Tips To Waking Up With Vigor When It’s Still Dark Outside

Waking up early is hard for most people in this busy world. Even on beautiful summer mornings, getting out of bed can be a struggle, but doing so in the winter when it’s still dark outside can feel impossible. Waking up when it’s still dark isn’t ideal, but there are many tricks you can try that will make it possible to wake up refreshed, even on the darkest of mornings.

Keep a consistent sleep schedule, establish a nightly routine, and consider investing in an illuminating alarm clock to wake up easier when it’s dark outside. Program your thermostat to warm up the home before you awaken, and turn on lights when get out of bed. Treat yourself each morning, use music to awaken your mind, and stretch your body for 5 to 10 minutes before starting your day.

If you find it difficult and depressing to get out of bed when it’s still dark outside, you aren’t alone. Getting up when it still looks like the middle of the night isn’t fun for anyone. The good news is that there are ways to make the experience easier and more enjoyable. Below is a list of tips and tricks to ensure you wake up energized, even when it’s dark outside.

13 Ways To Wake Up With Vigor When It’s Dark Outside

1. Establish A Wind-Down Routine

It’s much easier to wake up refreshed when you go to bed at a decent hour. One of the best ways to ensure a restful night's sleep is to establish a consistent wind-down routine. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to dim the lights and stop using technology thirty minutes to one hour before bed. Additionally, find a soothing task to enjoy right before bedtime. Reading a book, meditating, and listening to mellow music are all great ways to relax your mind and ensure a restful night’s sleep.

2. Have Bedrooms Lights On A Morning Timer

Getting up when it’s dark outside is tough, but technology can make it much easier. Just because it’s dark outdoors, it doesn't mean your room can’t be full of light. There are many ways to light up your room in the morning, including timers. You can buy bedroom lighting that gradually brightens, mimicking sunlight. You can program these lights to start brightening 10 to 15 minutes before you wake up. This can help trick your body into thinking it’s daytime, even when it’s still cold and pitch-black outside.

3. Turn On The Lights As Soon As You Wake Up

If you aren’t ready to invest in a new lighting system, then you can simply make it a habit to turn on lights as soon as you wake up. Once your alarm goes off, immediately turn on your bedside lamp. As soon as you get out of bed, turn on your remaining bedroom lights. Lights are important in the morning, as bright lights signal your brain to stop making the sleep hormone melatonin. In turn, your body will start feeling alert much faster. Walking around in the darkness will only make you feel sleepy for longer.

4. Use Music To Awaken Your Senses

Intentional sound is another great way to start your day with vigor. Instead of a loud alarm followed by silence, start your day with soothing, uplifting music. Classical and instrumental music work well, but it’s always best to go with your personal preference. Music releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to alertness and mood. Therefore, music helps get your mind where you want it in the morning.

5. Treat Yourself Each Morning

One trick to make waking up easier is ensuring you have something to look forward to once you get out of bed. A treat or daily reward is a great motivator. There are all sorts of ways you can treat yourself in the morning. A good cup of coffee, a tasty morning snack, or even a morning podcast ritual can all help motivate you to start your day. Find what inspires you in the morning, and use it as your daily motivation to get out of bed.

6. Buy An Alarm With A Lamp Feature

One easy way to make waking up in the dark a little easier is to get an alarm clock with a built-in light. Many alarm clocks brighten up your room in addition to making noise. These alarm clocks brighten your room so you don’t have to, and make it easier to get out of bed.

7. Stick To A Consistent Sleep Schedule

Establishing a consistent routine is one of the best ways to wake up naturally without a struggle. If you go to bed at the same time each night, then your body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock, will begin waking up naturally when you want to. This means you will wake up refreshed, even if it’s still dark outside.

8. Get Your Daily Dose Of Vitamin D

If you live somewhere with long and dark winters, there’s a good chance you aren’t getting enough vitamin D. Your body absorbs vitamin D through sunlight. Still, you can also supplement it by taking this vitamin when you aren’t getting enough natural light. Vitamin D helps regulate your circadian rhythm and contributes to your mood. A vitamin D supplement is a great way to ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs to wake up with energy.

9. Buy A Coffee Maker With A Timer

If coffee is part of your morning routine, then consider purchasing a programable coffee maker. Many coffee makers allow you to shcedule them to start at a specific time. By timing your morning brew, you can ensure your coffee is ready as soon as you reach the kitchen, rather than waiting several minutes for it to finish brewing. When you know a hot cup of coffee is waiting for you, it’s easier to get out of bed.

10. Stretch Your Body Before You Reach For Coffee

Coffee might help you get out of bed, but you should try to wake up your body and get your blood flowing before you start ingesting caffeine. Stretching first thing in the morning is a great way to get your muscles moving and your blood circulating. It will help you feel more alert and also get your body ready for whatever the day has in store. Adding five to ten minutes of stretching to your morning routine is a great way to live a little healthier.

11. Have Your Thermostat On A Timer

Winter darkness isn’t the only thing that makes getting up difficult. Cold temperatures in the home also make a person want to stay underneath the covers for as long as possible. One way to combat this desire to stay under your warm blankets is to program your thermostat to warm your house before you wake up. By heating your home moments before you wake up, you will find it more comfortable to walk around early in the morning, even when it’s still dark outside.

12. Buy Better Bedding

The best way to wake up with vigor is to get a great night’s sleep. A comfortable bed is one of the most effective tools to ensure a good night’s rest. If your bedding is old or if your bed is uncomfortable, you may find it hard to get out of bed each morning, as you’ll likely crave more sleep. Consider buying new bedding with higher thread-count sheets. If your bed is old, invest in a mattress topper to make the bed more comfortable. These small changes can go a long way in helping you wake up with a smile.

13. Stop Hitting The Snooze Button

If you hit the snooze button every morning, you might think you are doing yourself a favor, but hitting snooze often does more harm than good. If you’re in the habit of hitting snooze, especially more than once, then you are constantly breaking up your deep sleep. This interruption in deep REM sleep can leave you feeling groggy in the morning. Instead of hitting snooze, consider giving yourself a few extra minutes of sleep, and forcing yourself to get up as soon as your first alarm goes off.

Final Notes On How To Wake Up Easier When It’s Dark Outside

Waking up earlier than you want to isn’t easy, but it’s something many people must do more often than not. It’s even harder to wake up energized, especially in the winter when it’s still dark outside. To make waking up more enjoyable when it’s still dark outside, consider investing in a sunrise-simulation light or buying an alarm clock with a light feature. 

Establish a wind-down routine at night and stick to a strict sleep schedule. Turn on lights as soon as you wake up, and consider programming your thermostat to make getting out of bed easier.

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• Winter Bedding Dos And Don’ts