Whether you agree or not, waking up early brings tons of benefits to you. In fact, some influential individuals have endorsed this lifestyle, including Ben Franklin, Ernest Hemingway, Michelle Obama, etc. According to reliable scientific studies, waking up early aids with weight loss, enhances creativity, lightens the mood and makes people happier.
But, what if getting out of bed early is a daunting task to you? It seems like climbing and reaching the summit of Mount Everest. But don’t fret; you can easily go for it in a 21-day challenge, which is the span of time that takes an individual to set a new habit. Along with certain techniques, you will eventually gain the staying power to wake with the sun.
According to Annie Lin, a life coach, waking up early gets you to rise with nature and begin with the day fresh. She also stated that you can utilize the time to do vital work without disturbance, may it be personal or professional work.
Here are a few helpful ways on how to be an early bird:
Get into the groove
Humans have grown to be awake during the rising of the sun and asleep during the setting of the sun. Waking up early in the morning and sleeping before midnight is beneficial to the circadian rhythm of the body.
Chinese traditional medicines strongly believed that in order to boost one’s health, an individual should sleep before 11 PM and wake up from 5 to 7 AM to be in sync with the qi’s flow.
Take it slow
Let us face the truth, if you usually wake up at 9 in the morning, then 6 AM wake up alerts is going to be unpleasant. You can begin with waking up 15 minutes earlier than the usual time you get up, and then set your alarm earlier with 15 minutes intervals every day until you reach your aim. Taking it easy is the dependable way to cultivate new habits. The change in habits has to feel easy to trick the brain in passing the resistance.
Mix it up
Make it a point that your every morning routine has diverse activities that associate with your career and personal life. On the personal part, there are 3 steps:
- Clear your mind by writing a journal, watching the sunrise or meditation.
- Strengthen your body by working out in the gym, going for a walk or yoga.
- Feed your brain by listening to music or reading a good book.
And on the professional part, having a clear mind early in the morning helps with your daily planning, creating your career vision and undertaking business works that need a great deal of energy.
Make it pleasurable
Early-morning hours are great times to start with any task, but that reason won’t likely be sufficient to maintain your routine for the long term. So, make time to do activities that will entice you to wake up early.
Treat yourself with pleasurable morning routines such as getting a hot cup of cocoa or engage in something that is enjoyable for you.
Expose yourself to natural light
During the course of the day, make sure to get that daily dose of Vitamin D. And if it is not sunny, you can go outside for at least 15 minutes to have some fresh air or just sit near the window so you can be exposed to natural light.
In places where it’s dreary and gloomy, particularly in the winter months, it might a great idea to invest in sun lamps. It is very helpful for our body clock and is also associated with decreasing the symptoms of depression by regulating the chemicals in the body.
Always have something to look forward to
Schedule your week so that you have something to look forward to, even if that something is calling a friend to catch up, or trying out a new place for lunch. Set up activities with family or friends throughout the week you. Give yourself a reason to hop out of bed. Don’t wait for Friday to be excited.
Once you are able to start waking up earlier, the way you spend your time is yours. Maybe you want an extra hour every morning to start a personal side business you’ve been dreaming about. Maybe you want a peaceful time to enjoy a cup of coffee, completely alone in your kitchen.
My suggestion is to take some time at the start of your day to focus on being present in the moment. Life is hectic, and we are constantly being pulled in opposite directions. The morning is the perfect time to catch up with yourself.
As you enjoy your coffee and get ready, name five things you are currently thankful for in your life. Make a list of what you have already accomplished this week that you’re proud of. Beginning your day with serenity, mindfulness and gratitude will set the tone for the rest of your day.
Take a break
It is okay to devote to a few “slack days” to sleep in if you like, most particularly during weekends. And do not worry if you can’t wake up early all the time. It is expected that you will fall off the wagon sometimes.
The changes should not be too extreme; however, it is vital to know that there will be minor changes. At first, it is going to be rough, but that is not bad. Remember, it will be very worth it.
