I've never been a natural early riser—even on Christmas mornings, I'd shuffle sleepily to the tree, eyes half-closed, as we opened presents. But research shows waking early boosts happiness and success. A Harvard Business Review study found morning people more likely to agree with proactive statements like, "I spend time identifying long-term goals for myself" and "I feel responsible for getting things done."
As a former night owl building better habits, I challenged myself to become an early riser over 30 days. While not a full early bird yet, my mornings are now far more productive and enjoyable. Here's how you can make the most of those early hours too.
Related: What happened when I woke up at 4:30 a.m. for 30 days
1. Build a consistent nighttime routine.
Success starts the night before. It's not just about going to bed early—create a ritual that turns waking up into an energizing start. I prep breakfast ahead: chopping veggies for a veggie omelet and refrigerating them reduces morning decisions and promotes healthier choices over rushed granola bars.
Productivity expert Helene Segura recommends listing three next-day priorities before bed—a "mind-clearing" technique that improves sleep and focus. I prioritize chores and hobbies like laundry, reading bookmarked articles, or holiday shopping, saving work for later.
Consistency is key: routines signal your body it's time to wind down. Mine includes breakfast prep, my list, and a 30-minute show episode before lights out.
2. Gradually shift your wake-up time.
Don't shock your system—adjust bedtime and alarm incrementally. For 24 days, I advanced both by 5 minutes daily, reaching 10 p.m. bedtime and 6 a.m. wake-up. Bedtime was toughest without Netflix or scrolling, but it made mornings effortless.
Go slower if needed: 1 minute daily ensures sustainability. Pro tip: No snoozing—plant your feet on the floor after the first alarm using sheer willpower.
3. Skip the scroll.
With your alarm on your phone, resist checking social media or email in bed. An hour of scrolling wastes your early advantage and comparing to filtered lives kills motivation. Use this sacred time for self-care, not the world's noise.
4. Exercise first thing.
Morning workouts set a positive tone and rev metabolism before the day derails plans. After 20 days, I added gentle neighborhood walks or low-intensity yoga—no gym required. Science backs it: early movement ensures consistency.
Start small, stay patient—progress builds day by day. You've got this.
Related: 11 science-backed ways to become a morning person
