Why It's So Hard To Wake Up In The Morning

If it's really hard for you to wake up in the morning, know that it's possible to turn this experience around. The wake up to a blaring alarm that you told yourself you'd only turn off once has now turned into 35 minutes later and your fourth time hitting snooze doesn't have to continue happening.

I know. It can be a lot to face another day with a million responsibilities and a to-do list that never seems to get shorter. How can you feel so exhausted and behind when you just woke up?

The reality is not everyone identifies as a morning person. And coupled with being as a night owl, sunrises may not be your happy place. 

There are multiple reasons why mornings may not be your jam.

Start With Your Mind

It's how you identify. Many clients I've worked with say they are not morning people. Boom. It's right there in their language. When you say you're not a morning person, well, you're not. And until you change your language and belief, you never will be.

What you think and experience become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your identity, and then the cycle repeats itself.

You don't have to keep perpetuating your own story if you're not stoked about the outcomes.

If you want an easier wake up, tell yourself you are a morning person. "I am a morning person." Say it! It doesn't necessarily mean you have to wake up at 5am but it allows you embrace the day with joy and excitement with your own wake up time and routine. Start to believe it, even though it may not be your reality yet. When you identify with your desired actions, you attract them in. 

Doing Too Much Before Bed

There are 24 hours in the day but that doesn't mean you need to work and be productive all of those hours. That first wave of fatigue usually hits around 8pm and many people plow right through with bright screens, working late, intense conversations, and trying to check one more task off the list to "catch up." I've noticed this is very true for parents after the kids go down. This is your window to decompress, not rev up. 

Stay up late doing all the things and you will feel the effects the next day.

Listen to when your body gets tired after dinner. Check your calendar one more time and organize yourself for the next day but refrain from diving into any work. Start to dim the lights, clean up the kitchen, prep for breakfast and lunch, change your clothes, and switch to chill activities like a slow outdoor walk, reading a book, or puzzle.  

Switch Up Your Alarm

Isn't it time you changed that stress inducing beeping to something that will actually be soothing to hear in the morning? I'm pretty sure being jolted out of bed is not ideal to have a great morning. Play around on your alarm settings a pick a consoling sound. Pick a song, nature sounds, or even have a loved one (or yourself) record an inspiring message/quote. Or better yet, something funny! Wouldn't it be nice to smile upon opening your eyes?

Minimize Stress And Worry During The Night

Tossing and turning is keeping you up and the brain starts to ruminate over things you can't control during the night. Your stressors need an outlet and staring at the dark ceiling is not the ideal place to channel them. Drain your worries before bed by writing them down or recording them in your phone. Get them out of your body and mind! Try a few stretches or listen to a calming meditation to guide you to sleeps-ville.

You are a finite being in your physical form and to feel safe and cozy at night you need to cycle out your reactive thoughts before bed.

An Energized Morning Starts The Night Before

"The bottom line? If waking up early is not your jam, your body is telling you to take more time for evening self-care. If you're just not a morning person, you might have to work a little harder to establish a new routine, but actually being awake during the day is worth it. "If you’re anxious or not sleeping well right now, you’re not alone," Dr. Dow says. "I think this is a reminder for us all to go back to the basics: wake up, live well, sleep deep, and repeat."

- Brandi Neal and Jay Polish, referencing Dr. Mike Dow, Psy.D., Ph.D., psychotherapist, author of Heal Your Drained Brain