Get On a Schedule<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWith everyday things getting in the way, your bedtime probably varies from day to day. However, if you want to get that perfect<\/em> sleep– waking up refreshed to the point that you don\u2019t even need an alarm, you need to get on a schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat means shutting off the lights and going to bed at the same time every night, as well as waking up at the same time every morning. Think of it as training yourself to wake up comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First things first, you need to figure out how many hours of sleep you need in order to wake up feeling refreshed. The recommended amount is seven to nine hours per night. How can you tell the perfect amount for you? Here are some signs you\u2019re not getting enough hours of sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could experience fatigue throughout the day, \u201cbrain fog,\u201d sleepiness, excessive yawning, irritability, and a lack of motivation. An increase in appetite is also a sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even on off-days and weekends, stick to your sleep schedule. Soon enough, your body will get used to the routine and begin waking up on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dos and Don’ts of Bedtime Routines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA sleeping schedule is preceded by a bedtime routine. Without even knowing it, you could be setting yourself up for failure. The dos and don\u2019ts of a healthy, reinvigorating routine include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the later part of the day, around six hours before you hit the hay, completely cut off all caffeinated drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If part of your routine is settling in bed and scrolling through social media, you may also be sabotaging your chances for good sleep. Any devices that emit blue light can easily prevent you from falling asleep. Looking at any type of screen, like your phone or laptop, interferes with your circadian rhythm, which is the internal process that regulates your sleep-wake cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get the Alarm Right<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you make <\/em>time in order to hit snooze every day on your alarm, then maybe you\u2019re not entirely to blame. There are several factors that go into getting your alarm right.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe first one is choosing an alarm that makes waking up easier. In theory, being gently nudged awake by the sound of rainfall, crashing waves, or a guitar softly strumming sounds charming, but do any of those really make you want to get out of bed or do they just lull you back to sleep? And if you think about choosing your favorite song as a wake-up call, then chances are that it\u2019s not going to be your favorite song for much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do have a song as your alarm, you may be on the right track! A study by RMIT University in Melbourne found that harsh alarms, especially ones that make you jolt<\/em> awake, lead to increased levels of grogginess and stress, as well as less productivity throughout the day. Instead, what you want is a pleasant song that will help you transition more easily and steadily into a waking state.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s important is to choose a melodic sound that doesn\u2019t surprise you in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make Getting to Your Alarm Harder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere\u2019s actually a word for hitting the snooze button several times. It\u2019s called drockling<\/em>. If your routine involves blindly hitting the snooze button, your drockling does more harm than good and provides less relief than you realize. Here is how you can avoid this.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMake getting to your alarm a more difficult process. Waking up to hit snooze then going back to sleep messes up your internal clock. By the time you finally drag yourself out from under the covers, you\u2019re crankier and groggier than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid this problem entirely by placing your alarm far away from you. Far enough that you have to get up to shut it off, but not so far that you can\u2019t hear it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave Your Phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn the first few minutes you\u2019re awake, you\u2019re still setting the tone for how groggy you\u2019re going to be throughout the day. As you\u2019re still in bed, you can control your upcoming energy levels. Reaching for your phone first thing in the morning is a sure way to start your day off badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If anything, it\u2019s going to suck up a large amount of time you can use productively for something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make Your Bed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere is <\/em>a reason why your parents made you tidy up your bed every morning. This activity of simply straightening up your covers in a few minutes simultaneously eases your wake-up process and helps you sleep easier at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot only does it give you a sense of accomplishment, but also when you crawl into bed at the end of a long day, it will be to a nicely made bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stretch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- There are few things in the world as refreshing as stretching all your muscles in the morning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are scientifically proven benefits to stretching.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
See, the act of stretching in the morning gets the blood flowing into your muscles, especially if you usually sleep in the same position all night. Stretching also increases your flexibility and range of motion, as well as increases your endurance and decreases risk of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Splash On Some Cold Water<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIndulge your dreams of being in a skincare product commercial and splash some cold water on your face in the morning. That will drive away any leftover sleepiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drink Water<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDrinking a cup of coffee or tea may be at the top on your list of priorities in the morning, but take a moment and down a glass of water first. By doing so, you\u2019re rehydrating your body, limiting fatigue, and decreasing your chances of becoming dehydrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people like starting their day with a glass of cold water while others drink warm water with lemon in order to shake off night time dehydration. Find what works best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eat Healthier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHow you eat throughout the day sets the tone for the quality of your sleep and how difficult it will be to wake up later. A healthy diet does wonders towards increasing your energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the opposite end of the spectrum, unhealthy foods– as tasty as they are– drain your energy and you\u2019ll end up sluggish and suffering from indigestion. Stimulants, like caffeine, make it hard to adjust your sleeping schedule and fall asleep early, so it\u2019s best to either avoid them or only indulge in the mornings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a healthy diet full of nourishing foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, is a life-changer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n