You’ve probably heard most your life, “The early bird gets the worm,” or other such variations of this sentiment. Basically, with the bottom line being that getting a jump on the day means getting a jump on everything and everyone else.
While those are just sayings, generally speaking, there is a whole bunch of truth in this idea. There have been numerous studies done that seem to indicate that those who rise earlier in the morning, get more accomplished in a day than those who get up later, even when adjusted for bedtime. In other words, they get more done in a day, in the same number of hours as their night owl counterparts.
Are you an early bird? The good news is that if you currently don’t get up early and attack the day hard and fast, and desire to change this, there are several simple ways you can make the change.
As with any transformation – major or minor – the first step is deciding to just do it. Be committed to having a successful day and keep your eye on the prize. Keep in the forefront of your mind—experts say starting your day earlier means you will have extra reserves of energy and direction. They also contend this equates with more success, happiness, and fulfillment in your life too.
Once you’re committed to the change, the next major step is realizing an early morning starts with the night before…
- Set a reverse alarm
Set an alarm for one hour before bedtime. When your reverse alarm goes off, start to get ready for bed. This includes turning all your devices off like your computer, tablet, or phone. Take a shower, brush your teeth, and put your pajamas on. Then add your own personal steps to prepare you for bed. This routine will cause your body to become tired, then you’re all ready for bed.
- Get the best night’s sleep possible
It is easy to get a good night’s sleep if you follow these simple rules:
- Stop using all electronics 1 hour before bed
- Make your lunch for the next day, pack your bag(s), and iron your clothes.
- Take a bath or shower
- Read a book or magazine to make your eyes tired
- Snuggle up and get comfortable with your partner or pillow
- Supercharge your sleep
Prepare your bedroom for the most ideal sleeping environment by using these tips:
- Use blackout curtains
- Set the temperature to your preference
- Keep the room quiet
- Use an eye mask or ear plugs (this is highly recommended when traveling)
- Every morning, pull back your wake-up time by 5 minutes
Don’t make drastic changes overnight. This will create a jetlag-effect causing you to crash later in the day. Instead, each morning, try waking up just five minutes earlier than the day before. This allows your body to adjust to the minor difference more easily and should make it easier for you to adapt as well.
Overall, be realistic about what time you can or should wake up to give yourself room to do your morning routine. Then, just start taking the above steps toward that goal. This is how you will become an “early bird” slowly but surely. It is a process, so don’t force your body into it too quickly. As long as you stay committed, you can make it happen.
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