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This article was written by Qaqamba Falithenjwa.
It is often said that the early bird catches the worm, a proverb that suggests that early risers become the most productive. Night owls might beg to differ because, one can be productive no matter what time they wake up, only if they decide to utilise their time effectively.
Many of us know whether we’re a morning person, a night owl, or somewhere in between. Headspace suggests that we all have an internal clock, also known as a circadian rhythm, which automatically regulates when we feel the most awake and tired.
If you are a night owl and would like to be part of the worm-catching club or if you feel that you could be more productive with your time if you were to sleep early and wake up early, here are tips that the above information hub recommends:
Transform your thinking
Waking up early can at first feel like an inconvenience. So your internal conversation should shift from “I am not a morning person,” to”I am becoming a morning person”. This simple change will make a huge difference when your alarm goes off. You are prepping the mind for a system shock.
Consistent bedtime and waking times.
The next day begins based on how you prepare your body and mind the night before, which is why revisiting and rebuilding your overnight routine is important. This is to track your steps and maintain consistency. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. This means that if you go to bed at midnight and wish to wake up at 6 a.m., you should consider sleeping at 11 p.m. Many people have problems going to sleep, especially if their internal clock is not used to shutting down so early. Consider turning off the lights on your devices and creating a low-energy environment feeling to help you fall asleep.
Eat dinner sooner
Many night owls eat late, which works well for them because they will sleep later. However, if you’re experimenting with being a morning person, you should strive for an early dinner. At least three hours before lights out. You don’t want your digestive system to work extra when it should be resting and recuperating.
Develop a morning ritual
So you’ve decided to get up at 6:30 a.m, but what will you do with all of the extra time? Everyone has a different morning routine. Now that you’ve resolved to wake up earlier than usual, it’s important to figure out what habits work best for you and make you happier. Some people enjoy starting the day with a workout, such as a meditative walk. Others love journaling and morning prayers. Perhaps you’d want to begin an appreciation practice or spend some time in the kitchen preparing a homemade breakfast. Build something sustainable and play with how it looks. Then make it part of your everyday routine.
There are positive benefits to being an early riser, it might be difficult to wake up when everyone else is asleep, but good things always come at a cost. These are the benefits according to Calm:
This article first appeared on Bona.
