Some people are able to automatically wake up at the crack of dawn and start getting things done.
Then, there are those of us who need an alarm clock with a snooze button we can hit several times before rolling out of bed every morning. Not all of us are morning people, and even those who are have days when they would rather just stay in bed.
If you hate getting out of bed in the mornings, all is not lost. There are several things you can do that will get you motivated to get up and start your day with a smile (or at least without tearing into anyone who has the unmitigated gall to speak to you before your first three or four cups of coffee).
You don’t have to be a morning person to be motivated to get up and start your day. All you need to do is find the right things to get you motivated in the first place. T
oday we are going to offer up some tips that may be just what you need to get up and moving in the mornings. Keep reading to learn more.
Change Your Sleep Habits
Do you find yourself tired and not wanting to get out of bed in the mornings? It could be that you are not getting enough sleep at night. Studies show that the majority of people need to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. It may be that you need to consider adjusting your sleep schedule to ensure that you get the amount of sleep your body needs.
One of the first things to do is to stabilize the circadian rhythm. In order to do this, you will need to start getting up at the same time each day, including on weekends. Here are a few more ways you can change your sleep habits so you can start getting the sleep you need.
- Slow Down in the Evenings – It is important to take it easy in the evenings. Many experts suggest having dinner at least four hours before going to bed, not exercising before bedtime, etc.
- Stop Looking at Screens – Turn off your phones, computers, and televisions at least a half an hour before bedtime. The blue light from these devices can keep you from falling asleep later on.
- Use Sleep-Aid Supplements – While we are not advocating taking addictive sleep medication, you may want to try using melatonin, which is a natural sleep aid.
- Take a Warm Bath – Soaking in a warm (not hot) tub is a great way to wind down and relax, and it will put your body and mind into a relaxed state. This in turn will make it easier for you to fall asleep. Try adding some lavender to your bathwater, as it is known for it’s calming benefits.
- Enjoy the Sunlight – Expose your skin and eyes to natural sunlight in the mornings. This will help your body to create the hormones needed for being awake and getting to sleep at night. It will also train your body to know when it is light out, it is time to get stuff done, and when it is dark it is time to sleep.
Listen to Upbeat Music
Many people find that they are able to get up and moving faster if they have some upbeat music to listen to first thing in the morning. Some people even find that they wake up easier if they wake up to music rather than an actual alarm.
The type of music you choose is also important. You may love easy listening music, but it isn’t exactly going to get you motivated to do much more than relax.
Choose music that is lively and upbeat, so it gets you moving and ready to start your day.
Get Some Exercise
While it may be the very last thing you want to do first thing in the morning, it is true that if you are active early, it will help set the tone for the rest of your day. You don’t have to jog to the gym for an intense workout.
In fact, taking a short, brisk walk is all you need to get your metabolism going for the day. Another option is yoga, which is as relaxing as it is beneficial.
On the other hand, if you are someone who enjoys exercise, you might want to go for a quick jog or gym workout before heading to work in the mornings. Believe it or not, this is going to give you more energy for the rest of your day.
Sure, you will be sore and tired in the beginning, but it won’t be long before you start to notice that you have more energy through the day, and sleep better at night.
Have a Plan
If you wake up knowing that it seems like you have a million and one things to do and not enough time to do them all, maybe you simply need a plan.
It’s difficult to get motivated when you know you are going to be running yourself ragged all day long. Maybe it is time to have a plan and to be more organized.
Knowing exactly what you have to do during the run of a day makes it a lot easier to set your schedule. When you have a schedule, you will know exactly what you need to do in order to feel like you’ve accomplished something.
Try to spend a few minutes every evening planning the following day. You will find it a lot easier to wake up to a plan than it is to wake up and not know how you are going to get everything done.
Make the Bed
If you begin the day by being productive, it is going to help you to be productive for the rest of the day.
So, even though you may think it is just a small thing, start each day by making the bed as soon as you get up, or at least within a few minutes of getting up.
It only takes a minute or two to make a bed, and you will have a feeling of accomplishment once you get that done and out of the way. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about coming home to a messy room with an unmade bed.
Hop into the Shower
A refreshing shower is a great way to start any day. Now, there are those who say they just don’t have time for this.
But, it only takes five to 10 minutes to have a shower, so there really is no excuse not to, especially if it is going to wake you up and help you to feel more alive in the mornings. Also, it will make you feel a lot better if you are nice and clean.
A shower can be quite invigorating, as much as a bath at night can be relaxing. If you don’t think you have time, set your alarm to go off a few minutes earlier.
Sure, you may have to wake up sooner than planned, but once you discover how great you feel after a morning shower, you won’t mind getting up a few minutes earlier than normal.
Have Your Vitamins in a Smoothie
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But, if you are not a morning person, chances are you don’t always feel like making and eating a meal that early in the day. There is an alternative though, and it is one that will give you energy and supply your body with the nutrients it needs.
All you have to do is mix yourself up a delicious and healthy smoothie. Blend some organic milk with your favorite fruit, and it’s ready to go. You can take this with you if you are running late, and enjoy it on the go.
A smoothie will not only taste awesome, but it is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. If you want, you can also add some protein powder to give you even more energy and motivation.
Go For a Walk
Many people say there is nothing like a morning walk to get them motivated for the rest of the day. Just 10 minutes of being outside in the fresh air is enough to get you feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to face the day.
If you have a dog, you will have even more motivation to go for morning walks. Not only will it be good for your physical and mental health, it will be good for your dog’s health as well.
If there are any parks or trails near your home, these would be ideal for short morning walks.
Do a Short Workout
A mini workout is a great way to get motivated in the morning. If you have a home gym, you have everything you need to work out for 30 minutes or so before heading out for the day. This is going to help you to be more awake, and it will improve alertness.
You don’t even need to have a home gym in o order to work out in the mornings. You can do some stationary exercises, such as sit-ups and push-ups, or even do a quick yoga workout.
Yoga is ideal for those who don’t want to do anything too overly strenuous in the mornings. It will get your heart rate up, and because it is also relaxing, it will help to improve that morning state of mind.
Pack a Healthy Lunch, and Some Snacks
We talked about the importance of a healthy breakfast, but it is also important to eat healthy foods throughout the rest of the day as well.
It’s all too easy to grab something quick when you are busy, and chances are, whatever you grab at the local takeout or coffee shop isn’t going to be overly healthy, and won’t be what your body needs to give it energy.
Before heading out to work for the day, pack up a few healthy snacks to take with you. Having these snacks on-hand will help to keep you from going after unhealthy junk food. Items to pack can include cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit, veggies, yogurt, etc.
Meditate For a Few Minutes
One way to get your mind ready to face the day is to meditate for a few minutes each morning. In fact, many successful people say that they do this every morning. If it helps them, it can definitely help you as well. The great thing about meditation is that you can do it anywhere (and a bonus is that it is absolutely free).
There are many different ways to meditate. The easiest method for those who don’t like to do much in the mornings is to simply close your eyes, settle your mind, and control your breathing. Just doing this for five minutes can go a long way to improving your entire day.
Drink Water
We all need to stay hydrated, and it is particularly important to do so in the mornings. After all, sleeping for several hours can lead to some dehydration. But, don’t reach for a glass of juice or a cup of coffee for your morning hydration.
Instead, pour yourself a nice, cold glass of water. Not only is this going to get you hydrated, it can also help you in many other ways. It will make you feel fuller, so you eat less throughout the day. It will also help to transport nutrients through your body, and increase mental awareness.
Conclusion
There are always going to be days when you just don’t want to get out of bed. But, you still have to do it, so it is a good idea to look for ways to get motivated in the mornings. The tips we have talked about today can help a lot. Or, maybe you have your own ways to get motivated early in the day. Just do whatever works for you.