How to wake up happy every morning

Last Updated on June 29, 2022 by Rebecca Huff

The first step to wakeup happy every morning is to go to bed on time every night. A consistent wake and sleep time will help to stabilize your circadian rhythms which will make it easier to get up. Stick with it, even on the weekends.  Maybe start out just trying it through the week, then add Saturday and last Sunday.

I hate being startled awake by a loud alarm clock so much that if I know one is set I will wake up repeatedly all night because my body is trying to avoid having the bejeebers scared out of me. When I was in Basic Training, I always woke up minutes before Reveille sounded. I have not used an alarm clock, as a rule, my entire life. Yes, even when I had to be at work at 7 a.m. and even when I had to take my children to school.

My husband sets like four alarms, and he wakes up frequently throughout the night. I told him if he wanted a peaceful night's sleep to shut off his alarm clock. He laughed at me. I understand. He doesn't want to be late for work. Even though I don't like to wake people up (they are always grumpy!) I told him that I would wake him before it was time to go to the gym. (we've been working out together for our health and relationship)

For a good night's sleep change your alarm

There’s nothing worse than the startlingly harsh wake-up call of a regular alarm clock. Most people nowadays use a mobile as an alarm, and if you do so, remember to turn it on airplane mode at night, so the frequencies don't disrupt your sleep patterns.

In fact, I would suggest using an app that starts out at the lowest volume and gradually gets louder. My recommendation is the Sleep Cycle App because it wakes you ever so gently.

Another way to wake up gently is to have a light alarm. These will wake you by turning on a light at the dimmest setting then gradually getting brighter until it reaches the fullest brightness. I use the Sleep by GE bulbs in my children's rooms to wake them believe me; it is a much more peaceful way to wake up than a blaring alarm clock.

If you can barely wake up with an alarm, you might test this out on the weekend to make sure that a gentle alarm works for you. Some young adults have a hard time waking during the teen years due to a shift in their biological clock.  See my post on good sleep hygiene for teens.

On a side note, someone once told me that his dad woke him by banging a metal pot with a metal spoon right next to their head in the mornings. Just hearing the story made me angry and it didn't even happen to me! Maybe it's part of my sound sensitivity, misophonia.

One of the best ways to wake up happy is using music. From a scientific aspect, it just makes sense because listening to music causes your hypothalamus to release dopamine (the feel good neurohormone) which helps you feel happy. Happy people are not grumpy people.

What other things can you do in the morning to wake up happy and keep your happy all day?

Open the curtains when you get out of bed or as soon as the sun begins to rise if you are up that early. Light therapy also works.

How about paying it forward? Most of us are happy when we have done something big or small that makes another person happy. For example, if you know your spouse prefers to have coffee in bed and you are an early riser, why not bring them a nice cup of joe? Perhaps your teenager likes to sleep in an extra twenty minutes instead of eating breakfast, why not pack a meal for them? You could even tuck a sweet note in there!

Walking the dog or cuddling with your cat can bring a smile to your face if you are a pet lover.

Another great motive for getting out of bed is logging your workout first thing in the morning! Starting your day with a win (getting out of bed and going to the gym at 5 a.m. is a huge win!) can set your mood status to AWESOME for the rest of the day!

Thank God for another day the minute you open your eyes. Take a moment to say a prayer just don't fall back asleep!

Trust me, it's just wonderful to get a good night's sleep and begin every day on a good note!