Truth: how you wake up sets the course of your day. If you struggle with waking up, we’re here to help—Frenshe has 3 tips for you first thing in the AM (even if you’re prone to waking up on the wrong side of the bed).
Sleep inertia is a big part of your sleep cycle, and an important factor to consider when you’re thinking about improving how you start your day. This refers to a period of 30 to 90 minutes immediately after waking up that is linked to poor cognition, performance, and decision making.
Which is to say, it is impossible to wake up in the morning and immediately feel or function at your best, no matter how well or how much you slept. But there are still things you can do to help!
Let the light in
Did you know that light stops our bodies from producing melatonin? Suppressing the sleep hormone helps us wake up, so we recommend leaving your blinds open if you can, or doing it first thing in the morning to let the light in. If you have to wake up before the sun, however, consider a light alarm clock, and maybe even a sunlamp.
Get your body moving
Whatever you do, don’t hit the snooze button! Not only does it not help you feel more rested, but it can actually make it harder for you to wake up. Instead, keep your alarm out of reach so you have no choice but to get out of bed. And once you’re up, get moving!
Low-intensity exercise has been proven to help reduce symptoms of fatigue, so consider going for a brisk walk, a yoga session, or even a dance party in your kitchen while you make breakfast. Getting your blood pumping is guaranteed to make you feel more energized, and exercising can help you fall asleep more easily later on.
Create a morning ritual you are excited about
We’ve spoken before about how rituals can be an important part of managing anxiety, but the fact is, they can help with a lot more than that. Creating a morning routine that you’re excited about is a way to hack your brain into wanting to get out of bed so you can get things going.
Obviously, not everyone enjoys the same things or has a lot of time in the mornings, so we can’t tell you what works best for you. Just remember: this doesn’t have to be an hour-long process every day! It can be as easy as getting (or making) your favorite drink, writing your morning pages, or even just changing up the products you use in the shower.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash