3. Plan ahead
Having something to get up for is a great
early morning motivator.
Book yourself into an early morning boot-camp or yoga course – having paid for a class that happens at the same time a couple of mornings a week will get you into the habit of waking up early.
Another good motivator is a having someone rely on you – book in an early morning walk, or coffee with a friend – you’re more likely to get up if you’ve got someone waiting for you.
4. Catch some early morning sun
Exposure to sunlight early in the morning may help to reset your body clock.
Your body’s internal clock is synchronised to night and day by exposure to sunlight, and the effects it has on brain chemicals or neurotransmitters, especially melatonin.
As daylight starts to fade, and night’s darkness sets in your body secretes melatonin, which signals your body to fall, and stay asleep.
Exposure to daylight suppresses melatonin production, and stimulates the body to produce other neurotransmitters (like noradrenaline and acetylcholine) to keep you awake.
5. Reset your internal clock
For the night-owls out there - one way to become a morning person is to try
resetting your internal clock.
If you’re late to bed, and late to rise try slowly shifting your bedtime, so that you’re getting to bed earlier, and rising earlier.
Start with small changes - try getting yourself off to bed at night, and out of bed in the morning 15 minutes earlier than usual.
Build these changes in slowly, and before you know it you’ll be bouncing out of bed before the sparrows.
