Don't Sleep on a Good Wake-Up

It’s amazing how the tiniest of hammers on my alarm clock can create such a monstrously irritating sound. Little hammers clacking aggravating bells and baggy-eyed set alarms on smartphones are how billions of people awake each day. Do you know that expression, ‘woke up on the wrong side of the bed’?. Well if you ask me, waking up to the drudge of an impending day and dragging your body out of bed to the tune of annoyance would put anyone in a bad mood. Innovations have tried to invigorate those dreamers who begrudgingly have a hard time integrating back into the world of the awake. From moving alarm clocks that will taunt you as you chase it to hit snooze, alarm clock mats that only shut off when you stand upon it, to clocks that demand you solve puzzles to disarm them or one that wakes you up the wafting aroma of freshly cooked bacon, the possibilities available to torment and rid yourself from procrastinatory slumber are endless. Unfortunately, I find these all gimmicks, a solution that is not adequately addressing the correct problem: the bit you do when you finally do get up.

Although the new year brings with it millions of new wishes, only a handful will actually be seen through, so it is imperative that one addresses their problems with the correct tools. Mainly, it’s a lot easier to get up when want to get up. Creating a snooze-free environment by creating a morning routine in which you enjoy can you help you resist that extra fifteen minutes of shut-eye. Before you commit yourself to some lofty goal of waking up every morning to a three-mile run or rolling out your yoga mat on the beach, remember you want to do someone that propels you out of bed, not drags you. This, I fear, is why many people are in this problem to begin with. Setting lofty goals only discourages you when you can’t meet your ideal self; save the runs for lunch or dinner. Have a favourite show you’ve been binging? Maybe allow yourself to watch one episode a day but it has to be while eating breakfast. Always liked cooking but found yourself lugging overnight oats with you to work every day as you can’t find the time in the morning? Reward yourself with a proper breakfast and while doing it some minutes of that podcast you like. Heck, even keeping your phone away from your bed and only permitting yourself to check it after doing some morning tasks could do it. Simply said, make getting up something that excites; you may find yourself going to bed earlier and waking up earlier if that’s the case.

Having an activity that you enjoy to propel you out of bed in the morning is great and all, but the crucial part is that it’s an activity you enjoy. If you set yourself a regiment too strict or a certain activity is losing its excitement for you, don’t be hesitant to swap it for something novel that inspires that drive to wake up. Perhaps a certain show is becoming a chore to watch and you’re making bad Pavlovian connections, try that new book you wanted to buy or maybe that video game you saw on sale. Although many self-improvement techniques try to veer away from gratification like you’re an incessant hedonist, the pursuit of pleasure and happiness is integral to all of our lives and used properly, can be a valuable tool in your arsenal of self-actualization.

At the end of the day, waking up should not be a hassle. We already lose one-third of our day in sacrifice for us to recharge for the other two-thirds, so make those hours count. Sleep comfortably on good mattresses and pillows, and live comfortably in a life that fits your needs and interests. Don’t miss the bus or be late for work because what are those extra 15 mins of semi-sleep going to do anyway?