There are times in one's life when an idea instills itself as a theme of one's thought processes. And having read the posts on this blog in the recent times, you would see that I too have been a man possessed by an idea. The question 'How to wake up early?' assumed importance in my life and I finally decided to work on finding the beginning to the answer. So, after a month of watching my habits, modifying my routines and some more watching of my own routine, I have a few observations that I would like to share with you all.
1. Find a morning routine you love
This could be a great motivator for you to persist with your commitment of waking up early. I love to begin my day with a round of Yoga and meditation and nothing better than the pre-dawn times to spend time with oneself. This I saw took care of the rest of my day!
2. Get enough sleep.
This is perhaps something that is different for each one of us. Yet, most adults would require between 6-8 hours of sleep each night. It is best to stick to the old adage of 'Early to bed and early to rise' rather than trying to cut down on the hours of sleep.
3. Wind down your day
As I have mentioned before, the human body is best suited to work during the day and rest at night. Our lifestyles hardly reflect this rule of nature these days but with a little observation, you'll see that the body begins to subtle signs of wanting to ease down in the evening. Listen to them!
The best way to wake up on time is to sleep on time!
4. No mobile phone beside the bed
This would save you from the temptation of browsing the net through the mobile for that 'last email' or 'urgent text' . If you are worried of 'not being available' for your loved ones, let them know of your changed routine and , believe me, they would understand and support you.
5. One wink at a time
It is wise not to be overambitious and begin waking up, say - two hours earlier than your normal time. It is best to decrease 15 min at a time, sustaining each for a week's duration or so. So, if you were to wake up at 7:00 am then begin with waking up at 6:45 am. That way, you would not feel the vast difference and also by a month's time you'd have learnt to wake up an hour early!
6. Math problem solver Alarm
Nothing like technology to aid in a good habit!
I have come across this Alarm clock for my Android Smart phone which persuades me to solve math problems before I could hit the snooze or dismiss button!
7. Avoid caffeine towards the end of the day.
Just like you notice yourself feeling renewed after a cup of caffeinated coffee, you'd see that it doesn't let you fall asleep immediately after. Hence, it is best to avoid any stimulants an hour or so before bed time.
8. Eat the least for dinner.
According to the ancient Indian 'science of life'- Ayurveda, dinner is supposed to be the least of all the meals.
It is known that a heavy dinner obstructs sound sleep. Therefore, it is best to have dinner at least two hours prior to bed-time.
9. Set something to do early in the morning, that’s important for you(This post is a part of the 'Rising Early series'. You could read the rest of the posts in the series HERE. )
I use this time after my meditation to plan the day ahead. I slot the most demanding tasks at the times that I am the most productive. Yes, this is one way to make sure that your best time of the day is organized to suit the most productive tasks at hand.
10. There is no vacation from a good habit
It might look daunting and almost unnecessary to continue with this early day routine on a holiday. But, just imagine waking up at six on a Monday morning after waking up at nine on the weekends, if not later. That would be a Herculean task for sure!
I am looking at a new way of beginning my day and a renewed way of life. In that scheme of ideas, taking a break from waking early hardly makes any sense.
What do I get out of it?
Apart from the above observations, I have found the following to be the strong motivators for me to stick to this healthy lifestyle:
1. An opportunity to see the one of the most beautiful phenomenon of Nature played over and over again -the sunrise
2. A good unhurried breakfast
3. A headstart into the day
4. A peaceful beginning to the day
5. Time to plan the day out
However, it has been painful in the beginning and I have failed on many occasions to rise early.
Yet, the commitment persists and I am beginning to reap the befits of my perseverance already. If you would ask me for one last 'sage advice', I'd say thus:
(This post is a part of the 'Rising Early series'. You could read the rest of the posts in the series HERE. )
1. Find a morning routine you love
This could be a great motivator for you to persist with your commitment of waking up early. I love to begin my day with a round of Yoga and meditation and nothing better than the pre-dawn times to spend time with oneself. This I saw took care of the rest of my day!
2. Get enough sleep.
This is perhaps something that is different for each one of us. Yet, most adults would require between 6-8 hours of sleep each night. It is best to stick to the old adage of 'Early to bed and early to rise' rather than trying to cut down on the hours of sleep.
3. Wind down your day
As I have mentioned before, the human body is best suited to work during the day and rest at night. Our lifestyles hardly reflect this rule of nature these days but with a little observation, you'll see that the body begins to subtle signs of wanting to ease down in the evening. Listen to them!
The best way to wake up on time is to sleep on time!
4. No mobile phone beside the bed
This would save you from the temptation of browsing the net through the mobile for that 'last email' or 'urgent text' . If you are worried of 'not being available' for your loved ones, let them know of your changed routine and , believe me, they would understand and support you.
5. One wink at a time
It is wise not to be overambitious and begin waking up, say - two hours earlier than your normal time. It is best to decrease 15 min at a time, sustaining each for a week's duration or so. So, if you were to wake up at 7:00 am then begin with waking up at 6:45 am. That way, you would not feel the vast difference and also by a month's time you'd have learnt to wake up an hour early!
6. Math problem solver Alarm
I have come across this Alarm clock for my Android Smart phone which persuades me to solve math problems before I could hit the snooze or dismiss button!
7. Avoid caffeine towards the end of the day.
Just like you notice yourself feeling renewed after a cup of caffeinated coffee, you'd see that it doesn't let you fall asleep immediately after. Hence, it is best to avoid any stimulants an hour or so before bed time.
8. Eat the least for dinner.
According to the ancient Indian 'science of life'- Ayurveda, dinner is supposed to be the least of all the meals.
It is known that a heavy dinner obstructs sound sleep. Therefore, it is best to have dinner at least two hours prior to bed-time.
9. Set something to do early in the morning, that’s important for you(This post is a part of the 'Rising Early series'. You could read the rest of the posts in the series HERE. )
I use this time after my meditation to plan the day ahead. I slot the most demanding tasks at the times that I am the most productive. Yes, this is one way to make sure that your best time of the day is organized to suit the most productive tasks at hand.
10. There is no vacation from a good habit
It might look daunting and almost unnecessary to continue with this early day routine on a holiday. But, just imagine waking up at six on a Monday morning after waking up at nine on the weekends, if not later. That would be a Herculean task for sure!
I am looking at a new way of beginning my day and a renewed way of life. In that scheme of ideas, taking a break from waking early hardly makes any sense.
What do I get out of it?
Apart from the above observations, I have found the following to be the strong motivators for me to stick to this healthy lifestyle:
1. An opportunity to see the one of the most beautiful phenomenon of Nature played over and over again -the sunrise
2. A good unhurried breakfast
3. A headstart into the day
4. A peaceful beginning to the day
5. Time to plan the day out
However, it has been painful in the beginning and I have failed on many occasions to rise early.
Yet, the commitment persists and I am beginning to reap the befits of my perseverance already. If you would ask me for one last 'sage advice', I'd say thus:
Choose 'Short term pain, Long term gain over Short term gain, long term pain'.
(This post is a part of the 'Rising Early series'. You could read the rest of the posts in the series HERE. )
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