you more energy than you think it will and will inspire you for the rest of the day.
5. Take the afternoon off.
So you've done all your work and it's before lunch time? Congratulations! You deserve an afternoon off. Go do something relaxing and fun, and laugh at your slacker friends who are still buried behind piles of work.
6. Be consistent.
Sleep schedule consistency helps keep you healthier. Having a set bedtime and wake time each night regulates your circadian rhythm so that you feel ready to wake up at the same time every day. It'll no longer be a chore.
7. Look forward to breakfast.
Eggs, pancakes, parfaits galore. That's the number one reason I get out of bed in the morning.
Start with a healthy breakfast to get energized and prepped for the rest of the day.
8. Think about your goals.
What's your reason to get up in the morning? What's driving you? Keeping in mind these goals can help motivate us to get them done!
9. Catch the worm.
Or the freshest cup of coffee. Skip lines and always find the best seat in a cafe. The early bird will not have to deal with competition at all.
10. Don't sweat it.
Rushing causes stress and sweat. Not very nice. When you have extra time to prepare for your day, you'll never be concerned about time. In fact, you'll have lots of uninterrupted time in which to do the things you never had time to do before.
11. Take a detour.
With all this extra time you'll have, go do something something enjoyable before you start your day. Take a few laps around the park, go into a fancy espresso bar. Say hello to the other early risers around you.
12. Impress everyone you know.
When people see you've been responding to emails bright and early, they'll be happy to know you're so devoted to getting things done. You don't have to go overboard impressing your friends and colleagues, but just let them know that you care.
13. Always have an excuse to call it a night.
If you're like me and always need an excuse to go home after a late night, you can say, "I have to wake up early tomorrow." People will respect the hard work you do to maintain your sleep schedule. And if they don't, you need to find new friends.
Bee-beep. Time to rise n' shine!
What's inhibiting us from getting out of bed in the morning is probably tiredness. But we'll keep feeling tired the longer we stay in bed because beds are associated with sleep. If we get out of bed, we'll automatically start adjusting to consciousness. So do you feel ready to take on the day? We sure hope so. Good morning!