5 Simple Habits to Become a Morning Person
Becoming a morning person can be hard if you're not naturally inclined that way. It can seem impossible to you that others are ready to leap into action the minute their 6 a.m. alarm goes off, while you're stuck drooling into your pillow. Well, impossible it is not!
I've done a lot of research on sleep, and I’ve narrowed down the 5 best tips to help you transform your mornings, and with them, your life.
5 Easy Habits to Become a Morning Person
Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.- Thomas Dekker
1. Water Is Key
Dehydration is a killer. It leaves you sluggish while you're sitting at your desk, fatigued while you're walking around, and so stuck to your bed that you're unable to get up. Think about how long you normally go without a drink of water by the time you wake up. 10 hours, maybe 12? Of course you're going to be dehydrated! Is it any wonder you get the overwhelming urge to stay in bed?
Always make sure to have a glass of water before going to bed, and see your mornings transformed.
2. Break the Fast and Fuel Up
Again, think about how long it’s been since you’ve eaten when you wake up. Your body needs fuel for its fire to get it up and ready. Always have your favourite breakfast on hand to enjoy first thing in the morning. Break your fast and give your body the energy it needs to kickstart your day.
3. Get a Proper Alarm Clock
Phones should not be allowed near the bed. They can interrupt your sleep if you let them beep throughout the night, and staring at the screen before bed inhibits the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Besides, who hasn’t turned off the alarm on their phone in the morning, only to begin checking emails and sinking into the pool of stress that can ensue from bad news, something going wrong at work, or bills coming up? No one needs to start their day like that.
Want to feel less tired in the morning? Try to get up gently. The best alarm clock to use for this is the Philips Wake-Up Light. It allows you to wake more naturally and gently by gradually turning on the light. It also has many selectable sounds and is recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.
Keep your phone away from your bed and buy yourself a proper alarm clock to create a distraction-free zone made for sleeping.
4. Have a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Most people require 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Some need more or less, but it’s important to find what works for you and stick to it. Having a regular sleep schedule allows your body to get into a rhythm. This is how you begin to wake up before your alarm feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
For many of us though, the hard part is going to bed. As grown-ups, no one really wants to have a bedtime, but setting yourself a window of time in which you always go to bed will produce staggering effects on the way you view mornings.
5. Establish a Night-Time Routine
This takes us nicely into the final point about setting up a night-time routine. In addition to having the bedtime window, you want to establish a regular routine that allows you to wind down so you can fall asleep easily. Personally, I find that reading fiction is the absolute best way to wind down in bed. After an hour of reading a captivating story, my mind is cleared of all worries and my eyelids are heavy and ready to drop. Just what the doctor ordered to fall soundly asleep.
If you try only one of these things, have a glass of water before bed tonight and see how much fresher you feel in the morning. Then as a bonus, have some water as soon as you wake up and you will be raring to go!
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.