It’s obvious that society functions (and succeeds) based on the habits and schedules of morning people – and chances are, so does your life.
Need more motivation to become a morning person? Studies find that morning people are actually happier than night owls, and they also reported feeling healthier.
Making the transition from a night owl to a morning person may not be easy, but it’s certainly achievable with a few easy steps.
If you’re a night owl:
Start your day on the right foot by avoiding hitting the snooze button and enjoy the extra time you’re gaining by doing so. Reward yourself with a cup of coffee, by reading the paper or exercising. Exercising before breakfast has been shown to increase fat burning and weight loss, and keeps your adrenaline levels elevated for hours afterwards (which translates into being more alert).
At the very least, enjoy a healthy breakfast with this extra time; make sure it includes protein, fruits and/or veggies and a whole grains. If you’re still having trouble getting out of bed, consider moving your bed closer to a window where you can have the sun help you wake up – you may not realize how sensitive your brain is to light.
It is also important to end your day the right way by cutting down on your evening obligations. It’s common to overestimate you’re free time; instead, set aside an hour or two for yourself every evening and don’t let anyone or anything else interfere with your time.
Turn off electronic devices an hour or two before bedtime to help create an atmosphere that induces sleep mode. This will also aid your mind in associating the evening with slowing down so that you can mentally prepare for sleep.
Make it easier on yourself in the morning by preparing for your morning routine before going to bed.
If you’re already a morning person:
Be mindful of how you feel throughout the day; pay attention to the mental highs and lows you cycle through. Most people typically hit a lull around 2 p.m., so it may be in your best interest to take a walk outside or just get up from your desk for a couple of minutes.
After work, refrain from consuming too much alcohol and be sure to allow yourself about one hour per drink to metabolize the alcohol before going to bed.
While these tips may not work for everyone, they may help make your mornings more bearable and your evenings more relaxing.
Dr. David B. Samadi is the Vice Chairman of the Department of Urology and Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He is a board-certified urologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of urological disease, with a focus on robotic prostate cancer treatments. To learn more please visit his websites RoboticOncology.com
and SMART-surgery.com. Find Dr. Samadi on Facebook.