Trust me, like every other person at 5 a.m. on a Monday morning, I still want to be sleeping. However, for those of us who are part-time college students and full-time employees, sleeping in Monday morning isn’t an option. I’m here to help you stop hitting the snooze button and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the day!
1. Put your alarm on the other side of the room.
Whether your alarm is on your phone, or you’re still going old school with a clock, put it on the other side of the room. This way when your alarm goes off, it forces you to get out of bed in order to shut off your alarm. Once you’re up, it is much harder to fall back to sleep!
2. Go to bed earlier.
Easier said than done, right? I know what you’re thinking…”How am I supposed to go to bed earlier when my last class doesn’t get out until 9 p.m.?” I understand, trust me. I’ve been there! However, start small. If you on average go to bed at 1 a.m. after work/class, eating dinner, working out and relaxing then try going to bed at midnight or 12:30 a.m. instead. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel when your alarm goes off.
3. Drink more water
It’s a fact; being dehydrated makes us groggy and extra tired. After sleeping for many hours, your body is generally dehydrated. Keep a water bottle right beside your bed and when your first alarm goes off, take a few big sips of water and get your body going for the day. Not only will it help you wake up but you’ll be a step closer to better hydration!
4. Once you're out of bed...wash your face.
Once you’re out of bed, go straight into the bathroom and rinse some cool water on your face. You’ll be surprised by how much more awake you look and feel. It’s that simple.
5. Reward with coffee (or a good breakfast!).
The fact that you finally got out of bed without hitting the snooze button 18 times probably means you have a little more time for yourself in the morning. In this case, treat yourself! Whether that is a cup of coffee, a great breakfast, your outfit being perfect or reading part of a book. You choose.
Hear me out; this isn’t going to happen overnight (pun not intended). Consistency is powerful so don’t forget that. Start with small steps and before you know it you’ll be waking up effortlessly in the morning without even thinking about hitting the snooze button!