Night Owl, No More

Hoo Hoo: We all have this person in our life — they wake up at the crack of dawn and somehow manage to get a run in and walk the dog before we’ve even had our first cup of coffee. And to rub it in, they’re cheery. There’s a temptation to write that all off as genetic (there is such a thing as a chronotype), but for most of us, when we go to sleep and when we wake up has more to do with our habits.

The Benefits: People who wake up earlier have been linked with better mood and sleep quality; morning types also score higher on proactivity surveys.

How to Do It: 

– Slow down your evenings — unplug from TV, your phone and computer earlier in the evening to allow yourself to wind down. 
– Give yourself a reason — waking up early is easier if you have something waiting for you in the morning like a run, a gym class or just some quiet time for yourself. 
– Lighten up — getting natural light first thing in the morning helps regulate your circadian rhythm.
– Track your mood — keep tabs of how you’re feeling in the afternoon. Over time you’ll likely see improved energy and mood.

Keep in Mind: Don’t expect yourself to become a morning person immediately. Move your wake-up time back by 15-30 minutes every few days. This gives your sleep schedule time to shift.