4 Easy Ways to Become a Morning Person

Want to get out of bed earlier?  With these 4 easy steps to becoming a morning person, you can make it to your yoga mat in the AM.

Waking up early can improve your life drastically: you can get your workout done in the morning, make a delicious breakfast, get to the office early, or even meditate before starting your day. But if you’re struggling to drag yourself out of bed, I encourage you to start small. I have never (ever) been a morning person, but for the last year and a half my alarm has been set for 5:30AM. How?

Here are my 4 easy ways to become a morning person:

1. Start with small time increments

If you’re used to getting out of bed at 8:30 and want to rise at 5:30, it’s not going to happen overnight (pun intended). Set smaller, more achievable goals, like starting to wake up at 8:00 for two weeks, then 7:30 for two weeks, and so on. Be patient with yourself.

As you continue to wake earlier, be consistent. Your body works best on a regular schedule. Go to bed around the same time each night, and rise at the same time each morning.

Changing your wake-up time usually means changing the time you hit the pillow. This is easier said than done, especially for night-owls. Take the same advice here and start small, maybe shifting your schedule back by 15- or 30-minute increments.  Decide how much sleep you need. Personally, I need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night. Ask anyone in my life… if I’m sleep deprived, nothing good will happen! Take note of what works for you - how many hours it takes for you to feel your best and most alive.

In addition to sleeping enough and regularly, make sure you are taking care of yourself. Eat something nutritious, drink enough water, and move your body.

2. Create a weekly yoga schedule

The easiest way to get out of bed in the morning is to commit to something beforehand. Perhaps find two AM yoga classes to attend each week with instructors you enjoy. Sign up online beforehand and enlist a workout buddy for morning classes together. If someone’s relying on you, you’ll be much more willing to get your booty out of bed and to the mat.

Helpful points for scheduling: Set clothes aside the night before (or even sleep in your workout clothes!) to make your mornings easy.

Be sure to plan out what happens after class - will you shower at the studio, are you going to stop at home before work, or are you going to change and head straight to the office? Making a game plan can help ease your morning.

3. Check out before bed

You’ve heard this time and time again, but to ensure a great night of sleep, turn off the electronics 30 minutes before bed. Not only is this best for your eyes and brain, but it can allow you to mentally wind down before sleeping.

Take note of what you did earlier in the day and summarize what’s to come the next day. Perhaps even take 5 minutes to concentrate on some long inhales & exhales, allowing yourself into meditation.

4. Coffee, tea, kombucha, and more

I have to put this on here, because in my life, coffee is a must. I know a lot of yogis have sworn off coffee, but not me! If it helps you, go for it. Everything in moderation, people.

I have to admit: I’m not a morning person.

At all. But I do rise early these days and it’s all thanks to these helpful tips. I let myself slowly get used to rising early, I prepare the night before and always get 7-8 hours of sleep. I (usually) put my phone away before bedtime, and I look forward to my morning cup of joe.

You can do it! Any helpful tips I missed?