While many of us are accustomed to sleeping late, there are numerous benefits to waking up early. Not only will you no longer have to worry about being late for work, but you’ll also have some extra time to tackle tasks before everyone else starts their day. This could even be a time for you to indulge in some much-needed “me” time.
If you’re a night owl, is it possible to transform yourself into an early bird? Absolutely! However, it will require some effort and patience since habits that we’ve formed over several years can be hard to break. Nevertheless, as adaptable creatures, we can always teach ourselves new ways of doing things.
Here’s a foolproof process to quickly change your sleep pattern:
- Determine how much sleep you genuinely need since everyone’s sleep needs are different. For instance, let’s say you require seven hours of sleep.
- Choose what time you want to wake up every day. In your ideal world, what time would you want to get up each morning? Perhaps you’d like to wake up at 5:00 am to go for a jog or play your guitar.
- Set your bedtime by doing some calculations. In our example, you’d need to be asleep by 10:00 pm.
- Stick to your schedule. Until you’ve established a habit of your new hours, you’ll need to be consistent. For instance, if you usually go to bed at 2:00 am, lying there at your new bedtime might be challenging at first. And the alarm might not be a pleasant experience.
It’s essential to wake up on time. Yes, you may feel exhausted, but that’ll make going to bed at your new time tonight seem more manageable.
- Avoid napping, even if you usually do. Don’t add naps to your new schedule! Otherwise, you might not be tired when it’s time to go to bed.
- Optional: Ignore everything above. Some people find it easier to go to bed when they’re tired but wake up at the new wake-up time consistently. At the very least, this method will prevent you from lying in bed for hours trying to fall asleep.
Regardless of which method you choose, hang in there! Although the first week might be challenging, you’ll become a different person.
Remember that developing any new habit takes time. Although you’ll feel pretty good after a week, it might be easy to slip back into your old routine during the first month or so.
Waking up early has plenty to offer that you’d miss as a late riser. You’ll notice things outside that you wouldn’t ordinarily see. Most wildlife is more active at dawn, and people are out walking or jogging with their pets. You might even find someone with whom you can take a leisurely walk each morning.
With a little commitment, you can change any habit, including your sleep schedule. Follow either of the methods presented, and you’ll be an early riser in no time!