When your alarm clock goes off bright and on early Monday morning, you can’t do help but groan. You hit the snooze button once, twice, maybe even three times before snuggling deeper under the covers and saying to yourself, “Maybe I’ll skip class today…”
If this sounds like you and you’re having trouble forcing yourself out of bed, then follow these 10 tricks to get yourself up and moving in the morning!
1. Exercise
Studies show that physical activity improves overall quality of sleep, so developing a consistent exercise schedule throughout the week will help with getting more restful sleep and waking up each day with a smile on your face.
2. Nap sparingly
Napping in the evening or for too long can mess up your sleep schedule and prevent you from sleeping at night, which tends to cause grogginess in the morning. It’s a hard habit to break and a bad cycle to get into, so do your best to avoid napping. If you must nap, then limit yourself to only a 20 minute power nap. It feels the same as a 3-hour nap, but is healthier for you and your sleep schedule!
3. Pick out your clothes the night before
By laying your clothes out the night before, it gives you one less thing to worry about in the morning. Plus, you’re more likely to pick out cuter outfits than when you get up in the morning and throw on a random hoodie and a pair of sweatpants because you’re cold and tired.
4. Eat and drink well
Don’t drink any caffeinated drinks the night before, because just like naps it cuts into your nightly sleep routine. Also try and avoid sugary snacks like chocolate because it spikes your blood sugar and makes it difficult for you to get a restful sleep.
5. Put the phone down
When you go to bed, go to bed! Don’t sit in bed checking your Twitter feed or texting people or stalking the Instagram newsfeed. Fall asleep as quickly as you can so you can wake up refreshed the next morning.
6. Keep a consistent sleep schedule
It’s definitely hard to do as a busy college student, but try to go to bed at roughly the same time every night. Do your best not to change it up too often.
7. Move your alarm clock or phone
It’s a lot easier to turn the alarm off when it’s right next to you. So, put your alarm clock or phone across the room and away from your bed before you crawl beneath the covers at night so you’ll physically have to get out of bed to turn it off in the morning.
8. Cover Up
Keep a robe by your bed so you can easily put on it to warm yourself up once you do finally wake up!
9. Motivate yourself
When the alarm clock goes off, think about all the things you want to accomplish that day and use that to inspire yourself out of bed. Remind yourself how great of a day it’s going to be!
10. Develop a morning ritual
When you wake up in the morning, take a deep breath and stretch your arms. Do everything you can to get your body moving.
Try these tricks to make your mornings a little less troublesome, and you will thank yourself!