Well you can get that hour, or even more, by simply getting up earlier!

You can use this time for a workout, writing, prayer, or some important side-project that you don't have the energy for later in the evening.

As someone who has chronically struggled to get up with my alarm, here's a special technique I've developed to help me get out of bed at the right time!

1. Set one alarm ten minutes BEFORE you actually want to wake up

This can be on your phone on your nightstand - it just needs to make you open your eyes in bed.

2. Set another alarm for when you ACTUALLY want to wake up

You can use your phone, but if you really struggle to wake up, this is best set on an old school alarm clock that you plug in somewhere that you cannot reach from your bed.

This requires you to physically get out of bed to shut it off.

3. When the first alarm goes off, START BREATHING DEEPLY and/or HOLD YOUR BREATH

The breathing oxygenates your brain and starts to wake you up. If you got enough sleep, this alone is usually enough to get you out of bed within a few minutes.

If you DIDN'T get enough sleep, then that's where the breath-hold comes in. If you hold your breath as long as you can (don't hurt yourself or anything, just make it uncomfortable) it will send a spike of adrenaline through your system waking you up even further.

4. Turn your brain on by beginning to think about the day

Start imagining yourself up, dressed, and going about your day. Imagine how good it would feel to already have crushed your morning routine. If you have something you are looking forward to or want to take care of, think of that as well.

5. When your second alarm goes off hold your breath till you're out of bed!

If you aren't out of bed already, then once that second alarm goes off play a game where "there's no more air in bed."

Just hold your breath and your body will produce that natural adrenaline spike and you can use that to throw the covers back and get out.

UYAP! (Unleash Your Apex Potential)

Mark Queppet