8 Surprisingly Easy Tips To Wake Up Early In The Morning
When I was a teenager, every time I met someone who called themselves a morning person, I’d grab my notepad and beg them to share their best tips to wake up early.
I was desperate for something—anything—that could help me stop hating the sound of my alarm.
My phone just kept blaring without making a difference, my mom’s shouts barely registered in my sleepy head, and even the threat of being late to school didn’t stop me from hitting snooze over and over.
If you also dread getting up early, I know exactly how you feel. It’s hard to feel excited about mornings when you’d rather stay buried under the covers.
But here’s the thing—none of those morning people ever gave me the magic answer I was hoping for.
Eventually, college ended, and I found myself living alone, forced to figure out mornings on my own.
It took months of trial and error, but I finally discovered some real, practical tips to wake up early that actually worked for me.
Now I wake up as early as 5 a.m., and honestly, I’ve never felt more productive or alive.
The best part? These tips aren’t just for me—they can help anyone, including you. That’s why I’m excited to share them here.
If you’re short on time, feel free to save this post and come back to it when you can.
Waking up at 5 a.m. doesn’t have to feel impossible anymore.
Here are 8 easy tips to wake up early with a fresh, happy mindset.
Let’s get into it!
8 Practical Tips To Wake Up Early In The Morning
1. Place Your Alarm Clock Far From Your Bed
If you’re still using your phone as an alarm, you’re making it too easy to hit snooze and roll over.
Instead, get a good old-fashioned alarm clock that’s loud enough to wake you properly. Place it on a table far enough away that you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
If you still find yourself crawling back under the covers, try setting multiple alarms—say, at 5:30, 5:45, and 6:00 if your goal is to wake at six.
It might seem annoying at first, but I actually enjoy waking up early, turning off my alarm, and realizing I can catch a few more minutes of sleep before the final one goes off. It makes waking up feel less abrupt and more manageable.
Related: 15 Everyday Habits That Will Make You Smarter
2. Stretch Before You Even Stand Up
One of the easiest ways to shake off sleepiness is to move your body.
Even while lying in bed, I start with simple stretches—like a child’s pose or cat-cow stretch. Sometimes I even stay under the covers and do a quick twist or forward bend.
These little movements wake up your body and mind at the same time. Once you make this a habit, you won’t want to skip it.
Some stretches I recommend are child’s pose, downward dog, cobra stretch, or just sitting cross-legged and breathing deeply for a minute.
3. Let There Be Light
The longer you stay in the dark after waking up, the more tempted you’ll feel to fall back asleep.
As soon as I finish my stretches, I turn on the lights and open the blinds. Natural light is the best wake-up call for your body and brain.
If you can, step outside or at least catch a glimpse of the sunrise. Not only does it help wake you up, but it also puts you in a positive mood to start the day.
4. Exercise At The Right Time
Daily exercise helps you sleep better at night, which makes waking up early so much easier.
If you haven’t been exercising, now is the time to start—not just for your health, but also for your morning routine.
For me, evening workouts worked best because they helped me fall asleep on time. But morning workouts are great too because they give you an extra reason to get up early.
Try both and see what feels better for you.
5. Cool Down With An Ice Roller
If you still find yourself crawling back into bed even after getting up, this tip is for you.
An ice roller can wake up your skin, freshen your face, and snap you out of that morning fog.
I keep mine in the fridge overnight and roll it on my face as soon as I’m up. Not only does it feel refreshing, but it also helps reduce puffiness and gives you a nice glow.
It’s like a mini spa treatment that wakes you right up.
6. Plan Your Morning The Night Before
Having a clear reason to wake up early makes it much easier to actually get out of bed.
Before going to sleep, I write down what I want to do in the morning. It could be a workout, a project, or even just time to enjoy coffee and read.
Writing it down gives my morning purpose and keeps me motivated to stick to my early wake-up time.
Even just a simple to-do list or a few positive notes in your journal can make a big difference.
7. Focus On Sleep Quality
It’s not just about how many hours you sleep—it’s about how well you sleep.
I invested in good bedding, started wearing a sleep mask, and even got a small humidifier. These little things helped me sleep deeply and wake up feeling rested.
Your bed should feel comfortable and clean, so make sure to wash your sheets regularly and replace pillows or mattresses if they’re worn out.
Better sleep at night makes early mornings much easier.
8. Make Mornings Something To Look Forward To
One of the best tips to wake up early is to make your mornings enjoyable.
I used to think mornings were all about rushing to get things done. But now I slow down, write in my journal, sip coffee by the window, and sometimes listen to a podcast while getting ready.
You can write affirmations, pray, count your blessings, or just take a few quiet minutes for yourself.
When you make mornings feel peaceful and meaningful, it’s much easier to wake up and actually enjoy them.
Use These Tips To Wake Up Early
I was never a natural morning person, but these habits helped me change that.
With a little creativity and patience, you can make mornings work for you too.
If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck, start with just one or two of these tips and build from there.
Have your own tips to wake up early? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you!
