Here's how to get out of bed when it's cold and dark, according to an expert

There's nothing worse than waking up, rubbing your eyes and realizing that you have to get out of bed. The worst part is when it's cold and dark outside, especially if you are not a morning person!

The first thing most people do in the morning is roll over and hit the snooze button, but what if you could get up and out of bed easily instead?

Luckily, we received expert insight and advice from Martin Seeley, the CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay on why it’s harder to get up on a cold, dark morning and how to easily get out of bed.

1. Make sure your alarm is soothing and calm

If you’re struggling to wake up in the cold, the last thing you want to do is set a super loud alarm which is going to scare the living daylights out of you in the morning. Instead, you should have something calming and relaxing. This means you get woken up gradually, rather than being bolted awake.

2. Never press snooze on your alarm

This is because a five-to-ten-minute snooze time only gives you enough time to go into ‘light sleep’ as it waits to enter the deep sleep state, otherwise known as REM. Your body is, therefore, put into a fight or flight mode, which triggers a response that increases your blood pressure and heartbeat as you wake up, leaving you on high alert.

3. Open your curtains as soon as you wake up

Light is the most important external factor affecting sleep. It plays a central role in regulating your body’s internal clock, otherwise known as your circadian rhythm. This signals when to be alert and when to rest. You should, therefore, open the curtains and blinds as soon as you wake up.

4. Drink a glass of water for an instant mood boost

Keeping hydrated is not only proven to be energy-boosting, but it can boost your metabolism, too. Even mild dehydration can leave you feeling sleepy and tired, whilst negatively disrupting your mood.

5. Complete a 30-minute workout in the morning

Exercising can improve your sleep quality and duration of sleep, whilst a healthy sleep-wake cycle ensures more strength and endurance when working out.

6. Always eat breakfast to give yourself an energy boost

A balanced breakfast that is adequate in protein and healthy fats can help kickstart your morning off with an energy boost. Consume protein from eggs, plain Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese or lean meats. Healthy fats can be found in avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds, and nut butter.

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