Remember when you were a child and you would wake up in the morning with energy and stamina for the day? Some people are so tired that they honestly can’t remember a time when they were energetic. Our culture of hustle-and-bustle and busy-ness has created a sense of need to do everything and many people find that they have to give up some sleep in order to get everything done.
If you have come to the point where it feels like waking up in the morning well-rested will never happen—then you’ve come to the right place!
How to Wake Up with More Energy
No matter how busy you think you are, if you don’t get enough sleep you just won’t have the energy to get everything done. If you feel fatigued, worn out, and stressed out, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep at night, or you’re not getting up in the morning in the right way, and you probably have terrible sleep habits. And you may need to buy a new mattress.
Learning how to wake up with more energy and have vitality that lasts throughout the day, it may not happen overnight. You’ll need to practice and learn what is best for your body, making wise choices and becoming more disciplined.
Doesn’t sound fun? Oh but it is! If you consider the fact that healthy sleep and waking habits mean that you have more energy, you go through your day more refreshed, and you’re a happier person overall, then practicing some self-discipline is absolutely worth it!
7 Ways to Wake Up Fresh and Energetic
From simple habits to existential attitudes, you can choose to wake up feeling healthier, happier, and energetic each day just by living out these tips:
1. Get Out of Bed Right Away
That constant snooze button is definitely your enemy. Although you will tell yourself that just a “few more minutes” of sleep will make you feel better—it won’t! The longer you remain in bed after it’s time to get up, the less energized you will feel. Your reluctance and weariness will get the best of you and you’ll end up tired, stressed, and possibly even late! If you use an alarm clock, put it at the other side of the room so you are forced to get up and out of bed in order to turn it off. Then don’t get back in bed!
2. Get Enough Sleep
No matter how you look at it, if you aren’t getting enough sleep at night then you are going to feel tired in the morning. No one wants to hear that the solution to waking up fresh is going to bed earlier. But there’s no magical way around it. Although people of think that eight is the number of hours of sleep they need, that’s just an average. Some people need eight and a half, nine, or even more. Find out how much sleep your individual body needs and then allow for that. Don’t begrudge or bemoan if you discover that you need more sleep than other people. Just plan for it and you’ll find that the rest of your life is much better because of it!
3. Ditch the Alarm Clock
Sounds impossible? It’s not! If you’re practicing the previous tip and getting enough sleep at night, then you’ll probably find that you begin to wake up on your own—before your alarm even goes off. Waking up to an alarm clock is actually counterintuitive in that it jolts your body and brain from sleep, causing an adrenaline rush along with cortisol, both substances that can sabotage you by making you have an energy crash later. Waking up to this fight-or-flight response every day is actually harmful to your heart health as it begins the day with stress.
For thousands of years prior to alarm clocks and light bulbs, people woke up naturally, to the rising of the sun. When you train your body to work with (instead of against) your natural circadian rhythms, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, you’ll wake up before you alarm clock in the best way—with a slow and gentle dawning to start the day.
4. Healthy Sleep Hygiene
Practicing good sleep hygiene habits will go far in allowing you to feel better and well-rested in the morning. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day—even on your days off. Set a nighttime routine that helps your body and mind relax and disengage from stress for at least an hour prior to the time you need to go to sleep.
5. Breathe
Providing your body with the oxygen it needs can change everything for the amount of energy you have in the morning. Think about whether or not your bedroom has enough fresh air or if you need to open a window. In the morning, take a step outside (or stick your head out the window) and treat your respiratory system to a few deep, cleansing breaths. This will help to get your lungs working, your heart pumping and your brain cleared of that pervasive morning fog.
6. Get a New Mattress
Although your sleep may be sabotaged by a myriad of other factors, your answer might be as simple as buying a new mattress. Or even just a mattress pad. If you’re uncomfortable while you’re sleeping, consider how long it has been since you bought a new mattress and do some research into types that might be best for your sleep habits.
7. Engage in Motivation
Getting out of bed is so much easier if you have something you enjoy to look forward to each day. If you don’t enjoy your job or most of your daily routine, find something that you can offer yourself as a little “prize” for getting out of bed. Positive reinforcement. Maybe this can go along with eating breakfast if you spend a bit more money on your favorite flavor of yogurt. Or maybe it’s a yoga class you’ve been looking forward to. Before going to bed, try to think of at least one thing the next day that you are excited about. Even if it’s just a small thing, allow yourself to look forward to it and that will help you to get out of bed.
Conclusion
Starting your day on the right foot usually means living your life in an all-around healthy manner. Eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep at night are all habits that can change everything when it comes to waking up in the morning with freshness, vitality and energy. Get started today!
