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When you wake up earlier it can change your life.
The world is quiet, your household is quiet, and there are fewer distractions around.
You don’t have to wake up as early as 4:00 am or 4:30 am – wake up earlier depending on your lifestyle.
I know I tried waking up at that time and it just doesn’t work for me. I just don’t function as well, especially in the cold winter months. My wake-up time is more like 5:30 am to 6:00 am. Over time I realized that this is my sweet spot and what works for me.
Waking up earlier can help you to get into the flow of your day.
It can help your motivation, productivity, and it gives you time to have a consistent and healthy morning routine.
5 tips on how to wake up earlier with ease
1. Know Your “WHY”
What is your WHY?
Why do you want to get up early?
What is your motivation to get up earlier in the morning?
What is going to drive you to wake up early?
You can’t just state, oh I want to get up early to become more productive.
You have to be super specific with your why and your goals.
Your WHY has to be strong else you will just brush it off and not take it seriously.
It should motivate you and make you feel excited to get up earlier.
2. Start Small and Slow
Change your sleep schedule gradually.
You need to give your body and mind time to adapt and adjust to the new habit of waking up earlier.
Start by waking up earlier in the morning by 15-minute intervals until you reach your desired wake-up time.
This will help make things easier for you and help you to build a new habit without shocking your body too intensely.
Take it small steps at a time.
This leads me to my next tip.
3. Be consistent – even on the weekends
I know you may be looking forward to the weekend so you can finally sleep in.
But, all that hard work you put in during the week to wake up earlier will go out the window.
Sleeping in on the weekends will mess up your sleeping schedule and will make it even harder to build this habit.
Try your best to be on the same sleep schedule every single day.
For example, you may go to bed every night at 10:00 pm and wake up at 6:00 am every morning.
Strive for a consistent sleep schedule even on the weekends.
Trust me, soon you will get used to it and you will start waking up at the same time every day without an alarm.
Related Reads:
• 8 Things You Should Never Do in the Morning
• How to Start Your Day with Clarity and Focus
• 10 Morning Habits That Will Change Your Life
• How to Create a Better Sleep Routine
4. Don’t snooze or linger in bed
This is a big one and I know almost everyone is guilty of doing this – hitting that snooze button!
Don’t do it!
When you snooze and fall back asleep it’s actually causing more harm than good because you will end up being more groggy and tired.
You may want to linger under the covers because it is warm and super cozy checking social media and/or emails but this will just make you feel more lazy and sluggish as well.
If you struggle with getting out of bed when you wake up you can use Mel Robbin’s 5 Second Rule which is when your alarm goes off and you open your eyes, count backward like a spaceship being launched, 5-4-3-2-1, and just get up!
This will help with the procrastination of getting up.
You can also move your alarm clock across the room so you have no choice but to get up to shut it off but just remember once you get up don’t crawl back into bed, go start your day and morning routine.
5. Wake Up to More Light
When you wake up to sunlight it signals to your brain that it is time to get up naturally.
Light exposure especially natural light helps out with our circadian rhythm– sleep-wake cycle.
To me, this is a much better way of waking up more peacefully vs waking up to a loud alarm clock that startles me awake and sometimes causes my heart to beat fast from an adrenaline rush.
If you don’t have much light coming into your room because of the time of the year or you don’t have many windows in your room then you can invest in natural light sunrise alarm clock.
A sunrise alarm clock has so many benefits and can definitely improve your quality of sleep, well-being, and mood.
Plus, exposing yourself to light first thing in the morning will help wake your mind and body up and give you more energy to start your day.
Final Thoughts
I understand that it is hard to get up early in the morning.
In the beginning weeks of getting into the habit of waking up earlier, it will be difficult as your mind and body adjust to it.
But, with discipline and a great sleep routine, it is doable and with time it will get easier and your body will adapt.
Take it day by day, wake up earlier, enjoy your morning routine, and become a happier and healthier you.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you struggle with the most when it comes to waking up earlier!
Michelle Gagliani
Owner & Founder
Michelle is the Founder of The Balanced CEO and a Holistic Nutritionist + Health Coach. She was born and raised in St.Thomas, U.S.V.I., and is currently living in Austin, TX. When she’s not running this blog and online business, she is cozied up at home watching TV, taking long walks in nature, or trying out new healthy recipes.
These are great tips! For a while I was waking up around 7AM and I would get so much done in the morning. It felt great to be so productive. But, I slowly started sleeping in later as I was staying up later to do more work. Once I’m finished school I’m going to incorporate a sleep schedule and morning routine.
Thanks Katrina! Sounds good! What are you studying in school?
I love this post! I am constantly struggling to consistently get up early. I am going to be trying these tips tomorrow morning!
Yay! I hope these tips help you Kate. Let me know how it goes 🙂
Hi I have just recently began waking up earlier I’m trying to get it earlier but not quite where I want to be I’m a mother of 3 and I would just like to get up before my children so I’m ready for the rush instead of going with the flow every morning plus I’m not much of a morning person myself haha 😆 thank you for tips I’ll be getting myself one of those natural light alarms such a good idea thank you xx
That’s awesome Linda one morning at a time! Yes, those natural light alarms are amazing!
Great tips! I know, I need to be doing more of number 3!
I know that is a tough one!
These tips seem quite actionable. Collectively, they can make a huge difference. Thank you for the insight and value. I look forward to implementing them over the next few weeks.
Thank you Christine!
I love these tips! Great advice about the small steps + keeping a consistent routine! Those are crucial for developing the habit of waking up early. I also agree that waking up with light is SO very helpful. That’s why I love the time change this time of year!
Glad you loved these tips Darby! 🙂
I love this. I am NOT a morning person. But with 2 littles ones, I would love to be able to get up before them for some time to work out. Maybe even drink coffee quietly while doing nothing instead of alway on the run. I’m going to try this. Especially the Robbin’s 5 second rule.
Glad you loved this Christine! A few moments in the morning by yourself will definitely help you start your day calmly. 🙂
As a night-owl who is trying to be more productive in the mornings, this is truly helpful! Will start implementing these tips tomorrow!
Glad to hear you found this post helpful Kendra 🙂
Ooh, great tips! I’m going to try the 5 second space ship one!
Awesome! I hope it helps Erin!
Fantastic
Thank you!
I have the problem of sleeping through my alarm, even if it’s across the room.
Haven’t tried the counting backwards thing though…
Oh wow…you must be a really strong sleeper!
Michelle, such an inspiring piece. I am also an ex-corporate! Great to have found you.
Thank you Isabel!!
These are great! I use that same light that you listed. I love waking up to the warm orange glow of it. And the best way for me to wake up early is to go to bed early lol! I’ve been waking up at 5am again and it’s life changing. I wake up to do what motivates me: work on my blog and meditate. It’s wonderful to start the day with self-care!
I love this Chelsea!!