If you're anything like me, the idea of waking up any earlier than 10 a.m. makes you want to crawl into a hole and never come out. Some of us just hate mornings, and the most productive hours of our day occur in the late hours of the night. However, with life being... you know, life... we are often forced to start our days much sooner than we'd like to. While mornings may never be my favorite time of day, I've learned that there are a few things I can do to make them slightly more enjoyable.
1. Exercise as soon as you can.
Working out before you start your day is a great way to get those endorphins flowing and wake yourself up. The best part about exercising in the morning is that you'll feel good about yourself all day and won't have to worry about fitting it into your busy schedule later on.
2. Get yourself a nice cup of coffee.
The thought of that first taste of coffee in the morning is typically what gets me out of bed. If you're not a coffee person, tea is great too.
3. Go to bed early and get a solid eight hours of sleep.
I know, easier said than done, especially if you're an insanely busy college student. But if you have the opportunity to go to bed early, take it. I've spent so many nights convincing myself that I can function with only four or five hours of sleep, but then it's nearly impossible to get out of bed the next day. If you get a decent amount of sleep, it'll be so much easier to wake up.
4. Prepare for your day before you go to bed.
Pick out your clothes, make your lunch, pack up your backpack... preparing for the morning the night before will make you much less stressed out when your alarm goes off.
5. Think about the amazing nap you'll take later.
I'm almost always motivated when I tell myself that if I finish whatever tasks I have to do, I'll reward myself with a nap later in the day. There's nothing wrong with treating yourself to a little afternoon snooze.
6. Get up early enough to make yourself a big breakfast.
Food is the ultimate reason to get out of bed. Instead of grabbing a quick granola bar, take some time to sit down and enjoy a nice breakfast. It'll help fuel you for the day ahead.
Here are a few healthy breakfast ideas.
7. Create a consistent schedule and stick to it.
I've noticed that the more I get in the habit of waking up early, the easier it becomes. It's nice to have a pattern to your life, especially during the week. You could even reward yourself by sleeping in during the weekend, if possible.
