How to be a Morning Person
There’s probably science behind morning people being more successful and what not, but science or not I am 100% a better person and a better lash artist when I wake up early and get to it. I am fully aware that the early bird life is not for everyone, BUT if it is something you aspire to be, keep reading. I am not a natural born morning person, it does not come easy to me, and if you ask my mom she probably has money down on a bet that I could never be a morning person. WELL, pay up mom, because I am converted. These are things that I have implemented into my daily life over the course of years that molded me into the morning person that I am.
Get Enough SleepWell, duh. This one sounds obvious but it just might be the most important. Getting enough sleep comes easy to me because I love sleep and because I can. If your schedule or routine prohibits getting enough sleep then make small changes over time like, going to bed 10-20 minutes earlier and earlier, finding a new time for your evening responsibilities, turn off all distractions, or talk to a doctor about sleep aids. Whatever helps you to get enough sleep, do it. Come morning if you are sleep deprived—good luck! (Not impossible, just harder than it has to be).
Slow and SteadyLike all good things, things take time. It is unrealistic to break habits and change your lifestyle overnight if you want the change to sustain. Change your habits one by one or slowly implement new habits one after the other. I began with waking up with enough time to shower and grab breakfast on the go, then I started eating breakfast at home, then I was able to incorporate a morning workout. I did not want to overwhelm the system. Me, I am the system.
Find the BeautyIf everything in your morning routine is a drag then getting out of bed can feel painful. Find something to look forward to whether that be a yummy drink, a morning talk show, or a simple task. I always look forward to letting my dog out so that usually gets me up. But, I am not a coffee enthusiast so I found a love in matcha tea and/or pre-workout both of which I crave first thing in the morning. One small motivator when first trying to get going early is to reward yourself—wake up and be out the door 20 minutes early and treat yourself to Starbucks or whatever you fancy.
Fail to Plan, Plan to FailWe’ve all probably heard this phrase 100 times in 100 different contexts but it applies perfectly here. If I plan an early morning workout but I have workout clothes scattered from the laundry room to my closet I’ve already talked myself out of going. If I set out my shoes, clothes, gym bag, water bottle, and headphones then I can get ready in auto-pilot while my brain catches up to my body. If I at least have a mental plan before I go to sleep on exactly what needs to get accomplished in the morning it feels more doable than trying to remember every little thing with a foggy mind that just wants sleep.
Jump the GunIf you are learning to be a morning person you can always just rip the band aid off! Plan a workout, schedule a morning client, or anything that forces you up. The only way to be a morning person is to just be a morning person. You can do it!
Torture YourselfJoking, not joking, For me, getting enough sleep is easy, I love a stable routine, and I know I enjoy mornings but I was always sleeping past my alarm despite doing everything else right. Something about an alarm was triggering my reflexes and before I would even realize that it’s morning and my alarm wasn’t just in my dream I had shut it off and returned to sleep. I was constantly waking up mad because I WANTED to wake up early. I messed with different alarms, different sounds, and different snooze cycles until I learned what is best for me. 9 minute snooze? Not for me. 3 minute snooze? Sweet spot. Whenever I’m feeling extra lazy or if I’m trying to wake up earlier than normal I bring out the big guns--An alarm app on my phone that has the most outrageous sounds AND it doesn’t stop until I complete the specified “mission” and that is the torture I was referring to.
Experiment Sleep is so personal to us and I feel like there are endless ways to adjust your routine to find out what works for you. Mix up your routine and try new things! Maybe you don’t like to be woken up to a blaring sound and you need soft soothing sounds or maybe you need to rotate your alarm sounds to prevent getting immune to the noise. Try mixing up your daily tasks to see if you feel more productive—save your workout for later and work on house chores first or add in alone time before you even jump into your tasks. If you feel stuck in your routine, think outside of the box!
