There’s nothing like the blaring sound of the iPhone alarm at sunrise… And then again 15 minutes later… And then again 30 minutes later. The self-inflicted torture of the snooze button is something most of us are all too familiar with–but there are some pretty solid reasons to quit this bad relationship.
Hitting snooze is not only making you feel more tired in the morning, but it contributes to the lethargy you feel throughout your day. Fragmenting your sleep with the cycle of waking up, hitting snooze, and entering a light sleep for 10 minutes means that the extra sleep you are getting isn’t high quality or beneficial.
Plus, if you actual conk out after you reset the alarm you’re messing with your natural REM sleep cycle, which will leave you more tired throughout the day. Not worth it! Break up with your snooze button once and for all and wake up your morning routine with these easy tips.
The best part of waking up
There are just some smells that make the idea of crawling out of your warm, comfy bed sound not so terrible. Citrus and peppermint aromatherapy essential oils provide a natural stimulant–keep them bedside and take a whiff to instantly get your brain working and revive you after a restful night. Another scent that can do the trick? Good ol’ coffee. Prep your coffee pot the evening before and set the timer to your usual wake up time. The iconic aroma of brewing coffee will give you the kick you need to get out of bed!
Make your alarm clock even more annoying
If you’re forced to get out of bed, you’re way less likely to roll over and slide back into dreamland. The best way to get on your feet when you’re half asleep? Move your alarm clock so it’s no longer within reach. You’ve got to turn it off somehow!
Get your circadian rhythm in check
Your circadian rhythm, the natural internal clock that tells your body when to be tired and when to get energized, is strongly influenced by light. The more light there is, the more likely your body will want to be awake. So if you’re sleeping with your curtains open, with the TV on, or even with a bright alarm clock next to you, you could be inhibiting your body’s ability to enter deep sleep.
Consider investing in a sleep mask so you can cue your body into its deepest sleep cycle, naturally. The more deeply you can sleep in the middle of the night, the easier it will feel to wake up in the a.m.
Give yourself a reason to be excited to get up
If you’re anything like us, you like food. Like, a lot. What better reason to get out of bed in the morning than to eat a delicious breakfast? If you’re excited about the food you get to eat, you’re much less likely to hang out in bed for those few extra minutes. Plus, if you start your day off with a healthy breakfast your energy levels could be more even throughout the day, setting you up for a better night’s sleep that evening. Nix your boring milk and cereal for something way more exciting: pancakes, smoothie bowls, waffles, and our personal favorite, coconut protein bars that taste like candy. Healthy, delicious, and simple? Count us in.
Move your asana
But really, get your heart pumping to wake yourself up, stat. Try a few sun salutations right when you get out of bed to increase your circulation and kick-start your deep breathing. Just two minutes of yoga in the morning can increase your oxytocin and serotonin levels, the hormones that keep your outlook on life positive and upbeat.
It’s not always easy but we promise it’s worth it! Make your entire day easier by ditching the snooze button in favor of waking up naturally — birds chirping, sun shining, your arms stretched out, and your energy high.
Illustration by Foley Wu
Michelle Pellizzon
Certified health coach and endorphin enthusiast, Michelle is an expert in healthy living and eating. When she’s not writing you can find her running trails, reading about nutrition, and eating lots of guacamole.
Certified health coach and endorphin enthusiast, Michelle is an expert in healthy living and eating. When she’s not writing you can find her running Read More
Originally published at thrivemarket.com on September 4, 2015.
Originally published at medium.com