How to get out of that early morning slump
We’ve all had those horrid mornings when we wished for the sun to not come up. We feel tired even before starting our day. It usually doesn’t make sense because you easily slept for over 8 hours yet still feel unbelievably slow and sluggish. Well, you’re certainly not alone!
Even the most motivated people get into early morning slumps from time to time. The culprits causing this slump can vary from the cold weather to what you had for dinner, hormones, or even just life kicking us down every now and then.
So, to get out of this terrible feeling and start functioning somewhat normally, we turn to good ol’ caffeine. The same caffeine that’s bound to make us jittery the entire day, but what can you do? There’s work piling up and errands to run.
What if we were to tell you there are ways of banishing your morning slump or at least getting out of it faster? Ready to discover little things you can do to feel fresh and productive each morning? Let’s find out some of the best ways to get out of your early morning slump.
1. Embrace Your Slump
The first and perhaps hardest thing to do is accepting that you’re in the middle of a slump, and it’s alright to feel that way. We usually to put needless pressure on ourselves to be ‘okay’ when we’re clearly not.
It becomes even tougher to embrace our slump when we scroll Instagram right after waking up and see people living their best lives. In these moments, it is necessary to remind yourself that what you’re seeing isn’t always the complete reality, and everyone gets down from time to time.
We’re all human, and nobody is productive every day of the month – we shouldn’t expect ourselves to be either! Be kinder to yourself during your slump and take things slow. One bad day doesn’t mean you aren’t doing amazing things in your life.
2. Stop Hitting that Snooze Button
The snooze button on our alarms is beloved to us all. However, it can be quite damaging if you’re in the middle of a morning slump.
The second you hit snooze for the first time, your body goes into fragmented sleep mode, which usually disrupts your ability to be productive for the whole day. If you’re having trouble fighting off the urge to hit snooze, we have a little tip for you!
Try to set two alarms for the morning instead of just one. Your first alarm should be for at least 90 minutes before you’re required to wake up. Ninety minutes is the minimum time for a full sleep cycle, so your body won’t go into fragmented sleep mode, and when you do wake up, you’ll feel well-rested and ready to take on the day.
3. A Splash of Cold Water
It might sound torturous, but scientists have reported cold showers as one of the most effective ways of being productive at work.
If you feel too tired to haul yourself to the shower, splash some cold water on your face. It will have a similar effect, and the sudden temperature change makes you feel more awake. If you’re having trouble leaving the bed, keep a spray bottle with icy, cold water and spritz it all over your face as soon as you wake up.
You can even try out energizing morning face masks to pamper yourself a little and feel better overall.
4. Sip Some Too
While splashing water on your face works wonders, drinking it first thing in the morning is a great way to feel fresh and bright too.
Tiredness is often caused by dehydration, which can even lead to mood changes and temporary cognitive disabilities. So, keep a water bottle on your nightstand and have some to shake off your early morning slump.
Pro tip: To make your water even more energizing, add some detoxifying ingredients to it like mint, lemon, and cucumbers. It will trigger your metabolism and get rid of that unsettling heavy sensation.
5. Pen Down Two Lists
One of our favorite ways of fighting off that lethargy is by making lists.
Your first list should have all the things you need to get done that day. It’ll help you focus on your goals, and the neat presentation will ensure you don’t get overwhelmed. Pen down everything you need to do, be it preparing lunch, working on a particular project, or even applying a special night cream.
The second one is your grateful list. Often, we miss out on the wonderful things life has to offer because we’re so focused on the negatives. So, make it a habit to think of at least five good things in your life currently. They can be anything from the delicious lasagne you had for dinner last night or your precious pup, giving you extra cuddles in the morning.
It doesn’t even have to be a written down list, remind yourself of these things, and we promise you’ll feel a lot better immediately.
6. It’s Okay to Take a Day Off
Lastly, it is essential to realize that you don’t have to be at your best every single day. There is no harm in taking a sick day if you don’t feel well enough to head to school or work. You won’t fall behind or lose out on much, honestly!
Take a day off and focus on yourself only. Cancel all appointments and apologize to your friends for not making it to any prior commitments. Instead, take it easy and relax for a day. Make your favorite food, and settle on the couch with a feel-good movie. You’ve earned it!
Final Thoughts
The pressure to work at the best of our abilities every day can get to us all. It is necessary to remember that everyone gets tired, and when exhaustion hits, you need to rest up. Nobody will hold it against you, and your body will be grateful for some relaxation time. Enjoy your day off!
