Make Waking Up Easier With These 3 Tips
We all want productive mornings where we effortlessly get ready for the day ahead. However, because almost half of the population get less than the recommended amount of sleep, the reality is that most of us find it difficult to even wake up and get out of bed. What, then, can you do to make waking up easier? Here are some tips you might want to try.
Consistency is Key
One of the main reasons why you find waking up difficult is that your circadian rhythm might be confused. Technically called circadian misalignment, inappropriate sleeping and waking times can have severe effects on your physical and mental health, including increased risks for cardiovascular diseases and depression. Our circadian rhythm strongly relies on environmental and behavioral cycles, so maintaining it requires consistent sleep and wake-up times.
Plan on slowly moving your sleeping schedule to an earlier time and wake up within a few hours of sunlight in the morning. It would be better to have a reliable device, such as a DAB radio alarm clock, to ease you into your day with soft music or natural sounds so you don’t have to keep your phone with you in your bed. This can also help you avoid mindless scrolling before sleeping or after waking up.
Let Light In
Another way to make waking up easier is to make sure that your room lets in natural light. Studies show that exposure to daylight helps in realigning our circadian rhythm by stopping our bodies from producing melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. Daylight exposure also enhances our brain responses, making us more alert. This, in turn, boosts our positive mood throughout the day. As such, it would help if you could sleep with your windows or blinds partially open so that sunlight could naturally wake you up. If this isn’t possible, try investing in a wake-up light, which is designed to imitate natural sunlight.
Get Sufficient Sleep
It’s no secret that we hit the snooze button because we crave more sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, however, sleeping a few extra minutes in the morning might even be counterproductive if you want to have healthier sleeping habits and to wake up easily. Adults generally need around seven to nine hours of sleep. However, over 35% of us get less than the recommended amount of sleep, mostly because we tend to sleep late as well. As such, instead of hitting the snooze button and waking up a few minutes after your alarm, it would be better if you get more sleep by going to bed at an earlier time.
Our mornings typically dictate how our entire days pan out. Easily waking up at an early hour can mean a productive day ahead. If you’re one of the many people who find it difficult to wake up in the morning, the tips discussed here might just be for you.