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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask you for tips on how to get up early??

149 replies

Pariswhenitdrizzles · 19/06/2017 01:07

Hi everyone.

This might sound a bit rubbish (or lazy), but I find it really hard to get up in the morning.

Please could you give me your tips on how to get up early in the morning (around 7ish, for example) but still feel well-rested and have a good night's sleep?

Thanks very much in advance :)

OP posts:
Suprasegmental · 19/06/2017 13:13

No alcohol, no blue light (phones, iPads, TVs etc), a realistic bed time (8 hours before getting up with the aim of 7 hours sleep.

A single alarm and a mind set to get out of bed as soon as you hear it.

kaytee87 · 19/06/2017 13:16

God 7am would be a lie in for me.

No screens for an hour before bed
No electronics in bedroom
Go to bed at the same time every night
Go to bed earlier
Get up as soon as your alarm goes
Open your curtains as soon as you get up

This should be the easiest time of year to get up as it's so bright in the morning.

Merakcat · 19/06/2017 13:33

Are you still in bed OP? Grin Envy

Giddyaunt18 · 19/06/2017 13:37

I find it easy in the summer as it's bright. I get up at 6.45 when alarm goes off, never snooze. I do go to bed by 10.30, sleep by 11 usually. I was a nightmare before kids but years of early starts at 5am gradually retrains you.

redexpat · 19/06/2017 13:39

I have a wake up light alarm clock. I make a flask of tea the night before and take it to bed with me.

PickAChew · 19/06/2017 13:42

Yes to being in bed before 1am!

I'm not an natural early riser. I'm quite the night owl and one of those people who appears to have a body clock of longer than 24 hours. I have plenty of 1am bedtimes, but the key for me is to be up at the same time at the weekends as weekdays. If that means I've only had 4-5 hours sleep, then so be it - if anything that makes me get to sleep a little easier the following night. It doesn't work for me to have a super early night. If I'm in bed at 10, then I'm restless from about 3-5am then end up more tired the next day. That's quite common for us night owls. The biggest enemy for me of getting a decent night's sleep is having a lie in, the morning before, though!

Clalpolly · 19/06/2017 13:42

When I had to do really early starts (4 ish ) I used a teasmaid. Awesome. Forget the old biddy aspect and revel in the waking up to a lovely cup of tea. Milk in a flask which managed even in weather like this.

skyzumarubble · 19/06/2017 14:22

Go to bed earlier! 1am is way too late.

7am isn't really early either!

Westray · 19/06/2017 14:27

I get up at 6am every morning- even weekends.

If you are tired at 7am you are not getting t o bed early enough.

PigletJohn · 19/06/2017 15:42

I used to have a coffee machine with timer.

To prevent the milk going off overnight I used to freeze it in the mugs beforehand.

All my mugs cracked and the bottom fell out.

I think you could probably do it in an ice-cube tray though, and a little plastic jug with a cover.

BertieBotts · 19/06/2017 15:53

Just buy some uht milk :o

For people saying just do it, it shouldn't be that hard, it isn't helpful to read when it really is that hard. People work differently, it shouldn't be such a surprise.

Clalpolly · 19/06/2017 15:59

Uht milk makes me heave. I would rather totter downstairs to the fridge to have milk for my teasmaid. Flask is better.

Neolara · 19/06/2017 16:00

Get old. I always used to struggle to wake up. Now I'm ancient, I'm awake and raring to go at 7am every day.

Clalpolly · 19/06/2017 16:41

That's true, Neo. Your bladder will probably sort it for you with age. Not helpful. Grin

7461Mary18 · 19/06/2017 17:05

I et up at 6. I am usually asleep by 10 and certainly in bed by then. I have nothing electronic in the bed room at all, not even a mobile, except I do have a digital clock. I never use an alarm to wake up ever. I don't drink alcohol or things like tea and coffee.

However most people in the country are finding it hard to sleep this week as it's so very very hot so it may just be that.

Believeitornot · 19/06/2017 17:07

Just get up as soon as the alarm goes. As soon as you think about it, then it's very difficult. Roll literally out if you have to.

CalmShambala · 19/06/2017 18:46

I am a get up at the last minute person and always run late whereas my DH gets up at 0500 and says things like "why don't you get up now and get some jobs done" Hmm

Last summer I did get up at 0500 and it was actually really lovely to sit out on the patio with a coffee in the cool before my DC got up and started demanding breakfast.

PaulDacresFeministConscience · 19/06/2017 19:13
  • Go to bed earlier.
  • Get up as soon as alarm goes off
  • No screen time just before bed - ditto no caffeine
  • Keep a routine, it will retrain your brain and body in a short time.

I don't use an alarm clock anymore, as I wake up reliably between 4:45 - 5:30. I get up at 5:30 and straight into shower, followed by coffee with a glass of water. Walk outside with the dogs for a bit of fresh air and exercise and then I'm ready to face the rest of the day! I'm normally in bed between 10 - 10:30.

Karlakitten1 · 19/06/2017 19:14

Get a toddler! 5 ish wake up every day! No lie ins then!!

tofollowtheclouds · 19/06/2017 19:28

I technically work 24 hour shifts being in the office from lunchtime until anything between 9-12pm then on call overnight and back in the office again for 5.30am until lunch time. I find getting up 20 mins earlier than I need to regardless of the amount of sleep I get helps as I then have time to sit quietly with a coffee and the news before I actually have to go to work (a little afternoon kip helps when I get home too)

MargaretCavendish · 19/06/2017 19:39

I don't know if anyone's said this yet but 7am isn't that early and people with children sometimes find the children wake them up

HollyBollyBooBoo · 19/06/2017 19:44

7ish - that's a lie in here!

It's born out of necessity surely? If you have to get up early to be somewhere then you'll do it. If not, why worry.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 19/06/2017 19:49

Have a start time at at work of 7:30, an hours drive away, for at least a year. My alarm used to go off at 5:50 😩 NOT fun in January.

After that, anything else will feel like a lie in.

yorkshapudding · 19/06/2017 19:58

I never understand these posts. You just get on and do it, surely? Confused
I don't think there's any mystery, or any magic formula to waking up early feeling wonderfully refreshed. The thing is you just have to get on with it whether you feel refreshed or not.

I have a friend who always says she "can't do early mornings" and "some people just can't function that early" etc. But that's nonsense. If she had a job to go to she would simply have to do it.

Huldra · 19/06/2017 20:04

I find it easier to get up quite a bit earlier than I need so I have at least half an hour on the sofa with a cup of tea.
My kids find the same and get up at 6am on school days. One doesn't need to leave the house until 8.30 but enjoys coming down and having a doze on the sofa watching tv before he even has to get breakfast.