Night watchers, it’s time to become a morning person, and actually love the heck out of this thing.
Use these 10 simple tricks to wake up early, and sail on your way to a healthier life.
I have always been in awe of people who wake up on time with giant smiles on their faces (and fine, a little bit envious too.)
I was the grumpiest morning person during my school years and always frowned at my friends who came to school looking like fresh drops of dew.
“How are you doing that?” I wanted to ask but never bothered.
I figured since I was waking up early anyway, it didn’t matter if I was sour about it.
Who had the time to work on my morning mood when there were a dozen classes to attend?
(Eye-roll to my past self.)
Now, as an adult, I’ve realized that two things are of utmost importance for a healthy lifestyle – Being a morning person, and actually loving it!
Up until a few months ago, I struggled with both.
But after putting some work into it, I am finally glad to announce I am now a budding morning person. 🌞
Becoming A Morning Person Changed My Life
It truly did.
I mean, I’ve started leaving the bed at 4:30 and hitting the road for a jog by 5:00. Is that a nice change over sleeping till noon?
Heck, yeah!
But the other golden changes that happened to my daily routine were even more astonishing.
Ever since I’ve started waking early, these are the benefits I’ve unearthed:
- Increased focus
- Super Productivity
- No crankiness
- A calmer state of mind
- Larger attention span
- Glowing skin
- And the best one – no more tired, sleep-deprived eyes
Related Post: 5 Amazing Benefits Of Morning Exercise
Can You Become A Morning Person
I’ve already disclosed how cranky I was in the mornings during my teen years. This behavior followed me around for 2 more years.
But these days, I am the earliest bird in my house (and in the whole neighborhood, I think.)
If someone like me, who’s been proclaimed to be an owl since my birth, could turn into a morning person, so can you.
Anyone in this world can shift their morning time, given they go about it the right way.
All you need for this seemingly monumental task is some patience, self-kindness, some healthy habits, and a few tricks that would help you cultivate those habits.
And I’ve got you covered in all those departments!
Before moving on, you might want to pin this post to save for later.
This post is all about 10 simple ways to become a morning person and love it.
Let’s jump in.
10 Ways To Become A Morning Person
1. A Stressfree Nighttime Routine
Stress before bedtime can create an unwillingness to sleep.
A restless mind doesn’t want to sleep on time. It prefers staying up late, worrying over troubling thoughts that shouldn’t even be allowed entrance at night.
Creating a night routine is a super-healthy habit, not to mention it’s a must-do for all the self-care lovers out there.
It creates an atmosphere that encourages you to relax and close your eyes to peaceful thoughts.
Ultimately, going to sleep after a nourishing treatment helps you wake up on time.
Here are a few activities you can add to your nighttime routine:
- A warm shower
- Proper skincare
- Journaling
- Soothing music
- Scented candles
- Reading
Unsure about your nightly self-care practices?
You might want to read: 9 Important Things To Do Before Bed – Night Routine Checklist
2. Make Gradual Changes
The worst mistake I made trying to become a morning person was to attempt overnight changes.
I was impatient and wanted to see quick results in my routine.
So, I’d go all in by forcing myself to sleep by 9 and wake up at 4 A.M sharp.
Granted, my aim toward building a sudden perfect routine was a recipe for disaster.
Impatience and restlessness won’t help you wake early.
If anything, you’ll end up getting stuck in a cycle of day/night sleeping where you don’t have a fixed sleep schedule.
To adopt a permanent habit, make small changes every day till you reach an ideal point.
Here are some gradual approaches you can follow to become a morning person:
- Gradually lower the heaviness of your dinners (light meals make it easier to fall asleep quickly)
- Shift your bedtime slowly (sleep half hour earlier every night)
- Do five minutes of meditation to practice mindfulness and control
- Journal four sentences during your nighttime and write more the next time
- Exercise for ten minutes one evening, then make it fifteen the next. Increase accordingly.
If you think you’re a tad impatient when it comes to adopting changes, read about these 11 amazing ways to slow down.
These are the tricks I swear by for a blissful life, and you might find a ton of useful information in there.
3. Build A Refreshing Morning Routine
Putting your thoughts to bed doesn’t necessitate you waking up on time.
You have to dangle a carrot in front of your stubborn night-loving mind and urge it to wake up on time.
To put it in simpler words, offer yourself an incentive to wake up early.
Because why on earth would you want to wake up to a stressful routine?
If you plan to jump straight to your laptop to finish writing reports in the morning, there’s no way your sleepy brain would cooperate.
That’s where a healthy morning routine comes in (a.k.a, our incentive to be an early bird.)
Here are some cute tips for a glowing morning routine:
- Avoid touching your phone for the first thirty minutes
- Make your bed
- Drink one cup of herbal tea
- Write morning pages to imbibe positivity
- Water your plants
- Take a small walk in nature
- Exercise or do yoga
- Take a shower and get dressed
- End your morning routine with a protein-rich breakfast
Want to know how I make my morning time fun? Check out the 9 morning routine ideas I use to kickstart my day on a perfect note.
Side-Tip: Starting your day with morning affirmations can be amazing for your mental health.
Save these 120 positive health affirmations and read them over your next cup of morning coffee.
4. Improve Your Sleep Quality
Ever wondered how you sometimes sleep for 12 hours, but wake up with a headache, while sometimes even 4 hours of sleep recharges you?
Your bedtime, sleeping hours, and wake-up time are important. But something that’s equally essential is how you sleep.
Your sleep quality sets your energy level for the day. If you sleep well, you’ll naturally perform well in life.
On the other hand, sleeping the wrong way can have tiring effects on your body.
I had no clue about this until I shifted my focus to the quality of sleep. The results I got from these were instant and absolutely golden.
Just by making myself sleep better, I started waking up fresh, and that in turn made a huge difference in my daily routine.
I am so happy that I’ve already created a post on this!
You will benefit greatly from reading about the 10 perfect ways to sleep better at night (the tips in there are seriously life-changing and will help you a great deal.)
5. Use A Journal To Put Your Thoughts To Bed
Each day carries a different weight and adds new meaning to life.
If we don’t stop to put these thoughts into words, we’re wasting a chance to encourage our growth.
At the end of the day, you probably have things you need to put into perspective. And the best way to do this is to journal your thoughts.
Going to bed with a heavy mind can result in a restless night, while a decluttered brain finds it easier to rest.
Bedtime journaling is essential for mental health and creating a proper sleep environment.
When you wake up the next morning, you can start your day afresh and build on top of your sorted past experience.
A post that you’ll love for this task: 50 Bedtime Journal Prompts For A Quiet Reflection
6. Learn To Love The Act Of Sleeping
Could it be that you dread the act of sleeping, and see it as an obligation rather than a restful activity?
Perhaps you worry about not being able to sleep, and this apprehension adds to your sleeping problems?
Throughout my childhood and most of my teen years, I had trouble falling asleep (something I later realized was sleep anxiety.)
I would toss and turn in my bed, staring at the ceiling, and had no clue what was happening.
It wasn’t until I changed my way of looking at sleep that I was able to free myself from this stress.
If you suffer from sleep anxiety, you need to first tackle your perspective on this. Basically, learn how to love the act of sleeping.
Your body thrives after a good night’s rest, and your mind should be on the same page about sleep.
Realize the true value of your bedtime, and you won’t be anxious to close your eyes anymore.
Struggling with an overwhelmed mind? Learn how to calm yourself down using 10 perfect ways that work for everyone.
7. Set Your Intentions For The Next Day
This step is crucial for you to become a morning person.
Planning your day in advance, and setting positive intentions for the next day, significantly increases your chances of waking up early.
Also, it is an amazing practice for people looking to increase their productivity and self-growth.
Here are a few tips to help you set your intentions for the next day:
- Use self-affirmations to cement your thoughts.
- Speak to a friend about your weekly goals.
- Be realistic about your everyday goals.
- Use a daily planner.
- Be disciplined, but also stay relaxed. Balancing both is key to a successful day.
To help you on stressful days, read: 11 Important Things To Remember When You Feel Overwhelmed
8. Use An Alarm Clock
Don’t set an alarm on your phone. You’re just going to hit pause on it and roll right back to sleep.
Instead, buy yourself a loud alarm clock, and set it across the room from you.
This way, when it goes off in the morning, you won’t be able to turn it off in your half-asleep form.
You’ll need to get off the bed and do a zombie walk toward it.
By the time you turn it off, its loud shrill should penetrate through your sleep-induced brain and cause some alertness.
And as for making sure that you don’t roll back to sleep despite all the loud fuzz, that’s where our next tip comes in.
9. Keep Your Morning Items Ready
Right after you’re done shutting your alarm clock, your morning items should be the next thing you notice on the table.
These items might include your workout clothes, shoes, an exercise mat, a morning journal, and ironed clothes that you’ll wear after your shower.
These things will act as visible sources of motivation for you.
It’s also a solid way of communicating to your brain that your day has been mapped out and waking up late (or going back to sleep) is not an option.
Something worth looking into: 11 Beautiful Ways To Change Your Mindset For Healthy Living
10. Expose Yourself To Bright Light The Moment You’re Up
Right after you wake up, it’s a good idea to create an environment signaling the start of your day.
Your sleepy brain needs to get the memo that the night is over and we’re entering a new morning zone.
The best way to do this?
Exposing yourself to bright light!
There are two main benefits to this:
- Light will create an aura of positivity around you.
- And you’ll be less likely to go back to sleep.
Open your windows to let in some natural light and allow some fresh air to come in.
If you’re waking up before the crack of dawn, switch on the brightest bulb in your room.
Keep in mind that light can be a powerful source of positivity. It’s up to you to use it the right way. 🙂
In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.
-Aaron Rose
How To Become A Morning Person From A Night Owl
Welcome to the bonus section of this post.
If you’ve made it to this section, you’re probably a night owl.
I am really happy to have you here because honestly, I feel a sense of kinship with you.
I was once a night owl, and I think I still am, in some ways. It’s just that my core is now a hybrid of an owl and a morning chirping bird.
Here are a few simple tips to help you become a morning person:
1. Find A Middle Ground
A simple fact is that you love staying up at night, but also want to be up on your feet during dawn time.
Find a way to balance both your needs, and you’ll have a perfect route to waking up on time.
2. Sleep Between 10-12
I have found 10 P.M to be my ideal bedtime. However, being a nighttime owl, you might not be pacified by this. And that’s fine!
If not 10, train yourself to sleep anytime till 12 and then wake up by 7 or 8. It is still better than sleeping at 4 in the morning.
3. Avoid Day Naps
Napping during the day might cause a lack of sleep during your bedtime.
Especially for people who have trouble sleeping at night, napping during the daytime is not recommended.
So, all the night owls out there – Avoid taking mid-day naps.
4. Tire Yourself Out Before Bedtime
Exhaustion is a great way for owls to become early birds.
A tired body doesn’t remember its owlish nature. All it cares about is getting to bed on time and sleeping like a baby.
Exercise in the evening, clean your room and take long walks to make sure you fall asleep the moment you hit the bed.
A fun post you might like: 51 Best Solo Date Ideas To Make You Love Yourself
Becoming A Morning Person Doesn’t Have To Be Hard
As long as you are willing to make changes, you will succeed.
Just follow these 10 tips to become a morning person, and you’ll slowly transform your morning routine.
Read next: How To Start Your Week Right – 7 Smart Monday Habits
Liked the post? Don’t click on the cross button just yet. Leave a comment behind with one trick that you use to wake up early. The best comment wins an orange from me. 🙂
Asset says
Absolutely, as long as you’re willing to make changes, you will succeed. Thank you for the great ideas.
Akansha says
I’m happy you liked the ideas. Hope you find them easy to execute. Thank you for stopping by.
tianna says
I’m not really a morning person, when i get up earlier i get so much more done but haven’t able to become a morning person. Thanks for the suggestions
Akansha says
Hi, Tianna! I totally get what you’re talking about. I had the same struggles before I made the shift, and life has never been better. I really hope these tips help you.
Stephanie says
This article is going straight to my husband! I have been a morning person for any years but he just doesn’t understand it. I think after he reads this article written by and expert he will think more about how he spends his AMs!
Akansha says
Oh, my gosh. Your comment made me smile so huge. I am so glad to be able to help! Hope your husband feels inspired to join the AM club. Thank you for making my day!
Chunte says
This is a great post. I’m currently working on my nighttime routine and improving my sleep quality.
Akansha says
Hi, there! I’m glad you liked the post. 😀
If you’re interested, I have a post that might help you with your current goals: How To Sleep Better At Night (10 Perfect Ways)
Hope that helps!
Michelle says
Such a great post and I love that so many of your points are a bit not so obvious ideas that most people don’t think about… like gradual changes. I’ve been trying to get my fiance to be a morning person and we’re struggling lol but I never even thought about gradual changes until I read this post… but it makes so much sense – it’s probably so hard for people who wake up at noon every day to start waking up at 5am right away, and they might get easily discouraged with how shocking the change is. So helpful!
Akansha says
Hi, Michelle! I am so glad you took note of that point. I felt it crucial to mention it and was really hoping people wouldn’t skim past this one. Because a lot of time we get fixated on the idea of trying to change things suddenly, and that never goes over well (as I’ve relayed sadly in the post.)
But I am happy we know now that gradual change can be the path to real change.
Hope you and your fiance have a fun time building these changes. And thank you so much for stopping by. I love your website, so it’s great having you here. 😀
Susan says
I really needed this! It’s gotten harder and harder to go to bed before midnight because I don’t want to wake up just to go to work in the mornings! I’ll try some of these tips as they sound so helpful!
Akansha says
I know what that can feel like. Morning dread is real! But good thing we can overpower it, and I know you will too. Hope the tips work out for you, Susan. They really did help me.
Julie Russell says
Great advice going from night owl to early bird! I’ve struggled going to bed late and getting up early and grumpy. Might have add some of these tips to my routines! I look forward to reading more articles!
Akansha says
I relate to that, Julie. The initial phase of transitioning into a morning person can be challenging, but once you’re on the other end, it becomes the most natural thing to wake up early.
I am happy to know you found the tips helpful. I look forward to hearing from you too!
Thank you so much for stopping by xx
Irene says
Thank you very much for the inspiration! As for the ideas themselves, I’m afraid for me they’re the epitome of hell incarnate… I can’t imagine anything more unbearable than doing yoga or walking in nature… not to mention herbal tea! 🙂 However, your list has inspired me to come up with my own routine. Thank you for the challenge!
Akansha says
I hear you, Irene. Three years ago, I never imagined myself doing yoga and loving it so much. It just so happened that it found me in my times of need and turned out to be a blessing. Same with herbal tea too.
But if I didn’t find resonance in these habits, I wouldn’t force myself to adopt them either. It’s important to be in touch with your inner self and give her exactly what she needs and wants. Thank you for reaffirming this simple truth to me.
I am so glad to know you’re motivated to create a routine of your own! Hope you have fun with it.
jenna claire rovezzi says
I will try to be a morning person with these ideas but I am not a early bird person
Akansha says
I totally get that, Jenna. I’m not a natural early bird either, but the tips in the post really do help. And I’m glad to know you’re willing to try. Wish you all the best!
Jennifer says
I wish we had our own place to call home. We stay with the mother in law and her night routine involves starting an argument over any random thing. One time it was because I had farted. Literally an argument because I passed gas a little loudly (like dad fart level). She thrives on chaos, strife and discord and I don’t get it- probably don’t want to. I wish karma would pay her what she’s due.
My 4 year old son wakes up usually with a smile on his face and announces the sun is up, it’s yellow and hot because it’s a big ball of fire. Then he tells me the bunnies for sale at the Rural King are awake and he wants to visit them today. haha I wish they had jumper cables for tapping his energy!
Akansha says
Hi, Jen. I’m sorry to know you’re unhappy with your living situation. It’s too common in my part of the country to be living with the in-laws, something that I rarely see producing happy outcomes. It doesn’t feel nice to be dragged into an argument over things that shouldn’t even matter. I try to stay away from people who create chaos, but sometimes, it’s just not in your hands. I really hope things get better for you.
And your son sounds like a pure joy of sunshine! I think that’s him in your profile picture? He’s adorable! I hope he never stops wanting to visit the bunnies. And yes, I would love to tap into that energy as well. Let me know if you find those magic cables.
All my love to him and you xx