How to Adjust to an Earlier Sleep Schedule

Summer is coming to a close, and with that comes getting up earlier. Whether that is running the kids around and making sure they are at school on time or going back to regular work hours, you may need to adjust your sleep schedule to start waking up earlier. Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as going to bed earlier, since you won’t be as tired. However, we have some tips and tricks to help you adjust to an earlier sleep schedule.

• Focus on just doing it. Many times people tell you to take things slow and steady and adjust your wake up times in 15 minute intervals, but that may not be the best option. Instead, you should focus on the time you need to get up at and just do it. Take the plunge and just adjust by two hours.
• Stay off your phone and tablet. It’s pretty common knowledge at this point that blue lights are bad for your sleep pattern, so it’s important that you don’t look at a screen with blue lights for at least an hour before bedtime. Instead, read a book or just enjoy a cup of tea, you’ll sleep better.
• Create a good sleep routine. When you know you need a good night’s sleep, it can be difficult to get that good night of sleep, so make sure your nighttime routine helps to relax you. Read a book while laying in bed, have a cup of herbal tea beforehand, turn on a sound machine, whatever helps you to feel relaxed and sleepy. Then you’ll fall asleep easier and without as many worries about getting the necessary hours of sleep.
• Maintain a schedule. It can be difficult to go to bed at the same time each night, but if you start to adhere to a schedule, you may find that the benefits are you beginning to get tired around that time each night. It may mean a couple of days of being tired, but if you try some relaxation tricks, you’ll be able to enjoy an earlier night’s sleep.

Adjusting to an earlier sleep schedule won’t necessarily be the easiest task, but it is most certainly worth it when you get your body used to going to bed and waking up at an earlier time.