Become an Early Riser by Following a Morning Power Ritual

Having to wake up early in the morning can be aFinally, sometimes you won't be tired. It's better
miserable experience. Throughout college andto just continue reading or doing a light activity
graduate school, I hated waking up anytimerather than trying to force yourself to sleep. The
before 10am. Even when I tried to change mystress will inevitably only make it harder to sleep.
ways and wake up early, it never lasted veryGo do something else.
long. It's like a weight loss diet except for sleeping.But What's the Point of Waking Early?
Eventually, I found out the necessary strategiesI spent my first week waking up at 7am or
to not just wake up early but to want to wakeearlier. But, I never wanted to get out of bed.
up early. Because, in the end, you can't fightWhat's the point?
against your body. If your deepest core does notYou need some sort of morning ritual, something
want to wake up then you are not going to waketo look forward to when you wake up.
up. Self discipline works to establish a habit butI stole this morning power ritual idea from my Tai
eventually the habit itself has to take over and beChi instructor and Tony Robbins.
its own reward.Basically, I wake up, go to the bathroom, and get
So, what did I change in order to wake up early?dressed.
- Stopped drinking coffee, tea, or caffeine in theThen, I take a walk around my apartment
eveningcomplex doing breathwalking which is based on
- Stopped watching television or using theyoga principles. This has been scientifically proven
computer 1-2 hours before bed timeto lead to increased energy, positive moods, and
- Did a relaxing activity before sleepingmental focus. I can tell you, I feel happy and
- Stopped trying to sleep unless I was alreadyready to take on the world every morning now.
tired and sleepyYou inhale through the nose four, short quick
Drinking coffee, tea, or caffeine in the eveningbreaths. You exhale through the mouth four,
and then trying to sleep early is sending mixedshort quick breaths. Usually, I do this in connection
signals to your body. I usually have a cup of teawith my walking steps.
every morning and try to avoid coffee andInitially, you may have a hard time concentrating
caffeine as much as possible. You want to starton anything else but following this type of
off the day strong and progressively lose yourbreathing method. Over time though, it will
energy until you fall asleep effortlessly at night.become second nature.
Television screens and computer monitors emit aOnce I got my rhythm down, I start to think
bright light which signals to your brain that it's stillabout what I'm grateful for in my life as well as
day time. Your body adjusts itself according to itswhat I must accomplish today.
surroundings. So, if you're in a brightly lit area orThen, I say affirmations to myself like, "I Love
starring a bright screen, you will have a hard timeMy Life" or "I Can Do Anything".
going to sleep. In fact, I stringed Christmas LightsFinally, you can end with optional meditation, tai
on my wall for soft night time lighting instead ofchi, yoga, or exercise. Or just go take a shower,
my regular, apartment bright room light.eat breakfast, and start your day.
These days, I usually meditate, write in a dailyEither way, you will feel happy, light, and
journal, or read a book before going to sleep. Thisempowered.
is a gentle way for your brain to unwind and slowThese days, most people don't spend any time
down. I also find that if I write down all myjust with themselves anymore. By starting your
worries and thoughts in my journal and meditateday this way, you setup the positive momentum
for a while, I end up with a much more fulfillingfor the entire day.
sleep and actually require less sleep.