Tell Yourself
Many people make the mistake of complaining non-stop about how badly they slept right after waking up early. They focus on feeling tired and just want to crash as soon as they get home (which rarely happens). When you think like this, you reinforce in your brain that you’re completely drained. Next time, try the opposite!
As soon as you get up, no matter how sleepy you feel, say out loud that you’re well rested. Really try to believe it! And don’t mention to others how far from fresh you actually feel. Repeating something to yourself enough times helps you start to believe it, and your brain will pick up on the idea that you slept more than you did.
Active Rest Anytime
You can even use this trick at work! Active rest means gently moving parts of your body while sitting. Start with your hands: clench them into fists for about 15 seconds, then release.
Repeat this two more times, then do the same with your toes, calves, belly, and glutes. Moving your body a little during breaks can boost your mood. You’ll feel more refreshed and focused in just a few minutes. Plus, it helps lower your stress levels, which is a win at work!
Play With the Light
Sunlight has a big impact on your circadian rhythm; your body naturally links darkness with sleep time and light with waking up.
So convince your brain that you have to get out of bed even if you slept little. At night, when you go to sleep, don’t close the blackout curtains or lower the blinds. Just leave the curtains open so when the sun rises, the light naturally wakes you up. Even if you went to bed at 3 a.m., you’ll still get up when the room fills with light. That’s why sleeping in a dark room on weekends can make even ten hours of sleep feel insufficient.
