7 Surprising Tricks to Wake up Your Body (That Don’t Involve Coffee)

Real talk: there’s no greater injustice than a morning alarm decreeing it’s time for you to leave the cosy, warm sanctuary that is bed. Especially when you didn’t quite catch enough of those all-important zzzs. If you’re someone who doesn’t have this problem, we salute you. Everyone else? Here's how to wake your body up so that you’re able to haul yourself out of bed without hitting snooze.

Hydration hit

After a night of snoozing you can bet your body is crying out for water come morning. Not only does water flush out toxins, make your complexion glow and kick-start your metabolism, it’s been proven to relieve fatigue and increase alertness. In fact, research published in the journal PLOS One and funded by Danone found that drinking water can also improve your mood and make you feel less sleepy and confused. On the flipside, the research found those who don’t drink enough water experience lower levels of positive emotions and contentedness. Leave a glass of water on your bedside table and chug it when your alarm goes off, it’ll help you to stave off sleepiness. Double shot latte, who?

Chill down your shower

We’re very aware that this may lose us friends but in the interest of helping you feel full of energy in the morning, we’re saying it anyway: a cold shower will jolt you awake quicker than your alarm clock. Are you shaking your head right now? Then might we suggest you have your regular warm, comforting shower and at the very end, switch to a few seconds of cold? Your metabolic rate will get a shock, helping you to wake up and face the day.

Lights on

You know how sleep experts tell us not to be exposed to bright light at night time? It’s because lights can suppress melatonin, the hormone that helps our body drift off to sleep. Well, the same concept is at play when you want to wake your body up. Yes, if you need to wake up quick smart - let there be light. Lots of it. Either turn on your lamp or overhead light or leave your blinds open so that the natural light from the sun rising gets your body to stir.

Make a morning commitment

Did Night You promise that you’d wake up and go to the gym the next day, but Morning You decided you’d rather sleep in? We feel you. Organise to head on a walk with a friend - or if you’re not the exercising type, organise to meet a mate for an early breakfast. When you know someone else is relying on you, you’re way less likely to bail (and succumb to that rascal, Morning You). You have to admit, pancakes, a cappuccino and catching up with a friend is great incentive to haul yourself out of bed.

Meet your sleep quota

It might seem outrageously obvious but attempting to extricate yourself from bed when you’ve had a lousy night of sleep is much, much harder than hopping out of bed after a full eight hours of peaceful snoozing. Set a sleep routine and be strict about it. Have a warm bath, avoid devices, dim lights at least an hour before bed, ensure your bedroom is as cosy as possible and you’ll see the quality of your sleep, and ability to get out of bed in the morning, rise exponentially.

Eat immediately

Not a breakfast person? It’s time to become one. You’ve essentially been fasting for several hours so it’s time to top up your energy levels. Eating a meal (or snack if you’re one of those aforementioned breakfast shunners) full of complex carbohydrates and protein will send a clear signal to your body to wake up and will set you up for the entire day.

Move it

Fact: moving your body sends oxygen to your brain and increases the blood flow through your body. The result? You feel more alert and awake. Even if you can’t possibly bear to throw your workout gear on and pound the pavement, get up and walk around your home for a few minutes to kick-start your body.

Tried everything? If all else fails, you have our permission to pay your barista to wake you up with caffeine.

If you are concerned about your health, wellbeing or sleep, your first port of call should be your GP, who will advise a correct treatment plan. 

Now that we’re on the topic, here are 10 simple ways to enhance the quality of your sleep – starting from tonight! – plus the 7 surprising things making you tired.