17 best methods to become an early riser

First, I want to thank my readers for enjoying, “The Strangest Secret to waking up early.” I’m aware that article was a bit lengthy, and I know I have a few readers who enjoy straight to the point articles. So rather than digging deep into each method, I’ll provide 17 effective methods to become an early riser.

You can decide which one to use whether it’s 1 strategy or all 17. In the end, all that really matters is if it matches your life schedule. It may be difficult starting off as an early riser, but let’s go over the ways to master it:

1. Do something exciting in the morning

As a child, you probably found it easier to wake up before your parents either on Christmas, going to Disneyland, or for even Saturday morning cartoons. And as you did as a child, you have to find activities that excites and motivates you to get out of bed as soon as the alarm rings.

These simple activities could talking/texting on the phone, playing video games, having a sexual experience with your partner, reading, or anything that excites your brain. If it makes it easier, choose only one new exciting activity you can do in the morning just once a week.

2. Place you alarm clock away from your bed

Make it difficult to silence that irritating buzz in the morning. It’s easy to simply hit the snooze button when it’s only a foot away and resume back to dream world. But if you have to walk across your bedroom just to shut your alarm off, you’ve already beaten the hardest part of waking up. Think of it like crossing the finish line, and the likelihood of you returning back to bed would be very slim.

3. Have your blinds opened before going to sleep

The sun has a natural way of waking you up and could be effective if used properly. Most people find it difficult sleeping in a room that’s bright because light immediately makes the average person more energetic. With the sun’s energy pouring into your room, not only will it make it difficult to remain in bed, but the natural source of vitamin D will provide you with the energy to start your day.

4. Exercise in the morning

After you get out of bed, your body feels weak and wrecked after laying still for several hours. Your blood isn’t flowing properly throughout your body and as a result, you feel too slump to do anything. To kill that mindset and weak body, do something active in the morning.

Take a walk outside, run, do jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, or stretches. It could be anything as long as it’s something you enjoy. To provide an example, exercises I enjoy doing are push-ups, stretches, or jumping jacks. (Sometimes I just jump in general. I ensure I do around 70 bunny hops to make my mind and body more active)

5. Take a mint in the morning

This isn’t meant to freshen your breath or give you a sweet taste in the morning. The reason Hotels provide customers with a fresh mint on their pillow is because mints have chemicals that excites the brain to make people more alert. It tricks your body because it subconsciously believes you’re about to eat a meal, and therefore will be more reluctant to falling back asleep.

6. Set your alarm for a later time

When you hit the snooze button, you somehow find extra time to spare in the morning. So rather than resuming back to sleep, set your alarm for a later time when you usually have the energy to hop out of bed.

That way, once your alarm rings, you won’t have to worry about stretching your time limit. It’ll be easier to get out of bed, and even just an extra 10-15 minutes of sleep could enhance your energy and focus throughout the day.

7. Eat the right food before bed

A common saying you’re often told when you’re young is to not eat before bed. But that’s a wrong misconception to hold onto because it’s really points to eating the wrong foods that upsets your stomach and make the process of sleeping more difficult.

Instead, eat something healthy such as honey, fruits, or vegetables. If possible, avoid the consumption of caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, or sugary snacks before going to bed. Products such as those have chemicals that disrupts your body natural sleeping cycle, making waking up in the morning more problematic.

8. Eat the right food after waking up

While I’m on the subject, be aware of the type of foods you eat in the morning. If possible, avoid leftover pizzas or junk foods that’s stored away in your fridge. Although it may be easier and more convenient to scarf down a leftover piece of cake, it reflects badly on your body later in the day.

Instead, eat something healthier such as oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, granola, eggs, or turkey. Some of these foods may not be on your top to eat list, but they provide the energy and focus you desire.

9. Avoid electronics before bed

It’s tempting to play on your phone, laptop, or watch television while in bed because it’s a habit you probably grew up with. It might be accustomed into your daily routines and the idea could be strange or foreign to sleep without any of your devices.

However, playing with your devices will eventually lead you into an interrupter sleep pattern. You’ll find yourself easily waking up throughout the night because your brain will still be wired right before you closed your eyes. Devices such as cell phones and televisions keep you awake late at night, disrupting your sleep cycles, and provoking your thoughts.

10. Make your bed after waking up

Personally, I find making my bed every morning to be very annoying, and yet one of the most effective habits to start my day. It’s not because it makes my room look nice or Ashley forced me. It’s because making my bed is the first task I successfully complete every morning, and it sends my brain into a more productive state.

Making your bed proves to your subconscious that you’re capable of completing your goals and sets you on a path of success. So rather than ignoring your messy bed sheets, act on it and make your bed.

11. Ensure your room is in complete darkness before sleeping

Keep any distractions of light away from your eyes or else your subconscious will continue to be disruptive throughout the night. By surrounding yourself in complete darkness, your brain could easily rest and not worry about any outside threats that could possibly harm you.

12. Clean your house in the morning

Such as making your bed, this habit proves to your subconscious mind that you are productive and are incorporating good changes into your life. It relaxes your inner state because after viewing a clean environment, you get a bundle of joy because you know what you accomplished all by yourself.

13. Plan your day ahead

Give yourself a reason to wake up in the morning. Determine a goal you plan to do in the morning and commit to it so when you wake up, you won’t have to decide whether or not to get out of bed. You’ll have a reason to ignore those first impulses that tries to persuade you to remain under your covers. Examples are taking walks outside, working on personal projects, spending quality time with family, meditating, or drinking coffee with someone.

14. Take a shower

When struggling in the morning as a walking zombie, take a shower so the water could wake you up. Showers triggers a physiological function in your body and mind that makes you feel nice and refreshes you for your day. And if you’re searching for deeper tips about the great benefits for taking cold showers, check out 15 Benefits of Cold Showers That Will Blow Your Mind.

15. Sing your favorite song

Do you enjoy singing? If you don’t, try it out anyway. Singing engages parts of your face you don’t use that often. If you have a favorite song that motivates you, sing it and feel the energy charge you up. It could be strange for those who never practiced this before, but you’ll discover just how fun it could be to start your day off with a song.

Don’t think about how you sound. Just focus on having a fun time. Do it for yourself and it if makes life easier, sing in the shower so you could kill two birds with one stone.

16. Meditate in the morning

After you wake up in the morning, start off by reflecting your life decisions and where you want to be at. Find an isolated place to separate yourself from the rest of the world and mix your thoughts together. Think about your goals, how you’ll complete your goals, what obstacles stand in the way, and the logical way to overcome them.

Meditating lowers your stress and anxieties because it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which basically means it slows your heart and breathing rate. Meditating/praying provides you with great opportunities to see the bigger picture of your desires, and opens up new perspectives. And if you’re totally new to the meditating thing, check out A Beginner’s Guide on How to Meditate.

17. Drink lemon water instead of coffee in the morning

It’s tempting to start your day off with a cup of coffee and for some, it’s a must. But before you make that stop to Starbucks, drink two glasses of lemon water because it prevents dehydration and adrenal fatigues.

Cold water boosts your body because it forces it to burn calories which heats you up, and in turn, gives you more energy, levels of concentration, and keeps you more active. Other side benefits would be clearing your skin due to the vitamin C in lemon water, assists with weight loss, and boosts your immune system. And if you don’t see the major benefits of drinking a lot of water daily, the woman below drank three liters of water a day for 4 weeks. Crazy, right? You can check out the full story here.

In final thoughts….

You don’t have to apply all 17 methods when starting your day because everyone work with different schedules. So if you’re struggling with getting up in the morning, apply any of these 17 strategies and you’ll notice a major life change as an early riser.

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