We all have our own set of resolutions, things we'd like to do improve on this year. Some want to eat better and exercise more, while others have specific career goals they're hoping to achieve. But there are also those who simply just want to get more rest and adjust their body clock. One of the key ways to achieve this is to have a solid morning routine. As a morning person, this is something I excel in—let me brag, it's one of the few things I'm good at, lol. Here are a few tips that might help you become one, too.
1. Use your alarms wisely.
I set my alarm for 4:00 a.m. every single day. It took a few weeks to get used to this but the trick is to not hit "snooze." For me, it's the equivalent of getting cold water thrown in my face. Unless I'm dead tired, I try not to go back to sleep because it's harder for me to get up. And as it turns out, there's a scientific reason why you should avoid setting multiple alarms! According to neuroscience expert Matt Janes, "When your alarm sounds in the morning, you are torn out of restful sleep. This shock quickly engages your sympathetic nervous system, the fight or flight branch of your autonomic nervous system. [And when your alarm goes off again later on,] it's multiplying the assault on your brain and body." If it's incredibly difficult for you to wake up in the morning, try adjusting your schedule over a weekend, so that even if you "fail," it won't affect your work, mood, or routine too much.
2. Drink a glass of water.
My mom told me that the first thing my lolo did in the morning was to drink a glass of water. Every night before I go to sleep, I place a glass of water near my bed so it's easily accessible; there's a smaller chance of me skipping this step in my routine because I won't have to drag my ass to the kitchen.
3. Make the bed.
Believe it or not: This was the biggest adjustment for me while I was figuring out my morning routine because it was not a chore I grew up doing. But when I fix my bed immediately after waking up, I'm less likely to get back in bed just because ayos na siya.
4. Turn on the lights.
DO NOT STAY IN THE DARK. The quicker you turn the lights on, the better. If the sun is already up, you can also just pull up the blinds and let that sunshine in. For me, I just run to the bathroom, flip the switch, and then wash my face with cold water.
5. Start your day with something you love.
Listen: If you're a night owl, it's going to be an extremely difficult transition. There's no way around it. One effective tip to help the process is to start your day doing something you love (so you have something to look forward to when you go to bed). For me, it's a cup of coffee and some quality time with our dogs. Or sometimes I just stare out the window and look at the plants in our yard—again, while sipping coffee. The coffee is always there, haha. For you, it might be exercise or breakfast or a podcast.
What's important to keep in mind, though, is that you know your body more than anyone. So if it needs more sleep, don't deprive yourself. Sleeping in isn't a bad thing. It can also be good for your mental health. Follow these tips to establish a pattern and adjust accordingly.
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