Not a morning person? And want to become one? Thinking of how to set your mind ready for the early hours of the day without lazing up around or procrastinating? Then these helpful tips are for you.

Habits makes change possible by freeing us from decision-making. – Gretchen Rubin

1. Plan your day the night before: I have not always been a morning person but as I grew older, life responsibilities and obligations came calling and I realized there was only one way to keep up with it all which was by waking up early. And one of the best ways I achieved that was by planning my day the night before (having a night schedule).

Before the day runs out or before going to bed each night, I would write out the list of things I need to get done the following day giving a particular time frame alongside it, I also try to pack up the clothes, bag, shoes that I will put on. This often leaves me with a feeling of guilt and mindset that often serves as a reminder, pointing me to the fact that I have tons of things to do the next day.

Therefore, soon as my alarm rings in the morning and I’m tempted to fall back to sleep, I do remember all the things lined up all ready for me to do and eventually I wake up forcefully.

Early risers don’t think about getting up—they just do it. – Anonymous

2. Stop hitting snooze: This sounds pretty easy until you fall a victim. Hitting snooze to get more sleep actually has a side effect: It makes you groggier by interrupting your body’s natural sleep cycles.

Honestly speaking, I was formerly a victim of hitting snooze on my alarm but what worked for me most was when I started placing my phone far away from my bed, so I can get out of my bed to turn it off and be more likely to wake up.

When you begin the day reacting to your environment instead of proactively shaping it, you find yourself on the defensive. – Jeff Sanders

3. Read or listen to something positive in the morning: I read this online and I found out it actually works. On those days when I find it quite difficult to get up in the morning, I play really loud, cool and uplifting songs or worship. I also read a few of my favorite blogs and posts. This helps me focus and stay really relaxed so I can easily think and meditate.

Select what means something to you.

4. Eat healthy breakfast: You don’t take a pack of sweet or bottle of Fanta in the morning and expect to function properly. Eating a very healthy meal in the morning boosts brainpower. “After sleeping all night, our metabolism and blood sugar are at their lowest; we need a healthy breakfast to re-energize us,” says Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D, a Washington D.C. based nutrition and exercise expert.

Her breakfast of champions consists of a protein, a colorful fruit or veggie, and a whole grain (Think: Yogurt topped with fresh blueberries topped with granola and chia seeds. Or simply browse healthy breakfast recipes).

Your breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

5. Sleep early: Well you and I know how important this should be. It’s one of the surest ways of becoming a morning person. Getting enough sleep during the night makes getting up early easier.

Early to bed, early to rise.

I hope you find these tips really helpful as that’s what my blog always aims at achieving. And remember, you don’t have to think of getting up, you just have to do it!