Can You Make Yourself a Morning Person?

I have been working so hard at making myself a morning person.  Growing up my family was known for being night owls, but since having kids and having my own family, I am working hard to make myself a morning person!! I love this guest post that Christine sent me to share with you today!!

Can You Make Yourself a Morning Person?

By Christine H.  

I’m pretty mellow. It takes a lot to rile up my temper and I’d never be violent towards someone I cared about. That’s why when I took a swing at my roommate as she tried to wake me up, we were both shocked.

I blame it on my being as far from a morning person as you can get. I’ve heard that some courts rule that someone who’s only been awake for just a few seconds is clinically insane. At first it sounds crazy… and then it makes perfect sense. To me, at least.

But I’ve always found the prospect of happy mornings really attractive. Elusive, but attractive. I like quiet time, and mornings to myself often seem like the only time for quiet reflection in a hectic household.

Eventually, an inflexible morning work schedule and commute, along with a proactive roommate who got me to eat breakfasts with her every day turned me into… well, if not a morning person, at least someone who doesn’t want to punch everyone in the face first thing after waking up. Here are a few changes that helped me make the transition.  

Get Real Sleep

The National Sleep Institute estimates that the vast majority of Americans are sleep-deprived. This doesn’t just have to do with the quantity of sleep we get, either. Some of it is in the quality. That’s why it’s important to carefully nurture your sleep. Set good habits, and stick to them. That means avoiding eating too late, moderating alcohol and caffeine intake, and keeping distractions like phone notifications from interrupting your sleep. Something that really helped me was adjusting my room so that it was a better environment for sleep. You can find some great tips for that here.

Find Your Favorite Breakfast

Am I the only one sick of hearing which specific food is the magical key to being alert in the morning? I’ve heard a lot about how you need a certain amount of protein in the morning, or how only grapefruit will do. I know some people who are ravenous in the morning, and others who feel sick to their stomach if they eat too early, no matter what’s on the menu. Myself, I like to eat a spoonful of ice cream to bribe myself to get out of bed in the morning. No, that’s probably not the healthiest option, but it makes mornings a little brighter.

I honestly think that there’s no silver bullet for perfect morning food. It all comes down to personal taste. However, it is important to remember that you need real fuel in the morning. If you feel good with matcha tea, go for it. If eggs and sausage make you feel like a million bucks, then make it part of your morning routine. Find something that won’t send you on a sugar crash in 30 minutes, and something that will give you healthy, sustained energy to start the day. Find your favorite routine and then don’t overthink it.

Challenge Your Brain

Whether it’s a crossword on the back of your cereal box, a look at the morning paper, or a mini Spanish lesson on your smartphone, the best way to get the ball rolling in the morning is to wake up your mind with a challenge that you enjoy.

Do Something You Like

Here’s the thing about the morning workout: if it feels like a punishment to you, it’s going to make your mornings worse. Sometimes for me, the only thing worse-sounding than getting out of bed is getting out of bed and then working out. Ouch. It’s salt in a wound. Instead, I treat myself to something that will make me like and appreciate my morning time. I read a book, or listen to a podcast that I like while I do my hair.

Other ideas? Prepare yourself some food you really like. Dedicate 10 minutes to meditation. Designate a certain amount of time to write in your journal. Make a list of things that you’re looking forward to that day. You might like being proactive and getting a start on scheduling out your day and your plans.

Do Morning Stretches

Even if you’re not the type to work out early in the morning, morning stretches are a great helper to get your blood flowing and wake up your body for the day. It only takes 5 minutes of stretches and exercise to start getting the benefits, so get moving. Download a short morning yoga routine or make a list of stretches and exercises that you can do in your living room in your pajamas that make you feel good.

Give Yourself a Specific Job

It might just be doing the dishes or making your bed, but doing a specific chore first thing in the morning, even preparing breakfast or coffee, gives you something to be busy with. It’s a reason not to hit snooze again, and you can do these chores slowly, methodically, thoughtfully, as you’re coming out of your sleepy dreams. Avoid things that will send you into unproductive patterns, like checking social media first thing and falling into an internet vortex, for example, or watching television.

How about you? What solutions have you found to make waking up easier?