Hello Friends,
Welcome to No Stress Summer Challenge Number 1! This week’s challenge is to wake up at 6:00 a.m. every day for the week. This post explores the science behind how this challenge can help alleviate stress, shares personal reflections from each day of the challenge, offers my overall thoughts on the experience, provides guidance on whether you need to try it and offers tips for success. I hope you enjoy my Week 1 round-up! Subscribe to stay up-to-date with my No Stress Summer Challenges, available here all summer long!
The Science of Stress
There is plenty of evidence that backs up how waking up earlier can improve stress levels and also lower the risk of developing a depressive disorder. From giving more time for a solid breakfast to improving productivity levels and performance to providing more opportunities for exercise, there are numerous benefits to waking up earlier that directly correlate with stress levels.
According to Summa Health, “Researchers believe one reason could be those who wake up earlier have more access to daylight, which is a natural mood booster.”
Ignite Students reported that waking up earlier gives you more time in the morning to complete items off of your to-do list, which can reduce stress levels later in the day.
Daily Reflection
Day 1 of my first No Stress Summer challenge, and I FEEL GREAT! Now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, as it’s only the first day, and I could easily change my mind by the end of the week, but after day one. I’m a fan of waking up at 6:00 a.m.! I am just as surprised as you are. I thought I would feel groggy all day today and need a nap to get me through the day. However, I have felt more energized and motivated than I do on a regular day!
Not to mention, I was so productive today! More so than usual. I will note that in the first hour of the day, I was pretty anxious just due to the fact I was doing something out of my routine, and leaving my comfort zone often brings on anxiety. However, I talked myself down and took the extra time I had in the morning to have a slow and calming morning that set me up super well for the day! Getting a jump on the day makes me feel like it is more possible to check off everything on my to-do list. It is exciting to get things done instead of being stressed about all the tasks I have to complete. I have always felt like more of a night gremlin; however, this challenge may have me rethinking that! We shall see!
Day 2 of No Stress Summer Challenge Number 1, and I’m still feeling good! I did accidentally drift back off to sleep this morning after my alarm went off. (I always do some breathing exercises in bed to start my day, and I kind of just fell back asleep, lol). That is the purpose of multiple alarms, my friends! Anyway, my notes from yesterday still stand. I am surprisingly still more energized than usual and have once again been more productive! Waking up early has also given me a strange sense of importance. I can’t explain it, but it exists. No morning anxiety today, and I had limited amounts at all today! I feel like I’ve stepped into a new era of myself, and I’m loving it!
Day 3, and, well, the challenge kicked my butt today. I woke up feeling quite anxious and the most tired I have felt thus far. I was able to get my anxiety levels down throughout the day; however, I felt pretty worn out post-anxiety. My brain felt more foggy. However, I was still able to be productive. Today was a minor setback, but I’m still standing! I hope to get a good sleep tonight and have a better day tomorrow!
Day 4: We’re back! Today was much better than yesterday, and I feel back on track! I felt terrific today, with very little stress and anxiety throughout the day. This week feels longer than most because of the many hours I’ve gained each day. However, I’m officially over halfway through, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.
Day 5! WOO! Today was a hectic day, and I did take a quick 15-minute power nap to get me through, but I made it! I was experiencing a range of emotions today. I’m not sure if it’s related to being tired or not, but it’s notable nonetheless. That being said, I have noticed that my head has been much clearer overall since starting this challenge.
Day 6! Only one more day to go! The late nights have indeed taken a toll on me a little bit as the week has progressed. However, it has also become easier to wake up at 6:00 a.m. the more I have done it. One more day left in the challenge, but I don’t know if I want to revert to my previous morning routine. I never knew how peaceful 6:00 a.m. could be, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Day 7! I DID IT!! I am beyond proud and pleasantly surprised by myself! This morning I woke up before my alarm, which was quite unusual and unexpected. I am feeling a little tired today; however, if I can get a better bedtime to support a 6:00 a.m. wake-up, this is a lifestyle I can see myself implementing long-term!
My Recommendations
Should you try waking up earlier? Absolutely! I thought I would suffer through the week and then return to my 9 a.m. wake-ups, but I am here to report that I believe I have become a morning person. *GASP* I know. I never thought I would say it, either. I’ve had this idea of my ideal morning routine for a while, but I’ve never been able to execute it the way I wanted. However, waking up at 6 a.m., my morning routine fell into place perfectly. So, yes, I recommend you try it! Even if you don’t go for 6:00 a.m. or make as drastic a change as I did. Even 30 minutes or an hour could make a big difference for you!
Laura’s Guide to Waking Up Earlier
- If you’re unsure or worried about making a drastic change to your routine, as I did, try shifting your wake-up time by 15-20 minutes each day until you reach your desired time. Or try it cold turkey, like I did, and see how it goes. In the past I have tried incremental changes in an attempt to wake up earlier but, have really struggled with the inconsistency. The cold turkey method was much more effective for me because I could jump into a new consistent wake-up time right away. That being said, you may need to try both and find what works best for you.
- Don’t worry about being perfect. Some days, I was out of bed at 6:02. Some days, it was 6:20. What matters is putting in the effort and showing up everyday. You can refine and improve on new habits later. At the start your goal should be to just get it done.
- Know your why. Whether it’s spacing out your current morning routine, adding a walk or workout, or making yourself a fancy breakfast, having a goal or game plan will help get you up and out of bed each morning!
- Carve out some time for yourself. Take at least 15 minutes of your “bonus morning time” and dedicate it to yourself. You could try some yoga, meditate, recite affirmations, spend extra time styling your hair, etc. Starting your day with something that makes you feel happy, calm, and loved sets you up for a successful, stress-free day!
Final Thoughts
I must be honest; I was not 100% confident in my ability to pull this off. I was worried about how I would cope with the change and if it would increase my stress levels instead of decrease them. However, I am happy to report I made it through the week, handled the change well and gained quite a lot from the experience.
Where 6:00 a.m. wake-ups reduced my stress was in my ability and motivation to get to my to-dos. In life, I often get paralyzed by all my to-dos and struggle to actually do anything. However, waking up at 6 a.m. helped me to feel more on top of things and almost ahead of the game! Additionally, with significantly improved productivity levels, I spent a lot less time worrying and stirring and a lot more time getting stuff done.
I think this is something that has really changed me and how I approach my day-to-day life, and I look forward to seeing where it takes me! Although I dealt with anxiety and stress throughout this week it was significantly less than in recent weeks and a lot of that can be accredited to this challenge. Thus the 6:00 a.m. wake up challenge is No Stress Summer Approved!
Until next time, my friends!
P.S. I’m proud of you 😉
