I’m going to let you in on a secret. I’m not a morning person. I’ve never been a morning person. I’ve tried to become a morning person on multiple occasions, only to realize, you know what? I really prefer my life as a night owl, and 5 a.m. is a time of day that I’d rather not be familiar with. I’ve always wanted to be a morning person, but I can’t quite get myself there. It turns out I just need some tricks to get out of bed faster in the morning, because there’s just something about lying in my cozy bed in the morning (drifting into the afternoon) that I can’t let go of.
Even if I wake up before my alarm clock or I’m awake at the crack of dawn, I like to spend that dawn in the comfort of my own bed. But I don’t have the luxury of doing that seven days a week. In fact, I don’t even have the luxury of doing that three days a week. Which is why I need incentive to get myself out of bed in the morning, and incentive to light a fire under my morning-hating buns. With the help of a few friends who actually like to get up at dawn, I’ve compiled nine tricks to get you out of bed faster in the morning, in case you’re a morning ogre like me. Implementing these tricks is bound to make mornings a little easier, so let’s get to going.
1Prep Breakfast The Night Before
Putting something delicious together the night before is a surefire way to get you bounding out of bed in the morning. Try one of these delicious crockpot breakfast recipes and wake up to smells that'll practically pull you out of bed.
Try: Crock-Pot Programmable Slow Cooker, $49, Amazon
2Peer Pressure
Make an early morning date with someone who's an early riser. Whether it's the gym, breakfast, or coffee, having someone to keep you accountable will give you the extra boost you need to get going in the morning.
3Put Your Alarm Clock Across The Room
Yes, this old trick. Rather than putting your alarm clock within slapping distance, put it across the room so you actually have to get up to turn off the incessant beeping.
Try: Verilux Rise & Shine Alarm Clock and Sleep System, $99.95, Amazon
4Set Your Coffee On A Timer
Set your coffee pot on a timer so that it starts brewing before you get out of bed. Imagine waking up to that glorious scent wafting into your bedroom. Yeah, that would get me out of bed in the morning.
Try: Hamilton Beach Digital Coffee Maker, $39, Amazon
5Try An App
Yes, there's an app for that. Sleep Cycle will chart how you sleep, and when the best time to wake you up is. Wake N Shake makes you shake your phone to turn off the alarm. Morning Routine makes you do tasks before you can turn the alarm off. Wakie starts a conversation, getting you talking first thing in the morning. Depending on what helps you wake up most, download accordingly.
6Pick Out Your Clothes The Night Before
Half the battle of getting out of bed in the morning is having clothes to put on once you're actually out of bed. Picking out your outfit the night before will take some of the struggle down a notch. Less time to lay in bed and stare at your closet means a faster morning rise.
7Drink A Glass Of Water
Fill a glass of water before you go to bed and keep it next to your bed. When your alarm goes off, drink the water first thing. Hydrating first thing in the morning will get you going. (Not to mention, it'll put extra incentive on your bladder.)
8Open Your Blinds
Sleep with your blinds open, and wake up with natural light. Waking up with a gradual influx of light is supposed to make you wake up feeling more refreshed, and calm. And if your wakeup time is before the sun rises? Try Morning Sun.
9Treat Yo Self
Have something exciting waiting for you upon waking up. A face mask first thing in the morning? Ooh la la. Treat yo self, girl. Nothing like a little incentive to get your buns going in the morning, right?
Try: Karuna Brightening+ Face Mask, $28, Amazon
