Some of us simply adore mornings—we bask in the rising of the sun and the possibilities that the dawn of a new day brings. All it takes is one alarm and we shoot straight for the shower, ready to take on whatever the day has to offer. The rest of us, however, dread getting up in the morning and need our alarm to go off at least three times—the snooze button is the greatest invention—before we’re ready to make our way to the shower.

If you struggle to deal with the dawn of a new day, here are a few tips to help you deal with mornings.

Have daily routines

If you are trying to become a morning person or at least be able to get up when you need to, it is important to have a night routine and a morning routine.

Night routine

As your bedtime approaches, make sure that all devices are off—cellphones, laptops and iPads must be switched off so that your brain has time to shut down; do this at least an hour before your head hits the pillow. It is essential that you get enough hours of sleep; if you are too exhausted in the morning, you will find it very hard to wake up. If you intend on being up at 6am, make that you are in bed by 10pm. Your cellphone should be off throughout the night so that your sleep isn’t interrupted. Once your sleep is disturbed, it will be difficult to go back to sleep so make sure that there is as much silence as possible.

Morning routine

A morning routine is the best way to adjust your internal clock accordingly; if you develop one and stick to it daily, your mind and body will get used to getting up in the mornings.

First thing’s first: disable the snooze option! Once your alarm goes off, sit up, breathe in and out, get out of bed and open your curtains. If you need that extra push to get out of bed, put together a get-up-and-go playlist so that you can jam yourself out of the covers.  

If you need to be up at 6:30am, set your alarm for 6:15am so that you can give yourself time to adjust to the new day. As noted in an article in Reader’s Digest, “becoming a morning person isn’t just about adjusting your alarm clock; it’s about re-setting your body’s own internal clock.” Going outside is a refreshing way to get yourself ready for the day—fresh air and sunlight will give you the boost you need to start your day on a good note. Incorporating practices such as mediation and drinking tea, or doing anything you enjoy, will also make it easier to get up. 

Get everything done the night before

The best mornings are those that are peaceful and not rushed. To make sure that your morning is slow and easy, get everything done the night before—prepare your lunch for the next day and get your outfit ready. Getting as much done as possible the night before will put less pressure on you to make up super early.

Change the way you think about mornings

A change in perspective is more powerful than most of us realise. If you associate mornings with the end of peaceful sleep and the beginning of labour and doom, it will be excruciatingly difficult to leave the comfort of your bed. Think of mornings as the beginning of a new season filled with wonderful possibilities—you could meet someone new, come across a new song or get a new business lead. A new day also presents an opportunity for you to be a new and better version of yourself. Approach a new day as you would a new year.

Maybe its time for a change

Have you ever stopped to consider why mornings are so difficult for you? Maybe it’s your job. If you are stuck in a job you hate and you work in a toxic environment, it’s understandable that you would have a hard time getting out of bed. The thought of going back to that place could be causing you anxiety, which is known to affect an individual’s ability to get up—perhaps it’s time for a change.

Illnesses such as depression and chronic fatigue also affect an individual’s ability to get up in the mornings; make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any physical or mental conditions.

Whether you are a morning person or not, we all have to get up and get ready for work, school or whatever responsibilities require our attention. Invest in your wellbeing by finding ways of making mornings easier to get through. Being a morning person isn’t easy but it is definitely possible.