In a world of late-night study sessions, club meetings and constant social opportunities, waking up in time just for class is often a struggle for many college students. Oftentimes, students may not even have class until the middle of the afternoon, which makes sleeping in past noon a real possibility. However, studies have shown that there are several benefits to waking up just a little bit earlier in the morning in order to take some time for yourself.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you jumpstart your mornings and ultimately make the most out of your entire day.
Create a Productive Night Routine
As a busy student, it is common for one’s night routine to be very simple: come home and go to bed in order to get the most sleep possible. However, taking time to put yourself in a relaxed state of mind before bed can be very beneficial. By taking about 30 to 45 minutes to destress before going to sleep, you can allow your body to fully relax so that you are less likely to stay up feeling worried or anxious about something.
VALLEY recommends reading a book or drinking caffeine-free chamomile tea before bed to ultimately feel more relaxed. It is also crucial to limit screen time before bed, including use of TV’s, laptops and cell phones. The bright lights can trick your brain into thinking it’s not time for bed, which is the opposite response you want before trying to fall asleep!
Ease Into Your Morning
We all love a nice, relaxing weekend morning, but we often forget that many of these same habits can be implemented throughout the week through small schedule adjustments.
By getting up earlier than necessary, there is ample opportunity for a laid-back and cozy morning, even in the middle of the week! Starting the morning off right with a cup of coffee, your favorite breakfast or even a hot shower can set the tone for the rest of the day. Think about it: if you start your day in a rush just to make it to class on time, you’re already feeling stressed as soon as you wake up. By taking time to slowly wake up and unwind in the morning, you may find that you feel more alert in class and ready to take on any responsibilities for the day.
Consider a Morning Workout
Several studies have been done about the benefits to working out in the morning versus at night. When you work out, it can often make you feel more awake, which makes it perfect way to start your day. In addition, if you work out in the morning before breakfast, your body will burn more calories because you haven’t eaten yet.
Even just a short and simple at-home workout can help you start your mornings right. If you tend to be super sleepy in the morning, a more relaxed-pace workout such as yoga could be best for you. If you prefer the guidance of an instructor and a group workout dynamic to start your day, Orangetheory and F45 are great options located downtown.
Let Some Light In
While your room-darkening curtains may allow you to get that extra sleep you so desire on a Sunday morning, they aren’t really conducive to having a productive weekday morning. By letting just a little bit of natural light in, your body is more likely to wake up naturally versus sleeping in a room that is nearly pitch black at all hours of the day.
If you live in an apartment with a balcony or somewhere with an outdoor space, getting a little bit of fresh air in the morning can also help you to feel more alert. An outdoor walk, run or even taking time to have your morning coffee outside can make you feel more refreshed and relaxed, especially on the cool, crisp fall mornings that are soon to come.
Say Goodbye to the Snooze Button
As much as we all love setting multiple alarms and hitting snooze on each one, those few minutes of extra sleep are hardly benefitting you. Once your sleep cycle is disturbed, you aren’t getting the best sleep you can, which can even make you feel more tired in the morning. VALLEY recommends setting one alarm and trying your best to wake up to only that one. If this sounds too challenging of an endeavor at first, try taking away one alarm per day.
While becoming a morning person may not happen overnight, taking time to get up just a little bit earlier can put you on the right track and ultimately help you to start your day on a good note.
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