As someone who’d rather sleep the sleep than walk the walk, evolving into a morning person amidst the lockdown was a huge transformation for me. I’m the kind of person who has to set three alarms to wake up any time before 9am—two next to my bed and one all the way across the room—although there have been days when I switched them off, all in my sleep, and headed straight back to bed with zero guilt and absolutely no consideration for future-me who would have to look personable for the camera (just the Zoom one) in an unnecessary rush.
So what changed? Well, nothing really. I didn't make a New Year's resolution or have a near-death experience, and no, even the lockdown didn’t rattle me. I did turn thirty, though, and much to my surprise, after the fun but uncertain 20s, this new decade seems steady, secure and comfortable. With the backing of emotional security and mental well-being, I decided it was time I respected my physical self and gave it the necessary shakedown. I decided to join a yoga class.
Now mind you, this is the same yoga class (now online, thanks to COVID) that I have been dodging and procrastinating on for the past year. I’ve had numerous excuses to not attend—I’d have to wake up at 6am, it was too cold, the alarm didn’t ring, my notorious internet—I can keep going. What did the trick? Determination. I laid out my yoga clothes, did a trial Zoom call, set my three alarms and went to bed early in anticipation.
It has now been six weeks, and I haven’t missed a single class; in fact, I wake up every day before my alarm, excited for yoga. A conscious nudge is all it took for this lazy girl to be a morning person. In addition to willpower, it takes 21 days to form a habit. Now that I have a set morning routine, here are a few pointers that take minimal effort:
1) Drink water
Hydration is key; there are several great reasons for this, but for those who need a reminder—a sharp mind and supple skin are two of the most tempting ones, so I start early. The very first thing I do right after waking up is drink room-temperature water, to hydrate myself after the hours of sleep. I started with one glass and have now pushed myself to two big glasses to jump-start the system, speed up metabolism and make me feel energised.
2) Meditate or exercise
For me, yoga works as the perfect balance between both; meditation and exercise. It is the ideal morning activity to slowly ease into the day. On some very optimistic days, I try to push myself for a short run after. For a quicker routine, a combination of stretches and breathing exercises will do the trick. Thanks to my yoga-enthusiast parents, I first practiced asanas as a preschooler; and after all these years the lazy girl in me still looks forward to ‘Shavasana’ with the same passion. I get up from yoga feeling calm, refreshed, and happy. This sets the tone for the rest of my day.
3) Give yourself a little me-time
One of my favourite morning activities is to water the several plants I have in my garden. I usually do this while simultaneously documenting the new blooms, feeding the strays, listening to music, sipping on a hot cup of lemongrass-ginger tea and making sure to catch the morning sun to stock up on some Vitamin D. The lockdown has made me a stellar multitasker. You could utilise this time to catch up on current events or a TV show, flip through a few chapters of your book or indulge in your hobbies.
4) Have breakfast
Other than drinking water, this would be an essential morning activity to follow. There is a reason breakfast is considered the most important meal—it breaks the overnight fast and helps replenish the necessary nutrients in the body. A healthy and balanced breakfast gives me ample energy and prevents me from overeating through the rest of the day, especially since the fridge is now a very short walk away.
5) Create the right nighttime routine
One of the easiest and most underrated tweaks to incorporate into your lifestyle is getting a good night’s sleep. I keep away from screens and take a print book to bed instead; this gives my brain time to make the transition into relax-mode as I clock myself in for six-eight hours of slumber. On some days, I draw myself a soothing warm water bath and use fragranced lotion after as a special treat. Quick showers, scented candles, and calming music can help you decompress after a long day.
Waking up early has only advantages. It allows me sufficient time to ease into work mode without stressing or rushing. On weekends I grant myself a break to relax without any fixed schedule. All things considered, it is absolutely possible to slowly metamorphose into a morning person.
Also read:
How to work out in a small space while you're in lockdown
Zoom workouts and group challenges: How four women are putting their fitness first during lockdown
