There have been numerous studies saying the sleep cycle of teens naturally includes going to bed late and waking up late, but… school starts bright and early each day.
So: what can we do to make it a little less devastating when the clock and
the brain and the bed are at war with each other? Here’s some tips!
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GOOD IDEAS:
- CONSISTENCY: Nobody likes the thought of waking up early on weekends, but the truth is, a consistency in bed times and wake-up times creates a more restful sleep pattern, and therefore you could be waking up feeling ready for your day! Also, a consistent routine for when you wake up will train your body and brain to know it’s time to get going.
- DRINK WATER: Water might not be super yummy or contain caffeine, but it’s hard to deny that a cup of cold water is quite refreshing. Having a crisp glass of H2O can awaken your senses and clear that groggy feeling that accompanies waking up.
- SHOWER: Now, long warm showers are nice, but if you’re wanting to feel alive, I find the best thing is to have a short warm shower, and end off by turning the water to cold as you’re about to leave the shower. It leaves you feeling very rejuvenated and awake, rather than relaxed and slow.
- TALK: Staying silent is often synonymous with staying sleepy. By interacting with someone else, you start your day, engage your mind, and become more animated.
- BE ACTIVE: Don’t worry, I’m not saying to go out for a run at 7am. What I am saying is that it’s important to walk around, stand, or sit up tall in the morning. Laying down/lounging around right after getting out of bed will bring you closer to falling asleep, not waking up. Try to keep yourself busy, and try not to let your eyes drift close again.
- APPS: The app store is full of sleep apps. Some will help you fall asleep, some will help you wake up. I have the “Sleep Cycle” app, and I think it’s really cool, because it tracks your breathing to see when the right time to wake up is. The only problem is that I find its wake up sound too soothing, which makes me fall back to sleep, but I plan to change the sound and I’m hoping that works!
- MUSIC: I have a playlist on my phone called “Get Pumped Up”. By compiling uplifting songs, you can a) feel alive, and b) sing along to make yourself feel even more alive.
Most importantly, I think, is making the choice that you want to fix your mornings. Hitting the snooze button may be the easiest way to deal with mornings, but it’s definitely not effective for the rest of your day.
Feel free to share any other wake up tips!
