Lifestyle self-growth

How to Become a Morning Person (in 10 steps)

How-to-Become-a-Morning-Person

I think that we can all easily agree that sleep is one of the best things, ever. Just as your bed is probably one of your favorite things, ever.

It’s warm, soft and comfy- it’s a place that’s pretty difficult to leave in the morning.

Waking up early has SO many advantages, one of them being the fact that you will have more time to do the things you love, more time to spend with your family, or more time just for yourself. If you ever wished that your day had more hours, taking advantage of your early mornings can help you with that.

It also means that you are setting up your intentions for the day to come; you won’t be in a rush and you won’t feel stressed, knowing that you are on time and on schedule.

I wasn’t always a morning person, in fact, I was quite the opposite- I’d stay up all night and only leave myself about twenty minutes to get ready before I was out the door. My morning routine has definitely changed quite a bit over the last couple of years and now, even though most of the time I’m very busy- I still have time to do the things that really bring me joy.

HOW TO BECOME A MORNING PERSON

How to become a morning person

START THE NIGHT BEFORE

Okay, so probably one of the most obvious things I can tell you right now, is to go to bed early and get more sleep, right? Well, it’s not really that simple. I’ve been a night owl pretty much my entire life up until few years ago. When I was college, it was impossible for me to study, write or do any school-related work during the day. It wasn’t until 10-11 pm that I was finally able to concentrate. I’d stay up until 2-3 am, and as you can imagine, I could barely function during the day because of how little sleep I got.

When I decided to start going to bed early, I found that I just could not fall asleep. If you’ve been going to sleep this late for years and years, it’s hard to go “cold turkey” and just try to go sleep at 10 pm. Start by going to bed a half an hour earlier for a week, then try doing an hour, an hour and a half, until it becomes a habit. I also always make sure to have water on my nightstand so that I can drink it the first thing in the morning (your body just went for hours without water so it’s necessary to rehydrate it, this also helps my body to wake up a little) and I also take magnesium right before going to bed, which helps me relax. If you find it hard to fall asleep at first, you can also try having some chamomile tea. Create a routine that will help you unwind before bed.

Related reading:

Nighttime Anxiety: What to do When Your Anxious Mind Won’t Let You Sleep
7 Life-Changing Morning Rituals
4 Mental Habits That Steal Happiness
7 Tips for Removing Negativity from Your Life

WATCH YOUR DIET AND CAFFEINE INTAKE

One of the biggest differences that I noticed after going plant-based, was how easy it became for me to fall asleep and how well-rested I feel each morning. Avoid eating heavy, fried foods and try not to eat right before going to sleep. Most importantly, try to avoid sugary drinks- you’d be surprised how many of them have a very high caffeine content. I used to go through an entire case of Redbull a week and while it did help me stay up at night to get things done, it made me feel super sluggish in the morning and the only thing that’d make feel better was… more Redbull. The same thing goes for coffee. Which I love, by the way. BUT, if you consume a lot of coffee during the day- especially late afternoon- you will find yourself feeling too “wired” to fall asleep. Caffeine is also a vasoconstrictor, which means that it compresses blood vessels, reduces blood flow, and also increases your heart rate and blood pressure. As I mentioned before, we don’t replenish our fluids at night, which results in dehydration- this paired with caffeine’s c effect results in slow blood flow- which will make it difficult for you to stay focused and function properly.

COME UP WITH A BEDTIME ROUTINE

Give yourself at least an hour to wind down, before going to bed. This will help you relax and will let your body know that it’s time to go to sleep. Chances are, you are very busy during the day, you’re running around, working, going to school, taking care of your home, etc. Your body is in constant go-go-go mode, which is why it’s so important to try to slow down at night. During this time of year, I also love leaving the windows in our bedroom opened during the day- it fills the room with that cold, crisp air and getting under the covers feels super cozy. It’s also hard to go sleep when your mind is racing, so make sure that you’re not going to bed stressed– do some breathing exercises, try meditating, pick up journaling.

FIND A REASON WORTH WAKING UP EARLY

I just told you about how I could only concentrate at night during my college days because it was just so quiet and calm. I’ve also discovered that early mornings are just as peaceful. And dark, and quiet. That’s when I now do a lot of my work and writing. Getting up early means that you will have more time, just for yourself. You can get in a little workout, read a book with your tea/coffee, make big breakfast for yourself- all before everyone else gets up and starts making noise. Getting an early start to your day also means that you won’t be in a rush which can be stressful and no one wants to start their day feeling stressed. I personally love getting up early because I find it much easier to write during early mornings.

HOW TO BECOME A MORNING PERSON: START SLOW

If you usually get up at around 7 am, don’t think that you can form a habit of getting up at 6 am in just a few days. Start by getting up 15 minutes earlier, and as it becomes easier and easier, you can then change it to half an hour and so on.

PUT A PAIR OF SOCKS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND

One of the main reasons why I always found it so difficult to get up early was because I always feel cold in the morning, especially my feet. When I hear my alarm clock go off at 5.00 am, the first thing that I do is put on my socks, I do it even before I open my eyes properly. It might seem a little weird, but this really works for me.

FIND AN ALARM SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU

I’ve read countless articles on how to get up early and pretty much all of them mention either not hitting the snooze button or placing your alarm clock/phone across the room. Neither of these things has worked for me. Placing my phone across the room only made me feel angry the minute the alarm went off and I realized it’s out of my reach. Usually, I’d turn the alarm off and go back to sleep anyway. I use an app where I cannot turn the alarm off until I solve a simple math equation- this has worked really well for me. Also, avoid using a song you like as your alarm. You’ll eventually grow to hate it.

DO SOMETHING THAT YOU ENJOY, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

Right after brushing your teeth, that is! It’s hard to motivate yourself to get out of bed early if you know you have to do something you dread. Make sure that one of the first things you do as soon as you wake up is something enjoyable, something you will look forward to every morning, something small, just for yourself.

GET UP AT THE SAME TIME, EVERY DAY

It’s the only way to form a habit- stay consistent and hold yourself accountable. I don’t get up at 5.30 am during the weekends though, but I do only sleep in until about 7 am or 8 am. If you keep at it, eventually your internal clock will reset and you will notice that you won’t even need an alarm anymore. This does take time though.

GET GOING, AS SOON AS YOU OPEN YOUR EYES

Who doesn’t love their bed? Especially in morning, when it’s all nice, warm and toasty. This is why a lot of us fail so miserably when it comes to getting up early; as soon as our alarm goes off, we mute it and go back to sleep. So, it’s important to get going as soon as possible. I find that once I make it to the bathroom and brush my teeth, going back to sleep is out of the question. The Five Second Rule is one I use all the time when getting up, too.

As I mentioned in this post, I’ve had a tough year and sometimes don’t feel like myself anymore, with everything that’s been going on. I tried to hold on to my regular routine very tight, but there are days when physically, I just can’t (yet) handle doing the things I used to do. This included getting up early and getting things done before my day officially “starts.” I sort of had to re-program myself to become a morning person again- which is why I’m sharing this post. I think that taking control of my mornings has helped me feel a bit more like my old self and that the three keys to becoming (and staying) a morning person are: willingness to change some of your habits, sticking to the plan and committing to it daily.

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51 Comments

  • Reply
    Hannah
    October 15, 2017 at 11:32 am

    I really want to be a morning person, as the day feels so much longer when you’re up longer! This is so helpful, I’m definitely going to start keeping socks next to my bed, as I hate getting up in the cold too!xx

    Hannah | luxuryblush

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      Yes! That’s one of the things I love most about early mornings! Haha glad I’m not the only one! Getting up in winter is definitely a lot more difficult! :)

  • Reply
    Ariana
    October 15, 2017 at 11:58 am

    The socks on the nightstand trick is genius! Thanks for sharing this.

  • Reply
    Nikoleta Ljuljduraj
    October 15, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    Thanks for sharing, such a great post! But I like the last one get going as soon you open your eyes!

    Nikoleta Lj, xoxo. / https://nikoletalj.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Holly
    October 15, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    So many awesome tips. I am gradually trying to become more of a morning person and I know this is going to be so useful. It’s the simple things, I love the idea of having socks at the ready!

    Holly from The Art of Being Holly xo

  • Reply
    Very Much Mia
    October 15, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I used to never be a morning person, but now I truly look forward to the ring of my alarm and I’m excited to start my day! I love the idea of keeping socks by your bed- the thing that keeps me from getting up is that it’s so cold in the mornings. I also agree that having something to look forward to makes waking up a million times easier!

    Mia | http://verymuchmia.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Yes! That’s one of those things that always kept me in bed- I’m always so cold in the morning! I sometimes even sleep wearing socks, which my husband thinks is insane lol!

  • Reply
    Kiran
    October 15, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Great post Paula, thank you for sharing. Love the tips you shared, I find it difficult to get out of bed straight away myself so I will definitely try to implement the advice you shared xxx

    ALittleKiran | Bloglovin

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you so much, Kiran! Ahh I know getting up early in the morning can be so difficult sometimes, but you can definitely “train” yourself to love early mornings. x

  • Reply
    Ejiroghene Pearl Mukoro
    October 16, 2017 at 1:33 am

    Great tips! Especially the math alarm one that doesn’t stop till you solve the question. That one is bound to wake you up haha. I think I’m a late morning person but I’m trying to wake up earlier now so I will implement some of these tips xx

    Pearl || http://thepearlylife.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      Haha yes! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been furious at myself for setting the math level to difficult haha. Math is the last thing I want to think of the minute I open my eyes, but hey, it works! :)

  • Reply
    Linda Libra Loca
    October 16, 2017 at 3:21 am

    I always was a morning person. Yes, I´d have the odd late night, but I do work best in the mornings and really don´t after 4 pm. With kids, you need to get up early anyway. At least with mine, both rise at 6 am, no matter which day it is. That means I don´t get any stuff done, but at least I have a routine.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

  • Reply
    Allegra Ghiloni
    October 16, 2017 at 3:50 am

    I’m really trying to push myself to become more of a morning person over this year. I’ve found having a good bedtime routine and getting to bed early has really helped me to get a good night sleep so I can wake up earlier. Thank you for sharing more tips and inspiration.

    Allegra x

    Allegra Ghiloni Fashion Stylist
    http://www.allegraghiloni.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      Routines are everything- especially if you can create a nice, long unwind routine before bedtime. Letting your body know it’s time for sleep really helps you relax and fall asleep a bit faster. x

  • Reply
    Jess Acorn
    October 16, 2017 at 5:24 am

    It’s taken me ages to start waking up early in the mornings but I now wake up at 6.30 and am up and about by 7am and that to me is plenty early enough if I’ve make my breakfast and lunch the night before as well as getting out my clothes because it barley takes any time for me to get ready any more so I can do something I enjoy before I leave for work… great tips!

    Jess | http://acornlifefitness.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 12:58 pm

      It’s definitely a process! Prepping the night before can help out so much! Love that you get to do something that you enjoy before you leave for work. I do the same and it always puts me in a good mood. :)

  • Reply
    Arden
    October 16, 2017 at 5:28 am

    Agreed! Although it’s hard for me to stick with a “go to bed earlier” schedule… But I still am a morning person and I love it!

    Arden | HELLO ARDEN

  • Reply
    Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
    October 16, 2017 at 5:57 am

    Getting up to turn my phone off actually works for me :) My number one problem with getting out of bed is the initial coldness, but once I am up and in a warm jumper, I am more than fine to just carry on.

  • Reply
    Maria 🇬🇧🇷🇺
    October 16, 2017 at 7:12 am

    I absolutely adore being a morning person and could not agree more with all of these tips – especially going to bed early which is usually the main reason people struggle to wake up. Also, changing my mindset and teaching myself to love mornings (whether that’s just the opportunity to have a huge breakfast lol) has been life changing! Loved reading this:)

    maria | whatismaria.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      I agree! Changing your mindset is another great point. We often talk about how much we hate being up early or getting up in the morning- changing that mindset and looking at early mornings from a different angle is definitely a good place to start.

  • Reply
    Michelle
    October 16, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    I am both a morning person and night owl. But I do get a thrill from waking early and checking everything off my ‘to-do list’ before noon. These are all fantastic tips that really work because I’ve tried them before when I needed to catch up on sleep, especially cutting out the caffeine. ♥

    mooeyandfriends.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Lisa Autumn
    October 17, 2017 at 10:11 am

    I think I am quote the morning person :) Love a productive start to the day

    xx Lisa | lisaautumn.com

  • Reply
    Jessica Arzetti
    October 17, 2017 at 11:19 am

    Doing something you enjoy in the morning is a big one for me! I absolutely love skincare so that’s something to look forward to in the morning!!

    Jessica
    http://blendedintoone.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    esterpiub
    October 18, 2017 at 2:53 am

    I love reading blogs in the morning but it’s still quite difficult to resist the temptation to snooze the alarm, so I set up the alarm half an hour before I want to wake up only to enjoy snoozing it and going back to sleep for a little while :)

  • Reply
    Asaake | asakemi.com
    October 18, 2017 at 6:29 am

    First of all, you really wake up at 5am? Girl!!! I would fall every morning. I have tried to be a morning person and i really do admire folks who are but something just never click. I spent the last week literally watching every “morning routine” video on youtube because I realized not having a routine probably makes it even harder. Moreover, working night shift in the medical field screws your entire rhythm even on days when i’m off work. Idk what do do, but i’ll try to pick most of the tips here. I really do look forward to breakfast every morning so many that’ll be my main reason -_-

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 1:17 pm

      Haha yes! I love getting stuff done before I leave for work ;) I think that if you work night shift, then it’s definitely a whole other story. You need your rest and sleep and the truth is that we all do have different schedules. I always look forward to breakfast too, so you’re not alone there haha! :)

  • Reply
    Naya // partyparrotblog.com
    October 19, 2017 at 9:30 am

    I should definitely try out your method! I often flirt with an idea of becoming a proper morning person, but sometimes I feel so miserable – I can’t help it! Thanks for the inspiration! xx

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      October 19, 2017 at 1:18 pm

      Thank you, Naya! I can honestly say that changing my mornings changed my life lol. It especially pays off when you work full time and also run a blog, that’s for sure haha :)

  • Reply
    Natalie Redman
    October 20, 2017 at 11:48 am

    Great post! All very good tips that I NEED to take on board.

    http://www.upyourvlog.com

  • Reply
    peonies passionfruit
    October 21, 2017 at 9:45 am

    Love this post, I like your take on becoming a morning person as I recently did a similar post on my blog. definitely good tips.

    Eme

    http://www.peoniesandpassionfruit.com

  • Reply
    JOHN MULINDI
    October 22, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    Sometime I find it hard to become a morning guy, putting this tips into practice will definitely enable me to make improvements.

  • Reply
    Fashionably Kate
    October 22, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    It is so hard to wake up early, especially in the wintertime. Thanks for these tips!

  • Reply
    Mymakeupdesk
    October 23, 2017 at 8:27 am

    Love this post! So many good tips. I am the worst in the mornings but I think it’s cause I’m pregnant and struggle to get to sleep. What time do you currently go to sleep so that your awake at 5am?
    Also I would absolutely love s to do list blog post on what you do to be productive and get stuff done especially blogging related I seem to have fallen behind lately. Xx

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      November 2, 2017 at 6:44 pm

      Thank you, Love, so happy you liked it!! I’m usually in bed by 10pm. :)

      That’s a great idea for a post, thanks for your suggestion! Sending love!

    • Reply
      Roslin
      July 22, 2020 at 8:52 am

      Hi Paula! These are some great wats to wake up early. Keeping socks next to the bed is so much me. But I always drag and wake up to wear my socks. I will keep it on my side table from now on. Thanks for all the ideas.

  • Reply
    Fatima
    November 25, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    love this post! learned so much going to add these tips in my morning cuz i am not a morning at all.

    http://Fatima8450.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Teya Miller
    October 14, 2019 at 11:40 am

    Awesome post! I’ve never thought about using a song for my alarm clock and now I never will 😂😂 thanks for the tip!

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