With marathon training in full force and the need to rise early to get those long runs in while trying to beat the heat, I thought today would be a great day to talk about waking up early and more easily.

AllergicToMorningsShirt
 

I’m normally an early riser, yet overslept and missed my run with my friends on Saturday, so I might hardly appear to be an authority on the subject.  That was an exception, and since I normally wake up around 4:15 on my own, fall back to sleep until my alarm goes off between 4:30 and 5:30 most mornings, I consider myself an early riser. 

430AlarmClock
 

 My tips for falling asleep more easily and becoming an earlier riser are pretty simple:

  1. Gradually wake up earlier – Set your alarm for about five minutes earlier each morning until you’ve reached your desired wake-up time.
  2. Go to bed at a decent hour – This is probably one of the most difficult things for most people to do, and this is a “do as I say, not as I do” tip.  I actually wake up easily even if I’m tired, it’s later in the day that my tiredness catches up with me.
  3. Move your alarm clock – Moving your alarm clock to the other side of the room so you have to get out of bed and walk across the room to turn it off will help keep you from hitting snooze over and over.  Consider moving it into your bathroom to help keep you from jumping back into bed.
  4. Keep your bedroom curtains open so the morning light wakes you – In our current house we’re able to keep our shades up overnight because our bedroom is on the top floor of our house and with our sloping back yard, it’s like the third floor.  In previous houses, I’ve opened a shade or two after I turning the lights off for the night.  Of course if you’re at risk of a peeping Tom, don’t do it, and consider getting an alarm that gradually lights up your room instead.
  5. Keep your room cool – Most people sleep better in a cool room, and a good night’s sleep helps with an easier wake-up.
  6. Turn off computers and phones an hour before bedtime – This is another “do as I say, not as I do” tip.  I often read blog posts, articles, and check out Facebook and Instagram right up until I’m ready to turn off the lights, yet have no problem falling asleep.  For some of my friends, this is a big deal and they’re very careful to follow this rule because if having trouble falling asleep, results in even more trouble waking up the next morning.
  7. Read an old fashioned book – There’s nothing like reading a book and nodding off with it falling on your chest, and then turning off your lamp as you drift off into slumber. 
  8. Eat healthy – I always have much more energy when I’m eating well, and more energy makes it easier to bounce out of bed.
  9. Drink plenty of water – When I’m not well hydrated, my body feels like sludge is flowing through it, and I feel slow and lethargic.  Getting myself back to a properly hydrated state, gives me more energy.
  10. Have something you look forward to for the morning – This may seem silly, but I keep a radio in my bathroom and look forward to listening to what the goof balls on my local station have to say each morning.  One of my friends has a coffee bar in her bedroom, and wakes up to the aroma of coffee brewing! 
  11. Try to keep your weekend wake-up schedule similar to your weekday schedule – For me this isn’t a big deal on Saturday since get up early to join my friends for a run.  Sundays if I don’t get up early for church or to run, I often allow myself to sleep until I wake up on my own.  The downside it that it sometimes makes falling to sleep on Sunday nights more difficult.

 

For those of you’re who are just not morning people, please don’t hate those of us who are; and we promise not to be too peppy and cheerful around you until after you’ve had your second cup of coffee. 

On the other hand, you really should give becoming a morning person a try, you have no idea what a wonderful time of day you’re sleeping through!

 

  • Questions:
  • Are you an early riser?
  • Do you use an alarm, or wake up on your own?
  • Who raced this weekend?