How to Wake Up Without an Alarm Clock
Ever had a morning you woke up late because you swatted your well-meaning alarm clock away? Ever wish you can just do away with alarm clocks for good? Here are some surprising tips and tricks on how to wake up without an alarm clock-and on time!
Sleeping and Waking Habits
Have a fixed bedtime and sleeping hours. This may seem like a childlike way to go about things, but it does train your body to get up at the same time everyday. Ideally, this step is paired with having enough hours of sleep so your body will feel energized and not groggy when it’s time to get up.
Like any schedule, don’t ruin your sleeping schedule by taking errant naps during the day. This could confuse your inner sleep schedule and throw you off in the mornings.
When you wake up, make it a point to get up as soon as you feel your eyes open. Many people have become late because they doze off for “five more minutes” upon waking up.
Don’t drink anything caffeinated. Avoid energy drinks or anything that will wind you up and rob you of your sleep.
Train your body to wake up without an alarm clock gradually. For example, you use the alarm clock for seven times a week, but next week, lessen it to six times a week. Follow steps one to four to further train your body to get up without depending on the alarm clock.
Mind Over Matter
Before going to bed, check the clock what time you will probably be asleep.
Calculate the number of hours of sleep you will get. Once you are tucked into bed, tell yourself the number of hours that you will get of sleep. Tell it to yourself out loud, and not just in your head.
You should then tell yourself that you should be up at the time you should be up. Particularly religious people like to “talk” to their angels or pray to saints to help them get up in time in the morning.
Be totally relaxed before drifting off to sleep. Like caffeine, stressful thoughts can wind you up unnecessarily and rob you of your sleep.
Bodily Sensations
Drink a tall glass of water before sleeping. Ever woke up with an urgent need to go to the toilet? Your need to pee in the morning can be your natural alarm clock.
waking up
Sleep where morning light can hit your face. The warmth and light of the morning sun can immediately boost you into wakefulness.
Ambient sounds such as vehicles passing by, an alarm radio, the TV turning on schedule, can all be different versions of the alarm clock that will catch your ear and wake you up.
Change your room’s temperature. If you use an air conditioner or a timed electric fan, you can schedule it to turn itself off an hour before you wake up. The change in temperature will call your attention and can shake you from wakefulness.
Exercise before going to sleep. It may sound like a bad idea, but exercising can actually help you relax and sleep easier. You’ll find that you will have no problem getting up in the morning. You’ll actually feel more refreshed and less groggy.
It can’t be stressed enough that you need to be fully relaxed before going to sleep. If you’ve been having an uncomfortable sleep, check the things that may have caused discomfort: Is the mattress uncomfortable? Is the room stinky? Try to find a way to maximize your comfort during your sleeping hours to avoid waking up at odd hours of the night.
Keep in mind that these steps are useful for people who have fixed sleeping hours. People who need to be on call at odd hours of the night will have to depend on alarm clock to be awake for the appropriate time.