Skip to main content

pretty girl sitting in street with morning coffee and relaxingFor morning people, waking up early is a pleasure. For the rest of us, it’s a necessary evil. But getting an early start to the day doesn’t have to be a drag. Here are some tips for beating the alarm at its own game.

Do people still have alarm clocks? Since almost everyone has a smart phone with an alarm capability, it makes sense to use an app to wake up. There are lots of choices out there, some free and some for a small fee. Experiment with a couple and figure out which (if any) work best for you.

If snuggling back in the covers after you’ve slapped the snooze button causes you to be late to work more often than not, try putting your alarm across the room. You will actually have to get up out of bed since it’s across the room. Since you’re already up, you might as well get ready for the day, right?

Sometimes the best way to have a good morning is to have a good night before. Caffeine is notorious for keeping people awake so try to avoid coffee, soda and energy drinks at least six to eight hours before you plan to go to bed. Drink plenty of water in the evenings to flush out your system so you can sleep better.

Do you like sleeping in a dark room? Sure, most people do. But it can be much harder to wake up when it’s still dark in your room. Try leaving the blinds and curtains partially open so the light can help your body realize it’s time to wake up.

Not getting enough sleep over a prolonged period of time can be a very bad thing. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep in a night so you will wake up feeling good and refreshed in the morning. Leave electronic devices out of your bedroom as well. The tiny blue screens actually cause you to stay up later, not fall asleep like some people claim.

Unless you work nights or you’re a vampire, you’re going to have to get up early occasionally. Employing these tips can help you maybe even start to love mornings a little more. At the very least, you might find yourself being late to work less.