We’ve all been there: your alarm goes off, you want to hit snooze over and over again, and even if you had a solid eight hours the night before, the only thing you want to do is go back to sleep. I hate feeling drowsy in the mornings. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to drowsiness: stress, hormones, anxiety, circadian rhythms being off, and more. Here are a three super simple things you can do in the AM to kick that feeling and get on with your day. The best part is that this system doesn’t require tools or things you don’t already have at your disposal.
1. Sunlight, STAT.
It’s a simple thing, but walking outside for five minutes and allowing direct sunlight into your eyes is huge for setting your circadian rhythm and making you feel more awake. Natural sunlight is a literal signal to your body that it’s time to wake up and start the day. Nowadays, with our new work from home environment, we can go days without going outside. If you’re having trouble sleeping or waking, try adding a circadian rhythm walk into your morning routine. Don’t forget to allow the sunlight to shine directly into your eyes!
2. Ice cold shower.
Cold therapy has so many benefits, one of them being circulation. If you get your blood pumping more efficiently throughout your body, you’ll start to feel more awake. Bonus points if you switch from hot to cold, which will constrict and dilate your blood vessels, aiding in circulation. We recently purchased a cold plunge, and it’s been a game changer for my morning routine. Talk about a natural mood booster!
3. Prolong your morning coffee.
It may seem counterintuitive when you wake up sleepy to push off the thing that usually gets you going, but an early morning cup can often spike cortisol levels, causing a crash. Instead, opt for warm water with lemon, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a sprinkle of pink Himalayan sea salt to get your system moving. It will provide the energy you’re looking for without the crash. If you can, try waiting until about two hours after you’ve woken up for your first cup, or at least until you’ve had a balanced breakfast like eggs and avocado.
