5 Tips For Getting Out of Bed and Staying Awake

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We get it – waking up can be tricky. Whether you work a 9 to 5, have an early morning workout routine, or simply want to push yourself to get up and start your day at a more reasonable hour, there are many reasons you may want to improve your morning routine and make it easier to get out of bed.

Like anything else in life, it helps to have something that sincerely motivates you to do the hard things (like forcing yourself out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off or avoiding lounging around in bed until noon). Whether that’s a morning pick-me-up like a cup of concentrated coffee, exciting morning brunch plans, or simply the ability to have a few moments of alone time before the kids wake up, finding something that makes the concept of getting out of bed less daunting will make all the difference.

Finding that particular motivation for yourself isn’t hard to do, and with a bit of practice and consistency, you may even find yourself excited to get out of bed and start the day (we know it sounds like a stretch, but trust us on this one).

Here are five easy tips for making those first few minutes of the morning a little smoother:

1. Stop hitting snooze

If you’re one of those who have to set 5 different alarms in the morning or hit the snooze button a handful of times, this may be a challenge for you. Once your body becomes conditioned to expect more opportunities to fall back asleep in the morning, it can be difficult to rewire your brain into being alert as soon as that first alarm goes off.

However, even something as simple as discouraging yourself from hitting the snooze button can significantly affect your ability to wake up early and start the day. If you typically hit it at least a few times every morning, change that habit gradually by decreasing the number of times you allow yourself to hit it every week. If you prefer the cold turkey approach, more power to you.

If this feels too challenging for you, take it one step further and keep your phone (or whatever you use as an alarm) in a part of the room you can’t reach from your bed. This will force you to get out of bed to turn off that annoying alarm – and isn’t getting up the most challenging part anyway?

2. Make your mornings sweet

If you’re waking up on an average day or a work day, you may find it hard to find the motivation to get out of bed because you’re not looking forward to anything in particular in the day ahead. Change that by investing in or planning a special morning treat for yourself on the days when you’d rather stay under the covers and away from the world.

If your morning cup of coffee is the first moment of true joy in your day, try taking your regular cup up a notch by trying concentrated coffee. If you love starting your day with music, curate a long and unique playlist for yourself of your favorite energizing tunes and start playing it as soon as you turn off your alarm. Listening while you shower and get ready will make your morning feel much lighter and distract your brain from the thoughts of yearning to get back into bed.

3. Make yourself your priority of the day

In our busy everyday lives, it can be so easy to let our minds start racing the moment we open our eyes in the morning. We immediately start running through our to-do list, checking work emails or social media to catch up on what happened overnight.

However, many mental health experts say working or checking your phone as soon as you wake up can be detrimental to your energy, mood, and long-term mental wellness. Instead of opening up your Gmail or blasting TikToks, find a way to pour into yourself and nourish your mind and body in those first few moments of the day.

Whether that’s a quick meditation, a super short uplifting podcast, a journaling session, or a few gentle stretches, making time to wake up slowly and do something that feels good to you will make a difference. Depending on your schedule, this may require you to set your alarm a few minutes earlier – but if that feels daunting to you, repeat tip one until it feels a little easier.

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No matter what your current morning routine looks like or how hard it is for you to get out of bed, changing your habits one tiny bit at a time will make all difference in setting the stage for a happier, lighter, more successful day.

4. Set an intention for the day

One of the best ways to improve your mornings is to set an intention or goal for the day as soon as you wake up. This could be as simple as saying, “I will be patient today” or “Today I will exercise for 30 minutes.”

The beauty of setting an intention is that it can be personal to you and your current mood. If you’re feeling extra anxious or stressed, your intention might be, “I will take three deep breaths before responding to anything today.” If you’re feeling down, try “I will smile at five strangers today.”

You get the idea – the options are endless, but the goal is always the same: to start your day off on the right foot with a positive mindset that will carry you throughout the day.

5. Ease into your day

Mornings are often the busiest time of day, but if you take a few deep breaths and ease into your morning routine, the rest of your day will go more smoothly. This may look different for everyone, but some ideas include taking a few moments to quietly sit with your coffee or tea before starting your day, setting aside time for a short walk or stretch break mid-morning, or taking a lunch break outside in the fresh air.

Easing into your day will help you feel more grounded and present, reducing stress and anxiety and improving your overall mood. If you’re someone who struggles with mornings, start small and see how adding even just one of these ideas into your routine makes you feel. Over time, you may find that slowly easing into your day is the key to making mornings work better for you.

Mornings can be tricky, but with some planning and effort, you can make them work better for you. Following these tips will set you up for a happier, more successful day – and who doesn’t want that?