We’ve heard it many times before; ‘successful people’ saying they are a morning person. They start their day right and manage to achieve in one day what takes the average person one week. But you don’t need to be a president or self-made millionaire to change the focus of your day from evening to early morning.
1. Change your Body Clock
If you want to find that extra hour in the morning, it is only sustainable if you move your body clock so that you finish your day an hour earlier and go to bed. Many studies have shown the importance of sleep for long-term good health so don’t skimp on time in bed. Aim to get as close to 8 hours shut eye or as much as you need to feel refreshed in the morning. There is no point getting up early if you can’t function properly during the day due to tiredness.
2. Stop Scheduling Things in the Evening
Morning people avoid making too many plans in the evening. They are winding down after the evening meal and thinking about the next day not going out or squeezing in a couple of hours work. Pretend you don’t have any time in the evenings so you get used to going to bed earlier.
3. Achieve a Goal
Use the extra hour to work towards a goal. You might want to write a book so getting up before the rest of the household to write for an hour each day will help you achieve that goal. You aren’t tired in the morning like you are late at night, so it’s an ideal time to work on your goals when you are feeling refreshed.
4. Enjoy a Relaxing Start to the Day
Recognise that starting your day peacefully without rushing around and yelling at the kids is worth getting out of bed earlier. A bad start to the day can set the mood for the rest of your day.
5. Be More Organised
Have a set morning and night routine. Devote your evening to getting through some jobs that will make the following morning easier. Keep doing them in the same order so they become a habit and you don’t have to think about them. If you associate being more organised with being a morning person you are likely to want to continue with early-morning rising.
6. Eat Healthy
When we’re rushed in the morning, we’ll often compromise on a healthy breakfast to save ourselves ten minutes. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so give it the priority it deserves. Rather than grabbing a slice of buttered toast or coffee, sit down to a healthy meal that will see you through to lunchtime instead of eating an unhealthy snack by mid-morning.
7. Exercise in the Morning
You are more inclined to continue exercising if you schedule it in first up in the morning. It’s less likely that another commitment will crop up at 6 am compared to 5 pm that will stop you from exercising. Enjoy the benefits of improved fitness and body shape knowing you made a commitment to get out of bed earlier. If you need any more incentive research has shown that you burn more calories when you exercise before breakfast!
8. Turn off Electronic Devices
The lights emitted from computer screens and televisions are not conducive to sleep so at least half an hour before bed turn off all electronic devices and turn down bright lights. Read a book (not your Kindle) to wind down before turning out the lights.
Not everyone wants to be a morning person but it’s worth trialling to see if you are a happier, healthier version of your current self by moving your body clock forward an hour or two.