How I’m Becoming a Morning Person…Again
So, I used to be a morning person. Of sorts.
Last year I used to work at Starbucks as a barista doing the early morning shift. This meant that I was up at 4:20 and clocked in for work before 5:00.
Before that, I was in college for two years. Most of my classes started at 7:00 in the morning. I usually had my workout done beforehand, so I’d set my alarm for around 4:45, drive (or often, bike) to the gym, workout, come back, throw breakfast in my backpack, and then would run (literally) to class. I had a reputation of always just barely “squeaking in” to class on time. With school, juggling a couple jobs, homework…in order to get everything done in time, I had to get up early.
Then, in February, I had my car accident and the severe trauma I went through left me on my bed for months. The last couple months I’ve been very mobile again, although it’s still a struggle getting my strength back. However, even after all that bed rest I am a lot weaker and, to be redundant, just really tired. I have to remind myself that the exhaustion I feel is just part of the healing process and will hopefully be better in a few months.
I used to thrive off of 3-5 hours of sleep per night (I know – that’s bad!) and spent almost 3 years living that way. Now I can’t seem to function properly on less than 8-10 hours. I know my body is still healing and I need more sleep, but I get up much later than I ever did.
So when I found a challenge that Best Kept Self was hosting for the month of August, I decided to go for it. I want to make use of my mornings better and feel more productive.The first week of the Start Right End Right Challenge encourages you to set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier than you normally do.
The second week, which I am now on, has you set it back 30 minutes. And so on. Each week your alarm goes back 15 minutes until you’re getting up an hour earlier consistently.
You know how the morning just flies by and you’re wondering where on earth it went!? In the daily email Best Kept Self sends out (for the challenge), they mentioned how when we change our routines just a little bit (i.e. working out a different place, making a different breakfast, eating outside, ect) it makes the brain work a little bit harder. When we’re stuck in the same routine, the brain forms this “non-thinking” sort of habit. It’s done this routine a dozen times, so it literally becomes “mindless” i.e. more efficient. So, in this sense, when we try to “spice up” our morning routines we make time “feel” slower. This can help us more relaxed too.
So this week, in addition to setting my alarm 30 minutes earlier, I want to switch it up a little bit and…
- eat breakfast on the porch
- make a new pancake recipe (low carb of course!) for breakfast
- do a light workout before breakfast (instead of doing it after)
I’m also reminding myself of all these fantastic tips from this post on Project Morning Person I wrote a while ago.
Wish me luck! xo
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post for the challenge. I’m just sharing something I’m trying to get me up a little earlier.So early birds, do you have any other tips for me?
Category: Healthy Living | Tags: how to become a morning person, start right end right challenge, tips for getting up earlier 5 comments »
Great idea, and props to you! I have serious night owl syndrome and have tried this more times than I can count with golden failure every time. I used to be a morning person but those days are long gone, good luck!!
Way to motivate yourself girl!
I’m doing the challenge too! I’ve been loving it so far. I am not a morning person at all, but have wanted to get up earlier to get some blog work done before I leave to go to work. I am loving all of their tips!
Carly – I’ve been loving all their ideas too…so helpful!
I’ve been a morning person earlier but not anymore . Trying hard to be one. Good luck and thanks for the motivation.
I’m @ http://polkadotsandcurry.com/