Every day is a struggle to cut ties with that comfortable pillow you lay with at night. I have trouble talking myself into getting up and ready and instead compromising 5 minute more increments that never leave me enough time to get out of the house in time. However, I've learned that waking up to work is inevitable and instead of complaining about it, I should change my morning routine to a more positive experience.
Don't Fall Asleep Late, or With the TV on
Sleeping late will damage anyone's ability to want to awaken early the next day. Your body needs rest and regardless of any of the following suggestions, sleep is the most vital component your body needs. Also, turn your lights and television off. The light can make sleeping deeply very difficult, thus compromising your full sleep potential.
Push Your Alarm as Far From You as Possible
Most people sleep with their alarms on a nightstand near them. This easily enables you to press that snooze button the second you hear the alarm in the morning. My suggestion is to place the alarm in a spot where you'll be forced to have to get up and walk over to touch it, that way snoozing won't be so easy and habitual. Another perk to setting this clock away from you is that you won't sleep with the bright numerals near your eyes, compromising your rest.
Set Likeable Music as an Alarm
My phone is my alarm, and like most phones, mine has the capability of holding songs I like in it. Every morning I have an upbeat, positive song I like play at 7:30 a.m. Familiar and energetic music can break me out of my slumberous state and happy to begin my day. If you don't have a phone, you can set your radio to a station you like, and you can be awoken by your style of music or favorite morning hosts.
Prepare Your Breakfast/Coffee to Brew the Night Before
Energy is important. You need to eat something, even if its small, and time should not be an excuse to neglect eating. The night before, ration a baggie full of cereal, or hard-boiled eggs, so that you can eat something as you walk around and get ready. If you're a coffee drinker, plan ahead and set the coffee, water, and filter ready to brew the night before. All you have to do is hit the on/brew button, and voila, you can have the smell of fresh caffeine brewing while you're getting ready. You can also take this stuff to go, if eating and coffee drinking is not in your time budget.
Shower
Even though getting naked on a cold morning does not sound tempting, you can bet that this will wake you up. For those who save time by showering at night, you may want to sacrifice this time saver so you feel at your most alert and awake. Use your most favorite aromas to arouse your senses.
Set an Incentive for Yourself
Giving yourself perks for successfully waking up and making it to work on time, might be a good reward for keeping you on track. Allow yourself a take-out dinner or massage appointment for staying consistent. This will not reiterate your positive new attitude, but also allow you to appreciate your own accomplishments.
Any changes to your routine, even if small, require new adjustments and effort. But if something does not work for you, it's foolish to continue doing it. Awaking to a more inviting and positive environment can alter your whole day's tone and make your approach to life's other issues much more calmly and conscientiously. That in itself is worth the change.
Susie Medina Health, Movies, and Music Blogger http://www.susiemedina.com http://iammynority.com
