(DegreeAdvisers.com) – You’re either an early bird or a night owl. There’s no way to change it, right? Well, that’s not necessarily true. While you might not get to the point where you jump out of bed singing in the morning, you can change your routine to make the most of the early-morning hours. This is especially true if you make a plan, stick to it and give yourself something to look forward to every morning.
Have a Plan
If you want to become an early bird, you must first have a plan that includes the time you’ll get up and what you’ll do during your extra time. It seems kind of simple, but if you fail to plan, you’ll likely not follow through. For example, if you say you want to get up early in the morning but don’t have a set time to get up, you’ll probably get up whenever you feel like it. And, if you don’t have anything to do during your extra time, you may get bored and decide to go back to bed. So make a plan, write it down and stick to it.
Love Your Alarm
What does your alarm clock sound like? It matters! A new study shows that a harsh alarm can make you irritable and groggy in the morning. I’m sure you don’t need a study to tell you that, but did you know the opposite can also be true if you wake to pleasant sounds? A melodic alarm can improve alertness and ease you happily into your day. When you’re awake and in a good mood, you’re more likely to get stuff done.
Make It Social
When you have nothing to look forward to and no reason to get out of bed, you’ll likely grumble about rising early. Planning early-morning social events may help. Meet a few friends at a coffee shop, a yoga class or in the park. Have a chat or meeting with friends or colleagues. The key is to schedule something that makes you want to get out of bed.
Get Moving
Early morning exercise is the best. It wakes you up, gets you energized and helps you burn more fat throughout the day. It also gives you a mental boost, increases your productivity and helps you sleep better at night. Additionally, people who work out early are more likely to stick with it.
The early-morning hours, when there are no demands and the house is quiet, can be the perfect time to go get your worm. Whether you use this time to work, study, exercise or meditate, you can get a jump on your day just by setting your alarm for an hour or two earlier. Sure, your body will protest — very much — in the beginning. But soon, it will become a habit, and you’ll begin to see how much you’re actually gaining by waking a bit sooner.
~Here’s to Your Success!
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