Waking up early used to be a difficult task for me. Whether I hit the snooze button one too many times or showed up to class late, I always found ways to ruin what could have been a perfect morning routine. Luckily, I have found some easy ways to help make my mornings more enjoyable and productive.
Create a morning playlist.
Waking up in complete silence can be dull and depressing. I avoid this by incorporating a morning playlist into my daily routine. Peacefully waking up to Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes” or Norah Jones’ “Sunrise” can give you a chill yet motivating start to your day. Sometimes, however, I need something more energizing to get myself out of bed, such as more upbeat artists like Lizzo or SZA.
Leave your curtains open.
Before you go to sleep, leave your curtains slightly open. This will expose you to sunlight at an earlier hour and will help your body wake up quicker in the mornings. It is much more encouraging to get out of bed when the sun is shining on your face.
Avoid looking at your phone.
Checking your phone immediately after waking up can easily turn a 5-minute social media scroll into a 1-hour TikTok marathon. To avoid this, try giving yourself at least 5 to 10 minutes to fully wake up without looking at your screen. This allows you to wake up more mindfully and motivates you to get out of bed.
Plan your breakfast the night before.
One of my favorite things about getting up early is eating breakfast. When I plan what I am going to eat the night before, I feel more excited to wake up and get ready for the day. I usually try to keep my breakfast pretty simple and make avocado toast with sourdough bread, topped with a sunny-side-up egg. Use your breakfast as a reward for successfully waking up early!
Use essential oils.
Similar to how lavender oil can help you fall asleep, some essential oils have the ability to heighten alertness and can help energize you in the mornings. I like to put peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils in my diffuser in the mornings. These oils are known for helping with mental clarity, improving focus, and boosting energy.
Take a caffeine break.
Coffee is an extremely important part of my routine. Without it, I probably would not even be able to stay awake long enough to get out the door. I usually use my coffee break as a time to reflect on any goals I have for the day (or complete any last-minute assignments). If you are not a coffee drinker, you can always drink caffeinated tea or a yummy smoothie instead.
Incorporating these steps into my routine has helped me transform from a night owl to an early bird. Now I see my mornings as new opportunities to start my day with positivity while continuously practicing mindfulness within my daily routine. Rather than viewing an early alarm as a dreadful chore, I view it as a chance to practice self-care before starting my day.
“The sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle, and yet most of the audience still sleeps.”- John Lenon