They say the early bird catches the worm, but according to a study conducted by The Body Clock Guide to Better Health, only 1 in 10 of us are morning people. What gives? Getting up early is a trait many successful people share including the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Michelle Obama, Anna Wintour and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who each credit it to improving everything from their productivity and motivation, right through to their energy levels and overall happiness – if that’s not incentive enough to roll your clock forward, I don’t know what is. Those extra hours in the early morning are laced with the fresh energy you need to turn haze into hustle and put a much-needed pep in your step for the rest of the day.
So how do you transition from night owl to early bird? I’m going to be real with you… the struggle is real and it’s inevitable that some days are harder than others (rainy days, Monday’s, winter mornings, Monday’s), but hand over heart, just like exercise, it’s something you can train yourself to get better at – trust me, if I can do it, ANYONE can…. here’s how!
Find your why
What is your reason for waking up early, because let me tell you that purpose is better than even the fanciest most fan-dangle alarm clock. Is it to squeeze in a gym class before work? To have enough time to cook yourself a hearty breakfast and make your bed before you leave? To walk the dog? Whatever it is, having a tangible reason for waking up early is the first step you need to take in order to create change and it will act as your voice of reason when the temptation to hit snooze inevitably strikes (because it definitely will).
Change your alarm tone
There is no sound on this earth as unnerving as that of your alarm tone, so it might be high time you shake up the way you wake up. There are a number of apps available that help you get up and at ‘em like Uhp – an app that literally Facebook shames you if you don’t get up, Sleep Cycle – an app that monitors your sleep cycle and wakes you up at a time you’re in a light sleep zone and Snap me Up – an alarm app that makes you take a selfie to turn it off (that’s one album you’ll definitely want to set to private).
List your a.m accomplishments
As petty as it sounds, trust me, nothing will make you feel as smug or more accomplished. Today for example, before I sat down to my desk at 7:30am (the exact time a co-worker sent me a snapchat selfie from bed) I had already made lunch, put on a load of washing, gone to the gym, showered, eaten breakfast, downed a coffee and listened to a podcast. The feeling of accomplishment is damn downright addictive and a feeling you’ll want to relive day after day after day. Waking up early for president!
What’s your trick to getting out of bed? let us know in the comments below!