So, you’ve been a night owl for the longest time, and you feel you have to change your schedule. But how can you become an early bird? Fortunately, we have here tips on how to stop being a night owl. These are practical, and we bet with a little bit of determination, you can fix your sleep schedule in no time.
Different people have different circadian rhythms. Some might be active in the morning, while others can do more at night. However, there are certain instances where you need to shift schedule because of work, or you have to attend to your children’s school activities. Here’s how you can do it.
Tips on How to Stop Being a Night Owl
Ready to wake up and be active in the morning?
Wake Up Earlier Than the Usual
First, you have to adjust your mornings. By this, we mean that you have to wake up earlier than your usual schedule. Yes, this could be a bit challenging, but only for a few days. The trick here is to be consistent. Our personal tip is to use no snooze alarm clocks so you will be forced to wake up. If you can’t find one right now, check the link below.
PILIFE 4-inch Retro Analog Twin Bell Alarm Clock
This is a cool-looking retro clock that will be a good aid if you wish to wake up every morning. It uses technology that shows accurate time, and you don’t have to worry about the ticking sound at night. This means, you can stay asleep without distractions. It’s so loud, making it ideal for heavy sleepers, even for those who have mild hearing issues. Using this is easy too. Just place an AA battery, and you are good to go.
It’s an alarm clock you could also give to your loved ones and friends. It’s economical yet highly effective. Quite frankly, this is way better than alarms that you can easily snooze.
Have a Strong Why for Waking Up Early
There are times that we do not want to get up early because we feel that our day will just be the same. There’s nothing special or a strong reason why you would want to get out of bed. If that’s the case, you need to reframe your mindset and start a routine that will make you more excited every morning.
For example, start your day with freshly brewed coffee or by meditating. You can also start it by writing in your gratitude journal. Think about the things you can do when you start your day early. Perhaps, you can read and learn about something you are passionate about.
Do It Gradually
We understand that it can be challenging to wake up at 6 AM if you are used to waking up at 7 or 8. There’s no need to make drastic changes to your schedule. What we encourage you to do is to adjust your time slowly. For example, try setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier. And when you are used to it, adjust it again to an earlier time.
Get More Light
Sunlight can greatly affect our circadian rhythm. If possible, open your curtains as you wake up because this will decrease your body’s production of melatonin. Just so you know, melatonin is sleep-inducing, and that’s why there are products made out of it to help people having trouble falling asleep.
Now, if your room does not have enough sunlight, there are lamps that could be a good alternative. You might want to consider our recommendation below.
Wobrikosee Light Therapy Lamp
This light can initiate the full spectrum of the sun’s light. It has four levels of brightness and two lighting modes. In addition, it’s UV-free which makes it safe and friendly to the eyes and skin. We recommend this for people with insomnia or those who lack sun exposure. And since it has a portable design, you can bring it practically anywhere you go. If you want to travel with it or to use it in the office, that’s all possible.
Work on Your Evening Schedule
Now that you’ve moved your morning activities, you may now adjust your evening schedules accordingly. For example, if you need to hit the gym, or meet your friends, you can schedule it an hour earlier so you still have more time to sleep. You can even assess all your activities at night time and see which ones you can shorten.
Do the Same Routine Even on Weekends
We know it can be tempting to sleep more over the weekend. But if you wish to change your body clock, stick with your new schedule. Yes, it’s true that getting more sleep could make you feel better. But it could mess up your schedule come Sunday night, and it will be more challenging to wake up on Monday morning.
Stay Away From Blue Light Before Sleeping
You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but you have to avoid using gadgets before you sleep. The blue light it emits can make you more active. The mere exposure can delay your sleeping time by 30 minutes. If you think about it, that’s a lot.
So we say, turn off your TV, place your tablets or smartphones in an area where you can’t easily reach it. And just try to relax before you sleep. You can even use ambient noise machines, or you can listen to soothing songs until you fall asleep.
Here’s a good video on how to stop being a night owl. It has been helpful for us, and we’re sure it will do the same for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfyVvROj9R0
Conclusion, How to Stop Being a Night Owl
Being a night owl isn’t so bad. There are people who are good at burning the midnight oil. Yet again, there are instances and situations wherein you have to shift your schedule. It might not be the easiest task, but it is possible with the techniques above.
As a rule of thumb, be consistent and never hit the snooze button!