How to Wake Up Refreshed After 9 Hours of Sleep
Getting those blissful 9 hours of sleep can seem impossible when you have an early morning. But with some preparation, you can train your body to rise refreshed right on time. Let's explore proven tricks to help you wake up after a full night's rest.
Adjust Your Sleep Schedule Gradually
Don't abruptly shift to a drastically earlier bedtime. This disrupts your natural circadian rhythms. Instead, go to bed 15-30 minutes earlier each night over the course of a week. This gradually moves your sleep cycle earlier so you wake up more refreshed.
Limit Evening Screen Time
Light from phones, laptops and TVs delays melatonin release and keeps your brain wired. Power down devices 1-2 hours before bed and do relaxing activities like reading to get drowsy.
Make the Room Dark and Cool
Total darkness and a temperature around 65F (18C) mimics natural sleep conditions. Blackout curtains, an eye mask and keeping devices outside the bedroom all promote sound slumber.
Avoid Caffeine After Lunch
Caffeine's stimulating effects can last up to 10 hours. Having coffee or tea after lunch can disrupt sleep onset. Stick to decaf beverages in the afternoon and evening.
Have an Evening Wind-Down Routine
Activities like stretching, journaling, aromatherapy and meditation relax the mind for sleep. Follow the same sequence nightly to cue your brain that bedtime approaches.
Set Multiple Alarm Clocks
Place alarm clocks out of reach so you must get up to turn them off. Set a series of alarms 5-10 minutes apart so you don't fall back asleep. Loud, jarring alarms help break sleep inertia.
Keep the Alarm Far from Your Bed
Position your alarm across the room so you must physically get up when it goes off. This prevents you from snoozing it and slipping back into slumber.
Open the Curtains Right Away
Sunlight signals your brain to feel alert. As soon as your alarm goes off, open the blinds or curtains to expose yourself to bright light.
Take a Quick Shower
A hot shower helps snap you into wakefulness. The spike in body temperature gives your metabolism a boost to help you feel energized.
Overcoming Sleep Inertia
Even after 9 hours of sleep, you can still struggle to open your eyes when the alarm blares. Sleep inertia causes that strong desire to keep dozing. Here's how to overcome it:
Do Some Quick Exercises
Jumping jacks, push-ups and squats get your blood pumping to help shake off grogginess. Just 2-3 minutes is enough to raise your heart rate.
Turn on Bright Lights
Light exposure
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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