Sleep deprivation is prevalent across the board in college students. Most of us lack the healthy habits required to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and energized. If you have a hard time waking up for class, you’re not alone. That’s why I’ve put together these 10 tips to help you go to bed at peace and wake up with ease.
1. Cut Back On Caffeine
Caffeine can disrupt your natural sleep cycle. Not only can it keep you up during the day, but it can keep you up at night. Even small amounts of coffee are enough to push back your bedtime. If you’re a big caffeine drinker, consider cutting back, especially after lunch time.
2. Stop Eating Late at Night
Food gives your body energy, and the later you eat, the later you’ll stay up. Some people suggest avoiding food completely after dinner, while others say that snacking is OK as long as it’s at least two or three hours before you go to sleep. Either way, it’s important to give your body time to digest everything before you hit the sheets.
3. Finish Your To-Do List
It can feel impossible to fall asleep when you have what feels like a million things on your mind. Tossing and turning, worrying about your ever-growing to-do list is a great way to get little-to-no sleep. Fixing this problem is as easy as checking your planner throughout the day. Put your mind at ease by knowing exactly what needs to be done today, tomorrow and the next day. Staying organized can eliminate a lot of the stress that comes with a busy college lifestyle.
4. Develop a Sleep Schedule
If you go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, you can train your body’s internal clock. Giving yourself a set schedule, on both weekdays and weekends, makes it easy to wake up feeling energized and refreshed.
5. Meditate Before Bed
Breathing, practicing mindfulness, becoming aware and reflecting: it’s all a part of meditation. For a full 10-step guide to meditating before bed, read this article from HuffPost.
6. Ditch Your Curtains
This may be hard to swallow, but waking up to natural sunlight can be tremendously helpful. If your alarm goes off but it’s dark in your room, you’ll be tempted to snuggle back up and catch a few more z’s. There’s no better way to wake up your mind and body than with the sun, so even if you can’t fathom the thought of bare blinds on your windows, try replacing your dark curtains with sheer, white ones.
7. Turn Off the Snooze Button
When you set an alarm, disable the snooze button. This is also relevant if you set multiple alarms. Going back to sleep after you’ve woken up can give you that fuzzy-headed feeling that makes it hard to get going in the morning. Try to make yourself get up the first time around.
8. Drink Water First Thing in the Morning
Drinking an entire glass of water right when you wake up rehydrates your body and enables more efficient digestion. It also flushes out toxins and gives you energy. For an extra immune system boost, add lemon.
9. Start Your Day With Yoga
Clear your mind and stretch your muscles by practicing yoga first thing in the morning. This is a great way to set the tone for your day because you’re able to take a few moments to get in touch with yourself. This can mean recognizing how you feel physically and mentally, as well as setting goals and intentions for the day.
10. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Lastly, and most obviously, nourish your body with a healthy breakfast. This goes without being said, but having a nutrient-rich breakfast is perhaps the best way to jumpstart your metabolism and give yourself energy for the day.
Here are a few breakfast ideas:
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Whole grain toast with smashed avocado and a fried egg
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Oatmeal with berries, bananas and almonds
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Vegetable omelet with spinach, mushrooms, onions and peppers
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Whole grain bagel with smoked salmon, tomatoes, onions, capers and dill
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Smoothie with leafy greens, berries and almond milk
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Greek yogurt parfait with granola and fruit
Whether you immediately adopt all 10 of these tips or slowly adopt them one at a time, your mind and body will thank you. Developing healthy habits to go to sleep at peace and wake with ease will not only make your mornings easier, but it will make going to class easier, too.
Image Sources
All photos sourced from Pexels.