Becoming a morning person will benefit you now and for the rest of your life. For example, it will mean your morning classes are less painful, you’ll be able to participate in activities that take place early in the day (such as certain sports), and you’ll always arrive on time to your job after you graduate. To become a morning person, all you need to do is adopt habits that make your mornings easier.
1. Sleep Enough
You’ll never find it easy to wake up in the morning if you’re trying to function on too few hours of sleep. If you struggle to fall asleep, incorporate a glass of tart cherry juice into your evening routine. Studies have found this can be a useful sleep aid — it may help you gain up to an hour more of sleep per night.
2. Wake Yourself Up
You also need a morning routine that wakes up your mind and body. A great tactic is to drink cold water. It works by making your blood flow faster, increasing your energy levels, and improving your mood — all things you need to encourage you to start moving in the morning. Some people find it even more effective than coffee.
3. Schedule an Early Workout
Another activity to include in your morning routine is some exercise. Find a workout class you’ll enjoy to give yourself something to look forward to. It’s best of all if the class has a no-show fee to incentivize you to go.
4. Sign Up for Morning Classes
If you’re serious about becoming a morning person, opt for mostly morning rather than afternoon classes. In particular, sign up for small classes where it will be noticeable if you don’t attend — it’s even better if poor attendance will impact your grade. Plus, choose classes you’re likely to enjoy to make your mornings more bearable.
5. Fill Your Bedroom with Light
If the thought of missing a workout or university class isn’t enough to encourage you to get out of bed, try increasing your exposure to sunlight. If your curtains are too thick to allow light into your room, keep them open while you sleep. Whereas waking up to darkness can make you want to go back to sleep, seeing sunlight from the moment you open your eyes can help you feel ready to face the new day.
6. Give Yourself a Reward
Treat yourself whenever you do manage to meet your wakeup goal. You may like to give yourself a reward every day or just when you manage to get up on time for a whole week.
You’ll have less of a need to become a morning person if you live near your classes. This doesn’t mean you need to live in student residence — you just need convenient off-campus housing. Ottawa students can find a new home at THEO, where you’ll be just steps from the University of Ottawa and the Canadian National Institute of Health. You’ll also be within walking distance of ByWard Market and have study spaces, a gym, a basketball court, and hangout areas on site. Book a tour to pay us a visit.