How to build the habit of being a “morning person”.
I used to be such a night owl. I would stay up til 10-11pm at night and watch TV, read books or scroll on my phone. I would wake up late every morning and feel tired all throughout the day and crash in the afternoon for a nap before dinner. I didn’t like getting up early, and I would always sleep in as late as I could every day and hated the moment the alarm went off. Can you relate to this? I think I thought that some people are just “morning people” and they wake up early and in a good mood. I thought I was just a “night person”.
A few years ago, I wanted to build a healthy lifestyle and become fit, healthy and strong.
I didn’t like my life the way it was and I knew I needed to make some changes. I started reading books about daily habits and how to make change in my life that actually lasted. The more books I read and podcasts I listened to about people who had healthy, successful lives, there was a common theme. GET UP EARLY! So many people had written about the success of building a lifestyle of healthy habits, and how their morning habits, really helped them have a great day.
I decided to give it a go. I had nothing to lose.
I set the alarm for 6am and got up and went for a walk around the block. I came home and felt motivated and positive. I started going for a morning walk a few times a week for a few months, and I started to feel fitter, stronger and more energetic. I then started listening to podcasts on my walk and this helped me get my brain into a positive mind set for the day. I started waking up naturally at 6am and going for a walk everyday, and this small habit of waking up early and exercising has made a big impact to my overall wellbeing.
I still go for a walk or a run every morning and I would say I look forward to it now.
After a few months of setting my alarm at 6am and starting the day off with a “morning routine”, it broke the mindset of me not being a “morning person”. Now, I love getting up early to do some stretches, meditation, prayer, make a healthy shake and take vitamins, and I love the mornings where I get to see the sun rise. The moment the sun hits my face I feel alive and ready for a great day.
I would say becoming a “morning person” has also helped me feel calm, present in the moment and organized. I used to wake up late and rush through getting ready, sometimes eat breakfast and run out the door to work. I would feel disorganized, flustered, and rushed by the time I got to work. It didn’t set me up for a great day.
Now, when I get up early, I have time to get ready, eat a healthy breakfast, review what I have on for the day and prepare myself for any tasks I have to do before work. I get to work feeling calm, relaxed and ready for a great day.
Becoming a “morning person” is just breaking a mindset and thinking a different way about how the mornings are the best part of your day when you are at your freshest and best, and utilizing the time you have to enjoy it.
Building healthy habits takes time, so just start small.
Set your alarm half an hour earlier that you usually do and pick 1 healthy habit that takes 10 minutes to do to start your day. You could go for a walk around the block. You could do some stretches in your loungeroom, you could go for a quick swim, or get on the treadmill that’s sitting in your spare room, collecting dust! Start small, be consistent, because building a healthy lifestyle takes time, but you have to start with one small step at a time.
You never know, you might end up being a “morning person” after all!