Morning Person

Work-Life Balance

7 Ways to Become a Morning Person

If you're sick of hitting the snooze button over and over and are envious of your friend who wakes up naturally (how is that possible?) and is as cheerful as a lark in the mornings, then perhaps it's time to try becoming a morning person.


If you're sick of hitting the snooze button over and over and are envious of your friend who wakes up naturally (how is that possible?) and is as cheerful as a lark in the mornings, then perhaps it's time to try becoming a morning person. Waking up early has its benefits: you get more sun exposure, you'll always have time for breakfast or even exercise, and you'll deal with fewer crowds on your commute if you go to work earlier.

  • Sleep earlier. It's hard to stop surfing the web late at night if you're a night owl, but just keep in mind that everything you're doing can be done the next day. Make yourself go to bed earlier, and you'll be able to wake up earlier the next day.
  • Wake up a little earlier every day. It might be hard to suddenly get up hours earlier, but if you set your alarm 10 minutes earlier every day, it's going to be less of a shock to your body.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast. Energize yourself in the morning with a hearty and healthy breakfast. You'll be less fatigued during the day and will be more cheerful in the mornings. If you've been living on just black coffee in the mornings, then is it any wonder that you're a grump early in the day?
  • Work up a sweat. Doing a bit of exercise in the morning can rev you up for the day. You'll feel better after your workout, and you'll be able to attack your work with gusto throughout the day.
  • Keep the same sleep schedule on the weekends. Don't mess up your body clock by sleeping in on the weekends. Try to keep the same sleeping schedule you have on workdays to keep the momentum going. Imagine all the things you can do on a day off when you're up a few hours earlier!
  • Relax before bed. Don't watch TV or fiddle around with laptops or gadgets right before you go to bed, because they are shining light into your eyes and maybe even tricking your brain into thinking that it's earlier than it really is. Make sure the light around you is not too bright when it's close to your bedtime. Try not to do anything too stimulating before bed, and instead focus on relaxing activities, like taking a bath or listening to soothing music.
  • Reward yourself. You'll have an easier time of getting out of bed if there's something to look forward to. Whether it's an exciting chapter in a book or a show you've DVR-ed, reward yourself for getting up early. You deserve it!

Are you a morning person?

Tips

Tips to Drag You Out of the Dark Morning Bed

I don't know about you, but these dark Fall mornings are making it tough for me to climb out of bed.

I don't know about you, but these dark Fall mornings are making it tough for me to climb out of bed. When I should be at the gym getting my workout on, I'm hiding under the sheets waiting for the sun to pluck me from my slumber. With daylight saving ending this weekend things should get a bit easier, but I know I've still got a battle ahead of me. I'm pulling out all the stops with these tips and hoping they can help my fellow not-so-morning people, too.

  • Before you go to sleep, set out your gym clothes in your bed so you don't even have to get out of bed to get dressed.
  • Do some stretches in bed to get your body breathing.
  • Keep a bouquet of flowers on your bedside table. Research shows that people feel energized by the scent of fresh flora.
  • Skip the gym altogether and pop in a DVD for a personal exercise routine in your own living room.

Want to see the rest of the tips?

healthy living

Not a Morning Person? Try This . . .

That morning boost of caffeine might be a hoax, but that's not stopping the majority of people from chugging a cup of joe first thing to jump-start their brains.

That morning boost of caffeine might be a hoax, but that's not stopping the majority of people from chugging a cup of joe first thing to jump-start their brains. If you're hooked on your morning cup of coffee, why not try these drug-free techniques?

  • Sleep with your window shades open: Even if the sun is shining outside, you'll have no idea if you're sleeping in cave-like darkness. Keep your curtains slightly open and as the sun rises outside, it will gently pour in and gradually wake you up.
  • Snooze on purpose: I don't know how people can wake right up after their alarm goes off. I set my alarm at least 40 minutes before I actually have to wake up. That way, I can snooze many times, and it gets my body and mind used to the idea that soon I'll have to get out of bed.
  • Exercise in the morning: If you can, set your alarm even earlier so you can wake up and go for a walk, jog, or pop in a fitness DVD. Or you can even stretch in bed. By doing something you want to do, you won't be so aggravated about having to wake up.
  • Stop eating two hours before you lie down at night: Not only is this good for sleeping, but when you wake up your hungry belly will inspire you to get up and fill it with some yummy breakfast.

Want to know what else may help? Then read more

healthy living

How Many Times Do You Hit the Snooze Button?

I'm one of those people who could sleep nine hours a night and still be tired in the morning — I just love to sleep!

I'm one of those people who could sleep nine hours a night and still be tired in the morning — I just love to sleep! When my alarm goes off, I'm so groggy that I can't even think about waking up, so I usually set it early so I can snooze a couple times and catch an extra 20 minutes of shut-eye. What about you?

Fitness

Wake Up and Work Out

When your alarm goes off in the morning, do you curse its very existence and hit the snooze button eight times before you actually pull yourself out of bed?

When your alarm goes off in the morning, do you curse its very existence and hit the snooze button eight times before you actually pull yourself out of bed? If you're not a morning person, there's no way you could begin to understand how other people can wake up early and fit in an hour workout before getting ready and heading off to work. Yes, some people are just naturally perky in the morning and prefer sweating it out in the a.m., but then there's the rest of us who make a point to work out in the morning because it's the only time we can fit it in.

If you find that you're skipping out on exercise altogether because you're too busy, have meetings, have family obligations, or are just plain exhausted, then morning workouts might be just the thing you need. How can a non-morning person turn into a morning exerciser? Learn a handful of ways to become an early riser when you read more

sleep

Dear Poll: Are You a Morning Person?

Though I occasionally have to hit the snooze button, I’m pretty good about getting up in the morning.

Though I occasionally have to hit the snooze button, I’m pretty good about getting up in the morning. I love having a few minutes to myself before I start getting ready to clear my mind and enjoy that perfect morning sunshine. But for some people, there's just nothing enjoyable about early morning, except sleeping! Which category do you fall under?

Source

alarm clock

Not a Morning Person? Try Flowers

Are you a morning person?

Are you a morning person? Well, if you are always amazed at how your best friend can head to the gym bright and early each morning while you can't even form a sentence until after 8 a.m., then probably not. However, you may be looking for a trick to help change your unpleasant morning ways.

A recent study from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed that non morning people reported being happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the morning. Perhaps the phrase should have been, "Wake up and smell the roses," not the coffee.

So head out to your own garden and cut some blooms to put on your nightstand. Don't have a garden full or roses? Then head to the local farmers' market to get some flowers perfect for waking you up — I'm thinking yellow flowers would do just the trick. Not only will you be getting out of the house and walking around, but you're also supporting the local farmers.

Who knows, you may be more inclined to get up and get active with your day if the first thing you see is a lovely bouquet of flowers, rather than the maddening glow of your alarm clock.

Source

Poll

Do You Consider Yourself a Morning Person?

A recent Gallup poll found that the majority of American adults feel their best, on a typical day, between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:59 am, making them "morning people."

A recent Gallup poll found that the majority of American adults feel their best, on a typical day, between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:59 am, making them "morning people."

Mornings definitely have their merits, and some people find that it is the best time to schedule and stick to a workout. Others, would never classify themselves as morning people.

How about you...

Source

Love and Sex

Cranky in the Morning?

I am a morning person, but not everyone is.

I am a morning person, but not everyone is. Many of my friends hit snooze until that last possible second and then drag themselves out of bed. Does this sound like you? If so, besides your morning cup of coffee, give these techniques a try.

  • Sleep with your window shades open: Even if the sun is shining outside, you'll have no idea if you are sleeping in cave-like darkness. If you keep your curtains slightly open, as the sun rises outside, it will gently pour into your bedroom and gradually wake you up.
  • Snooze on purpose: Set your alarm at least 40 minutes before you actually have to wake up. That way, you can snooze and get your body and mind used to the idea that soon I'll have to get out of bed.
  • Exercise in the morning: If you can, set your alarm even earlier so you can get up and go for a walk, or jog, or pop in a workout DVD. By doing something you want to do, you won't be so aggravated about having to wake up.
  • Stop eating 2 hours before bedtime: Not only is this good for sleeping, but it's a great tip for maintaining your weight. So when you wake up, your hungry belly will inspire you to get up and fill it with breakfast.

Want to know what else may help? Then read more