Becoming Wiser

Aug. 10, 2006 - So, you want to be an Early Riser...

I would have to say that, all my life, I have struggled to have a regular morning "quiet time." In my school years, I always HAD to get up early, but getting up earlier than absolutely necessary was more than difficult. I did it sometimes, but it was always a short-lived phase. Besides, I was a night owl and I loved having LENGTHY journalling and Bible study sessions at night.

Then I got married and our family began to grow and it became of utmost importance to me to have this time ALONE. Before everyone else woke up was the only available option. I tried for YEARS to make this a comfortable habit. I prayed about it, enlisted accountability partners, and tried a whole host of other methods. Nothing produced lasting results.

But I think I have now developed enough of a habit that I can say it is a lifestyle change. I still go through phases of sleeping in (during our school breaks, etc.), but it's generally not a big deal to get back into my 5:30 wake-up routine. Here are a few tips that I've found helpful:

1) Pray about it. A Lot! It seriously took me about 5 years of earnest attempts to make waking up early feel normal. I tried off and on. I would go up to a month of getting up early. Then something would happen (I'd get sick or something), and I'd "make exceptions" and be sleeping in again for months. Up until last fall, I was NOT consistent.

2) Do NOT make exceptions for ANY REASON unless illness that leaves you flat on your back. I finally decided that I would be consistent NO MATTER WHAT. I allowed myself to go back to bed after half an hour if it really was a huge struggle. In fact, sometimes, on mornings when I'm really tired, I STILL doze off on the couch after I've prayed and done my Bible study. The key is, GET UP AT THE SAME TIME EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I just read an article about this. From what the article said, and I have found this to be true in my own life, when you are starting on this journey of developing an early-rising habit, do not worry too much about when you go to bed. Go to bed when you are tired. BUT, no matter WHEN you go to bed, how much or how few hours of sleep you get, set your alarm for the same time every morning and get up. Within a few days, your body should develop its own routine. I do not sleep the same amount of hours every night. Most people don't. Some days are more exhausting than others.

Have you ever noticed that, even when your children are up really, really late one night, they STILL get up relatively around the usual time the next morning? Our bodies like this balance of consistency and flexiblity.

You might need to play around a bit with the proper wake-up time. Obviously, you need to decide how much time you want to yourself before your family invades your space. But once you've figured on the time based on that information, you might need to experiment a little. For some reason, I had always had my mind set on 6:00AM. I tried and tried to make this my natural wake-up time. After a lot of frustration and some experimentation, I discovered that it's easier for me to get up at 5:30 than it is at 6:00. My brother once told me this has something to do with our sleeping patterns and the cycle of sleep. We sleep on a cycle of deep, deep sleep to lighter sleep that goes over and over throughout the night. I do not know if this is true or not. My brother's not a scientist or anything (though he knows a lot), so don't quote me on this. But I do know that adjusting your wake-up time by even 10 minutes can make a huge difference.

So if you decided to play around with the time, give yourself at least three days before you try a different time.

Once you have a set time, do not even make an exception on the weekends until this becomes normal. (I know. That sounds awful, but it felt SO good for me to accomplish this.)

I actually MISS this early morning time on the weekends now that I'm able to sleep in on Sunday without paying for it during the week. I feel MORE tired during the day (as though I OVER slept).

3) Get everything you need ready the night before. It helps me to get dressed immediately after getting out of bed. The movement gets my blood flowing. I don't necessarily put on what I'll wear that day, but maybe a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. Something easy. So I get the clothes ready the night before.

I also like to have a cup of green tea and a bowl of organic instant oatmeal. I'm not a huge advocate of those little oatmeal packets because of all the sugar, but it really helps me to stay awake and liven up early. I get up, get dressed, boil water for the tea and cereal. While the water's boiling, I go to the bathroom. By the time I get out, the water's boiling. So I pour it, then go sit down in the living room and do my prayer and Bible study while I enjoy my early breakfast. If we have bananas, I eat one of those, too. So, all of this I get ready the night before so I make as little noise as possible for the rest of the family.

4) Stretching can help. I have a short (5min.) stretching routine I HAVE to do two times a day for my back. I have sometimes done it before I sit on the couch. This also wakes me up and gets my blood flowing.

5) I must admit. It is not easy to develop this habit. There are still mornings where I feel like my eyes must be almost swollen shut and my whole body just vibrates in protest when I get out of bed. Just FORCE yourself to at least GET OUT OF BED. The second the alarm rings, just POP up and stand there for a few seconds. Slowly make your way to your clothes. Just force yourself to move. The more you move and just keep going, the less risk of going back to bed.

6) It also helps to have something you really look forward to incorporated into this time. I love checking my email, updating my blog, or looking on the SL forums while I eat my oatmeal. You might enjoy a cappuccino, hot chocolate, or other favorite drink. At the beginning of this practice, treat yourself to something during this time. It's an indulgence that will actually really pay off in the end. For me, spending some time on the couch checking email and surfing the Net requires minimal thought or effort. I take my laptop to the couch and read and surf while my body gets used to the idea of being up.

7) I will also admit that having a laptop has been a huge help. I can still get really cozy and comfortable on the couch while I do this stuff. It's not quite as abrupt as having to sit in an office chair or at the dining room table. (Obviously, this is NOT a requirement and is not possible for everyone. I'm just sharing my experience with you.)

8) I journal when I pray, so I do this on the computer as well. Before I had a laptop, I used to use a notebook, and I confess to falling asleep a few times. Sometimes, writing with a pen just took too much effort that early in the morning.

I also do an online Bible study. The one I'm working on right now has all the Scriptures on it and everything RIGHT THERE, so I'm not having to sit up straight and flip through a bunch of different books, etc.

Now that I'm used to this early morning thing, though, I don't think I'd have as much of a problem reading an actual book, writing, etc. Do what works for you.

9) I cannot stress enough how important it is to pray about this. I literally CRIED to God to help me with this. I often pray, before I go to sleep, that He would help me to wake up or at least to get out of bed. I talk to Him about what I'd like to discuss in the morning, etc. There have actually been times, as I'm mentally preparing myself for getting up the next morning, that I get so excited about it. Sometimes, I even wake up BEFORE the alarm on days when God and I are gonna be going real deep. My relationship with Christ has grown by leaps and bounds because of this time.

10) Another motivator for me is that it has been proven time and time again in this home, that if I DO NOT get up early and start my day off right with this quiet time, Mommy turns into a bear. The day just does NOT go smoothly. Seriously, it NEVER fails. It is GUARANTEED that if I miss this time, I will not have a good day. Guaranteed.

So now, when I'm tempted to stay in bed, I remind myself that I am choosing RIGHT NOW whether I'm going to have a good day or a bad day; whether I'm going to be a good mom or a bad mom.

11) It is also a help when I can have my quite time out on the porch. The fresh air invigorates me and I feel more....alive when I'm so close to nature.

12) As I mentioned earlier, I do not stress about what time I'm in bed. Sometimes, it's 11:30 (but too many nights of that would be too much). Generally, my body is good and ready to sleep by 10:30.

It most certainly helps to have a bedtime routine. For me, after I clean up from supper, I get my morning stuff ready. This kinda helps me to be motivated to get to bed on time, as well. Then I do the kids' bedtime routine. I read to them, etc. Snuggle a bit. Then I do a 15 min. exercise routine. Then I shower or bathe or whatever I need to do to keep my body presentable! Then I have about 1.5 hours of free time. I generally spend it with dh. Sometimes we're both just puttering around. Sometimes we visit. Sometimes we watch a movie. Whatever. It's never something that would hype me up too much before bed. Then, usually around 10 I start getting ready for bed. I ALWAYS read before I try to sleep,no matter WHAT time I'm in bed. I cannot wind down properly without this. Sometimes, I also have a cup of relaxing tea (Sleepytime, Tension Tamer, Chamomile, or Sweet Dreams).

13) Also, I have a schedule for our whole day (school days). This is a huge motivator as well. It never fails that, when I DON'T get up early, the rest of the schedule is completely out of whack for the whole day, even if I try to make up for it somehow by eliminating an activity or something. I get up at 5:30, the rest of the family is up at 7:00. If I don't get up early, breakfast is late, breakfast cleanup runs too late, we don't get all our morning chores done, the house is in shambles and we're all flustered by the time we have to start school at 8:45. I really think that having a schedule to stick to throughout the day is a KEY factor in being motivated to get up early.

I think that's all I can think of for now. Hopefully, some of these tips can be useful to you and you can begin to have success with your early-rising goal!

Aug. 10, 2006 - great post

Posted by Joanna

Wow, this was really good. You have really great tips!

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Aug. 10, 2006 - I could have written this!!

Posted by kellieann

Wow...I know exactly what you mean....by all of this. It's something I've struggled with my whole life. If I ever slip back into a sleeping-in pattern, I fall apart in almost every area of my life. Our school year just started, and I've been getting up at 5:30 too. I'll be thinking of you in the wee hours....

By the way, I'm a Sonlighter too. Core 5 and K this year.

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Aug. 11, 2006 - Memory Work

Posted by timbuck2mom

To memorize a long passage of Scripture I would put the entire chapter on the index card. You can put it on the front and back and if it's longer than that add another index card and staple the two together. You'd be amazed at how much you can fit onto an index card when you reduce the text.

If you have the whole chapter printed out and put on cards you won't have to do it later, your child can just move on to the next verse since it's printed out already.

I have the Bible on my computer; I just copy the passage we are learning into Microsoft Works, reduce the font size, adjust the margins and it's ready for print. I think there are Bibles online that you could copy passages from if you don't have your own.

Does this answer your question clearly? If not, please feel free to ask me again.

This system is really working for our family. I've been so pleased with it! Yeah!

I love waking up early before the children are up to have devotions, too. It feels so good to see dawn spread across the sky. So, hope you are having a lovely morning. :)

All for Him, Elisabeth

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Aug. 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ApplesofGold

This is a great post!! Thank you for the comment you left at my blog-it blessed me in return. Blessings, Holly

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Aug. 13, 2006 - Nice Random Blog

Posted by Danaover40

I love clicking the Random Blog button and meeting new folks. I love your post about rising early. It's so true, being consistent is the key. I'm 48 years old, or er, young. In fact yesterday was my birthday. I just now feel like I can get RIGHT UP when I wake up. For years I felt so heavy-headed in the morning and would go back to sleep. When I did wake up for the second time I still drug myself out of bed, and fought sluggishness all day.

I'm doing The Lord's Table also and enjoy it alot.

God Bless~

Danaover40

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Aug. 18, 2006 - Hi there!

Posted by OurHappyFamily

Hey .. I was doing pretty good at developing an earlier rising time .. but I let it slide. I, too, notice many of the same benefits you described. Also .. I just plain NEED to give this time to the Lord. I'm really slacking. I need to stop talking the talk, and start walking the walk. I'll see if I can get back to this. I plan to set my alarm for tomorrow AM! Thanks!!!

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Oct. 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by teachermommy

Thank you! Some of your tips are great!

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Nov. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SoCoMamacita

WOW! What a relief to read your blog entry. I too struggle with getting up early - really, I struggle with getting up at all some days! Thanks for your honesty and encouragement!

Jennifer

I found you on the Sonlight forums. I too am a Sonlighter, core 5 and K this year.

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Nov. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by OurHomeSweetHomeschool

Tina at:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HeadingHomeward

needs our prayers.

Please lift her before the Lord and stop by to let her know you are praying.

Thank you,
Theresa

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Nov. 9, 2006 - thanks

Posted by Anonymous

This is somthing that I have been soo convicted about and I know the Lord is calling me to rise early but it is so difficult to get up any earlier. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your encouragement and your "how to" of sorts. I really appreciate it.

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Nov. 19, 2006 - Wow, love this post

Posted by Anonymous

I'm Jessica, currently homeschooling my 5 using Sonlight (but switching to MFW soon). I can't even remember how I found your blog but wanted to say your post was great! I loved when you wrote: " I do not sleep the same amount of hours every night. Most people don't. Some days are more exhausting than others." That is SO TRUE!

We're currently on a late night schedule because my husband works night so it works for us. But the few times I have tried to be an early bird those peaceful morning hours were just wonderful I miss them! I'm going to forward this entry link to a friend of mine that struggles to become an early riser.

Hugs,
Jess

~ Captured Thoughts ~ http://blessedmom2k.lifewithchrist.org

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Nov. 21, 2006 - Early Rising

Posted by Anonymous

Great post on early rising! Wanted to add another tip for those in areas like the northwest where it is grey and dark all winter. A sunrise or light therapy lamp. Yes, it's a small investment (the NatureBright runs $160 on Amazon) but boy has it made a difference for me in being able to rise early. I arrange the lamp so the white light will shine on my pillow and then it simulates dawn by slowly rising the light level of the lamp in the morning starting before I want to be fully awake. This works so much better than being jolted out of sleep by an alarm or even music, as our bodies naturally respond to the light. The light therapy is also great if you tend to be depressed in the dark winter months. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it since it has been working so well for me.

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Nov. 21, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

oh, what a good topic to post about. I will be back to read more and digest it. found you over at the sonlight boards.

blessings,
Jenny
www.homeiswhereyoustartfrom.blogspot.com

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