How To: Be a Morning Person

I am often asked about how I get so much done before I leave for work at 7 AM each morning. I’ll go for a run or do a load of laundry, prepare lunches or eat a real breakfast, sit on the front porch with coffee and the morning news, take advantage of the morning light for shooting some awesome Instas… and heck, I’ve even done my week’s worth of grocery shopping before thanks to those awesome 24-hour super markets (bonus: there are no lines at the supermarket at 6 in the morning).

One of the main reasons I love getting my to-do list done before the sun comes up is because I am basically sleepwalking through it. So by the time I head to work I have already checked off a few boxes and barely remember putting any effort into it! Plus, accomplishing tasks early in the day and getting them out of the way leaves plenty of time for guilt-free wine and cheese at night. That's a win all around.

Now, while I do love taking full advantage of the AM hours, believe me when I tell you that getting out of bed at the 5 o’clock hour isn’t something I look forward to (especially in the winter when its pitch black and freezing). Becoming a morning person takes some conditioning, so here are some tips on how you can get there:

1. Go to Bed Early

Easier said than done, I know. Especially in the summertime when you’ll find yourself crawling under the sheets as the sun is still setting. It’s hard to change your routine, especially when your internal clock is so conditioned, but stick to it for a week and you’ll readjust your natural timer. If you’re having some trouble at first, try taking a supplement to help you fall asleep. There are so many out there to choose from, it may take you a few tries to find out which one works best for your body. Do some research and take it for a few nights until you’re able to readjust your clock.

2. No Coffee Past Noon

I love coffee, but I try not to rely on it. I actually find though, that I much prefer how coffee tastes and how it makes me feel when I drink it after a good night’s rest rather than when I am sleep deprived and yearning for bed. While it’s standard for people to use coffee as a wake-up mechanism, I find that when I drink coffee when I am really tired, it actually makes me feel worse. On days when I haven’t gotten much rest, I’ll pick up the water bottle instead of the coffee mug. I find staying hydrated helps me stay more awake when I’m extra sleepy. That’s not to say I don’t drink my fair share of coffee! I love it and do have it most mornings. But I am very strict on only having it in the AM hours. Anything past noon, and you’ll likely find it difficult to fall asleep.

3. Set an Alarm, and Actually Wake Up

I confess, there have been more than many times when my alarm has gone off and I roll right over thinking NOPE and then slam off my alarm clock. (I always set a later back up alarm specifically for this reason.) But if I had gone to bed early and allowed myself plenty of time for a good night’s sleep, I find it easier to wake up with that first alarm. In fact, there have been times when it wakes me up and I think, “I don’t feel like running,” and then I will lay there for three minutes realizing I am plenty awake enough and won’t fall back asleep anyway, so I get up and do it. The mind plays some funny games.

4. Have a Plan

My planner is my lifeline. Some might say I plan too much, but I don’t think there is such a thing, as long as you’re flexible with you plans. I typically outline my week on Sunday, and then fill in more of the details as the week progresses. Make sure before you fall asleep, you know exactly what your intentions are in the morning. Is it to exercise? Is it to prepare your lunch for work day? Is it to watch the morning talk shows? Is it to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee (I mean, how often do we actually get to sit without anything to do!?) No matter what it is, have a plan. It gives you purpose when that 5 AM alarm sounds.

5. Skip Your Plan, But Still Get Up

Ok, ok… so plans are great and all, but being flexible with yourself will allow you opportunities to let zen in. (I can’t believe I just used the word zen… I am so not a zen person… which is probably why I need it most.) My absolute favorite mornings are the ones where I wake up with the intention to go for a run, but instead snuggle in my favorite PJs on the couch and watch somthing on my DVR or sink into a good book. You have to embrace what your body and mind are telling you, and if they are telling you that you need to put on some fuzzy slippers and cozy up, you should listen. Just make sure your mind isn’t telling you this every morning.

So, not a morning person? Give these tips a try for two weeks and let me know how it goes. I guarantee you’ll be up-and-at-em in no time felling at ease and accomplished.