13 Ways to Get a Morning Headstart
Okay. I promise this blog post will have nothing to do with anything concerning my freaking college life anymore.
I just rather felt ashamed of myself because in the past few days my sleeping cycle has been very inconsistent. My dismay comes twofold: first, it is pretty bad because as what you may have read on the sidebar below the crazy ape’s photo, it says fitness-minded. And I’ve been living up with that description pretty well, as you can see. Second, I find late night sleeping and waking up late in the morning immensely consequential.
For one, you will apparently going to blame yourself for missing your morning cardio, like I did when I said I’m going to run seven miles the other day and woke up at 9:30 am yesterday. Great. I was even lucky to not miss my taekwando class in the least.
For another, sleeping and getting up late in the morning has detrimental effects to our productivity and memory for the rest of the day.
In the former, the habit of morning procrastination and lack of headstart does not only reduce the time we could spend for the day but it also subconsciously ebb away our motivation and interest to having a great day. As a practical application of the psychological truth: the way the body acts relies on the way the mind thinks. We can therefore conclude that our diminishing enthusiasm feeds on our lousy and atrocious productivity for the day. Oh, and that explains my poor splits and pilates during taekwando class.
In the latter, an indian scientific study verifies the link between early rising and increase in memory and attention. As we feel motivated and alert a flood of dopamine is released in the brain. Moreover, the increase in level of this hormone benefits to our ability recalling long-term memories and remaining mindful throughout the day. (I have to say that because I’m a nerd) This is probably the best explanation why I did not forget to bring my deodorant and forgot to bring my toothbrush yesterday before going to my aunt’s house (Yes, I haven’t brushed yet). Not to mention all other calamitous consequences of sleeping late at night.
With regards to my guiltiness for pressing the snooze button seventy five times already, I totally agreed when Richard Whately said:
“Lose an hour in the morning, and you will be all day hunting for it.”
Hence, yesterday I was compelled to ask consultation from my good friend, google and made some reconstructions with my routine before and after bedtime considering my past rituals, previous researches and my trusty google ammunition. And after I put it to the test last night I should say it was basically effective. So I figured maybe I should share it and let you, guys try this for 21 days too.
No more technology affairs by 10 pm
I know this is hard but you have to admit nobody’s going to feel sleepy in front of a computer/tv/laptop/or any gadget at all (at least in our generation). In scientific terms, artificial light exposure (from light-emitting screens) between early evening and the time we go to bed at night suppresses release of the sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin which naturally boosts alertness and shifts circadian rhythms to a later hour, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Go to bed between 9pm-12pm
Logically, the only way to a good and early morning is a good and early night sleep. Our body necessarily needs 6-8 hours of sleep. Thus, it is ideal to hit the bed between these hours to actually rise early in the morning.
Set your alarm clock to 5 am and place it far from your bed
It feels good to wake up with the sunrise. So set that alarm to Five am and place it far from your reach. Else, I bet millions you’re just going to hit that snooze again. It’s quite common to reach over to the nightstand, turn off the alarm, and go back to sleep without even remembering doing so.
I think everyone knows a way or two to bore themselves and fall asleep easily. Reading dictionaries is one thing that never failed to help me doze off effortlessly. Other times, I just listen to audiobooks in my phone. Particularly, you should try listening to recorded science lectures (trust me, it’s even powerful than jigglypuff!).
This has to do with the melatonin hormone again. Okay. I don’t want to bore you with nerdy stuffs anymore. Just turn the freaking lights off to help you fall asleep.
Make yourself comfortable
Everyone falls asleep easily with a certain position. And yes, everyone has awful sleeping habits too. My brother thumb sucks at night (sorry arbie, I need to attest my presumption) and my cousin’s guilty of stroking his earlobes to put himself asleep.
Now breathe deep and fall asleep
The best way to feel awake is to stand up at the first ring of an alarm. Well you can’t possibly oppose the strong pull of gravity your cold, cozy bed is exerting on you and the irresistible temptation of sleeping back provided you won’t get off that bed of yours. Until then, you will realize that you can’t actually trust your own morning self. Just don’t press the snooze again!
Play a morning soundtrack
The next thing you want to do after feeling awake is feeling good. Get that stereo on in full bass then play that feel-good morning playlist you have. It will make you look forward to having a great day, for sure. Plus, it will keep your mind away from any get-back-to-sleep thoughts. You can try these wonderful playlists here and here.
Stretching after long hours of sleeping (which is primarily lying down with a minimal of physical activity) is innately necessary for every animal as fuzz build-up in between your ‘filmy’ fasciae calls for one morning stretch. Let this five-minute video do the talking.
Drink two glasses of water
Never underestimate the significance of this habit. Not only does it aides in weight loss, replenishes and rehydrates the body, boosts our metabolism but even detoxifies our system from toxins and waste products. Read this for more information.
Now to fully wake your senses and feel even better, you have to take a cold shower (Not to mention the many health benefits it offers).
Okay. So this is the big finale in my morning routine and the most important too. It helps me keep my focus throughout the day. Read this short introduction if you’re not familiar with it. And why don’t you give this a try too? You can start with this 100 breaths meditation method if you haven’t done anything like this yet. And maybe you can tell me how your morning went.