Do you struggle to wake up in the morning?
Well folks, Christmas is officially over! As we head into the new year and a few more dark wintery months, mornings are going to pretty tough (they are for me anyway).
Those dark mornings make getting up and out of bed that little bit harder, because your body really believes it’s still night time, and can be a lot slower to wake up (we’ve all been there, right?)
Anyway, I decided to do a bit of research, and compile a list of some handy tips that might just wake you up a bit quicker on mornings you’re really struggling.
Worth a try anyway, right?
Coffee, naturally.
You just can’t go wrong, can you? Caffeine pumps up brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which boost your mood, spike your energy levels, and help you focus. Not a fan of coffee? That’s okay, there are a number of caffeinated drinks that do a similar job. Opt for a cup of black or green tea. They have caffeine plus other healthy compounds. Plus, they’ll warm you up on those cold winter mornings!
Exercise.
We know it’s probably the LAST thing you want to do when your roll out of bed, but it works (trust me!) Exercise in the morning can get your blood pumping and rev up your nervous system. You’ll feel more alert in the moment — and hours later, too. If you work out first thing in the morning, you’ll also sleep better in the evening.
Light it up!
Okay this one couldn’t be easier, and it really works. As soon as you wake up, open the curtains or blinds. Or step outside. Are you getting up before the sun? That’s okay – just pop on the lights in your room. A light-up alarm clock may also help, plus it may be less aggressive than a noisy alarm clock. If you struggle with morning brain fog (guilty), try a light box (or sunlamp). It can lift your mood and help you feel more awake. Light gets your brain going and keeps your body clock on track.
Iced water lads.
If your coffee supply has run out, or if you just want something a bit more refreshing, you might want to pour yourself a cold (very cold) glass of water. An ice cold glass of water will trigger your adrenaline and boost the blood flow to your brain, all good things when you’re seconds away from falling asleep at your desk, eh?
Minty fresh.
So it turns out mint is a great way to wake up the brain. A strong smell of mint actually stimulates the hippocampus area of your brain which controls mental clarity and memory. The scent triggers you to wake up and pay attention. In a study conducted by The University of Cincinnati, it was found that using peppermint in a room of test-takers boosted alertness and concentration. So consider some minty tea when you wake up, or even a chewing gum.
If you need a helping hand to wake up in the morning, we strongly suggest trying these tips!
