If you are anything like us, especially if you are a first year, you probably wonder when it’s going to get easier to wake up for those eight a.m. classes. Well, the good news is, it actually will get easier — it just might take some work and establishing a solid routine first. VALLEY is here to help you with some ways to make the mornings seem effortless and maybe even potentially transform you into a morning person.
Delicious and Nutritious
When people tell you “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” they are not kidding. Not only does having a good breakfast start your metabolism and give you energy for the day, but it also greatly improves your mood. Starting off the day with a full stomach creates the perfect foundation and fuel to get you through until lunch in the afternoon. A lot of people have the tendency to be cranky in the morning, waking up is a struggle enough already, so no one should be hangry on top of that too!
Studies have found that your body and brain crave food in the morning — and one, large iced coffee alone is not going to cut it. Even just eating something small is better than not eating at all. From an Eggo waffle to a bowl of yogurt and fruit, all food is good food. So, the first step to start enjoying mornings is by filling that tummy and giving yourself some fuel.
Let the Light In
One thing that especially makes waking up in the morning difficult is how dark and cozy it feels in your room. Something that will help you get up is by keeping your curtains or blinds open. The light of the sun rising will make for an easier transition between sleeping and waking up.
Now, we know this idea is not for everyone and keeping the blinds closed can be a privacy issue, but an alternative to keeping them open all night would be opening them right when you get up. It gives you a reason to get out of bed and allows the natural light of day to be the first thing you see instead of some oppressing, artificial overhead light.
Don’t Hit Snooze
As tempting as it can be to keep snoozing your alarm, VALLEY is going to encourage you to actually set them an extra 45 minutes to an hour earlier than you actually need to wake up. Shocking, we know, but hear us out.
Every time you snooze your alarm, you are setting your body back up to go into its REM cycle. It is very confusing for your brain and body — and makes you more tired! (Also, if you share a room with a roommate, they probably do not enjoy hearing that alarm go off every eight minutes.) Not only does this make you more tired, but by the time you have to get up and get out of bed, you have no time to give yourself to actually wake up. Rushing because you are going to be late, your body fights to keep up with the whirlwind it was thrown into.
Setting those alarms earlier and allotting yourself extra time makes the mornings actually enjoyable. There is no rush to brush your teeth, get dressed and run out the door. You can lay in bed for a few extra minutes, make a nice breakfast and coffee, listen to music and even watch an episode of your favorite show. Mornings should be relaxing. They are the first thing starting off your day after you have been in a deep sleep all night. We promise extra time to make your mornings peaceful will actually make you start to love waking up early.
No More Night-Owls
Our last piece of advice actually goes hand-in-hand with your nighttime routine. Easily the most effective and reliable trick to becoming a morning person is going to bed earlier. It seems obvious, and probably redundant, but it really is the best advice.
As a college student, it may seem impossible to actually go to bed early; studying for exams, people who work jobs, if you are involved in extracurriculars, going out with friends and just wanting time for yourself to do absolutely nothing but scroll on your phone. We understand — sometimes those all-nighters are the only thing getting you through the week. But, if you switch your thinking, the morning is a time when you can accomplish some of these tasks.
Setting aside some things to do in the morning will make your days seem less stressful and give you something to wake your brain up and start your day— even something as minuscule as taking a shower. And by doing these things in the morning, you are giving yourself time to get to bed earlier, thus making it easier to wake up in the morning. It is all very cyclical in nature.
Mindful Mornings
A lot of us dread waking up in the morning, and that is completely normal. But once you find yourself changing your mindset on how you view getting up early and start establishing a peaceful or productive morning routine, you’ll find you might actually start enjoying your mornings. Maybe even going as far as calling yourself a morning person. But if not, VALLEY hopes at least some of these ideas will help make your mornings just a little bit easier!
Early-risers let us know your best morning routine advice. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @VALLEYmag!
So true