Rise and Shine! How to Get Up When You Want to Stay In Bed

Are you an early bird, a night owl, or fowl that is somewhere in between? If you're like me, you tend to switch around. On certain days, I am ready to jump out of my bed, throw back the blinds, and greet the day with a grin. On others, I stay up far too late, and would really prefer to hibernate in bed than wake up; those blankets are so soft and warm, and I hit the snooze button once. Or twice. Or maybe three times.

Although staying in bed and sleeping in can be blissful, it does have some draw backs. I can't get in that early morning workout I was so looking forward to, and don't get to see the beautiful sunrise. Plus, I'm stiff, groggy, and rather grumpy. Perhaps that fifteen minute lie-in wasn't worth it.

Mind you, I am certainly not saying that you shouldn't sleep in. In fact, getting plenty of sleep is super important for your health - the article "10 Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep" states that, among other virtues, "Sleep Keeps Your Heart Healthy..., May Help Prevent Cancer..., Reduces Stress..., Improves Your Memory..., May Reduce Your Risk of Depression..., [and] Helps the Body Repair Itself." If you studied hard last night and don't need to get up early the next day, don't! Just make sure you're not overdoing it on those late mornings.

I love to sleep in every now and then, but it looks like these lovely, drowsy mornings will be saved for weekends only. With school an hour or so away, and a workout to get done, my alarm beeps at 5:00 A.M. on the dot. It's not pleasant, but I'll get used to it. Here are my tips for helping you to rise and shine on days you'd rather stay buried under the pillows:

• Place your alarm far from your bed. Now, don't place your alarm in the dining room downstairs. You won't be able to hear it, and your house mates will hate you forever. Simply plug that dread object somewhere in your room that isn't right next to your bed. A nightstand isn't a great option, because you'll be able to reach over, from bed, and turn it off - in short, you'll end up staying curled up under the blankets. Try putting it on your desk, so that you are forced to spring up and shut it off before your sister starts screaming. Not only will you be less likely to hit snooze, but you'll be leaping right out of the covers! And speaking of alarms...
• Pick an alarm sound that is nice, but not too soothing. If you have a smartphone, it probably has an alarm. And the alarm feature probably has loads of different, amazing ringtones. You can pick sounds like a river coursing through a wood, a bird chirping, chimes singing in the breeze, or an excerpt from your favorite song. These ringtone choices are really neat, and really important; as the first thing you hear each day, they can help to put you in a good mood. Make sure to pick an alarm sound that is appealing to you, but does not make you want to go back to sleep. For instance - I could never select the sound of waves gently lapping onto the shore. It's too relaxing, and would not wake me up.

• Wash your face! There is nothing like a splash of cold water to shock the system. Scrub your face gently with warm water and face sensitive soap, and then finish off the cleanse with a blast of cold water. It'll wake you up for sure. Taking a shower does the same thing. There's something magical about agua that refreshes and invigorates me. 
• Workout. If you've got time for a quick morning session of squats, push-ups, and Russian Twists, roll out that yoga mat and get to town! You don't need a gym membership or any equipment to get your blood pumping; all that is required is your own body. Engage in some body weight training, yoga, Pilates, or HIIT as soon as possible during the day. You'll feel more energized, focused, and prepared for anything the day throws at you. Like extra math homework. Ugh. Additionally, you won't be able to talk yourself out of working out. It'll already be done, leaving plenty of time for work, school, family, friends, Fortnite, or whatever else brings value to your life.
• Plan a breakfast that you are excited for. We, as humans, all seek a purpose in life. If your purpose for waking up each morning is the promise of a excellent work out, a fun new outfit, or a satiating breakfast, the more power to you! I know my breakfasts are always an incentive to get going every day: whether it be a new Super Berry Smoothie or an omelette with homemade green chile, a yummy meal always boosts my enthusiasm to avoid the snooze button.

• Don't press snooze, and go to bed at a reasonable time! It sounds hard to banish the snooze button, but I promise that if you make a habit out of it, you'll be up and running in no time. Don't let a pesky little button control your life! Finally, make sure you are getting enough sleep. "While sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person, most healthy adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. Children and teens need even more. And despite the notion that our sleep needs decrease with age, most older people still need at least 7 hours of sleep" ("Sleep Needs"). Trust me - Netflix is not more important than sleep. Yes, that murder mystery is fascinating, but you need to be rested for your English test. A show, unfortunately, will not help get you through school, work, social situations, or, ultimately, life.

Okay, everyone! Are you ready to jump out of bed tomorrow morning like someone has set your underwear on fire? I sure hope so - plenty of sleep is so crucial to success.

Sweet dreams!

- Maya

Photo by Ramesh Casper on Unsplash, Photo by Amogh Manjunath on Unsplash, 

Photo by mr lee on Unsplash, Photo by John-Mark Smith on Unsplash,

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash