How to ease the struggle of getting out of bed in the morning

In my last blog I covered some ideas that may help you get to sleep at night, but sometimes the thought and effort of getting up in the morning to face another day can be difficult.
 
I’m not a morning person, so it is something I've personally struggled with – leaving getting out of bed until the last minute and then running round in a panic trying to get ready for work while, at the same time, giving myself a hard time for getting up late yet again!  But the following things have helped me, so I’m hoping that they will also help you too.

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• Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day

By sticking to the same routine, even on non-working days, your body will soon get used to working to this clock and will remember what time it is supposed to sleep and rest.  Don’t be tempted to stay in bed longer in the morning to make up for the sleep you lost – the more tired you are during the day, the more likely you are to sleep better that night, although if you really are struggling, try taking a 20 minute power nap instead (see my top tip for napping in my blog: https://www.beckystokes-counsellor.co.uk/blog/what-to-do-when-you-cant-get-to-sleep). 
 

• Get into a routine

Just as you might do when preparing to go to bed, a calming, relaxed start to the day provides a gradual transition from being asleep to being awake.  Try writing your journal, or make a list of what you want to achieve that day.
 

• Cut out mobile phones/tablet/laptop use

The light that these devices emit can stimulate the brain, so try not to use your devices first thing in the morning to let you wake up gradually instead of it being a shock to the system.
 

• Give yourself something to look forward to

If you have trouble getting up in the mornings, give yourself something to look forward too on waking – I’ve got a teasmaid (for those of you who are old enough to remember them from the 70s!), so I wake up to a freshly-made cup of tea every morning, which I sip while I’m still in bed.  It helps me to come-to gradually, and gives me quiet-time at the start of the day, instead of leaping out of bed in a mad rush to get ready for work.
 
These ideas can help you take back control of your mornings, instead of feeling like work, or other commitments, are dictating when you get up.
 
It’s time to reclaim your mornings!
 
What have you found helps you to rise and shine?  Let me know in the comments below, or send me a message via my contact me page.
 
Take care,
Becky