"๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐น๐ค๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ค๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ข๐บ, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต ๐ฐ๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ข๐บ ๐ธ๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ต๐ต๐บ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ค๐ฉ ๐ต๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ช๐ต๐ด๐ฆ๐ญ๐ง. ๐๐ธ๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ. ๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐ท๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ญ๐ช๐ง๐ฆ."
โ Robin Sharma, author of The 5 AM Club
In Far North Queensland, where the tropical heat can become oppressive by mid-morning, getting up at dawn is essential to enjoy the cooler hours of the day. Over the years, Iโve mastered the art of waking up early. Thereโs nothing quite like the stillness of the early morning, watching the sunrise with a warm cup of ceremonial cacao before diving into a morning routine of running, yoga, and meditation. This quiet time sets the tone for my day and has been a total game-changer.
But waking up early isnโt always easy, especially when your bed feels extra cozy. Here are some simple hacks that can make it much easier to rise with the sun. Give them a tryโespecially #4, itโs a personal favorite!
It might seem obvious, but one of the simplest ways to beat the struggle of getting out of bed is to get up as soon as you wake up. Lying in bed, even if youโre just resting, can amplify anxious or negative thoughts, setting a sluggish tone for the day. Trust your bodyโs natural rhythmsโif youโre awake, itโs time to get up. This is linked to your cortisol awakening response (CAR), which is the natural surge of cortisol that prepares your body to transition from sleep to wakefulness. Research shows that delaying getting out of bed can dampen this response, making you feel groggy longer.
As simple as it sounds, thereโs something incredibly grounding about placing your feet flat on the floor as soon as you sit up in bed. Sitting at the edge of your bed with your feet firmly planted helps to shift your energy from the horizontal (sleep) state to a more vertical (active) state. Itโs a small but effective kinesthetic cue that signals to your brain itโs time to wake up and get moving. This tactile connection with the ground can also help reduce morning anxiety, anchoring you in the present moment.
Your bodyโs internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is closely tied to natural light. Getting outside and allowing daylight to hit your eyes shortly after waking up can help realign your circadian rhythms, improving alertness and energy throughout the day. Sunlight exposure in the morning triggers the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood and focus, while also helping to regulate melatonin production for better sleep at night. So, whether it's stepping outside for a few moments or sitting by a sunny window, natural light is your best friend in the morning.
A 2020 study published in Current Biology highlighted how early morning light exposure could positively influence mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being by boosting serotonin levels. It's one of the easiest and most natural hacks to elevate your morning energy.
Letโs face itโsometimes the motivation to get out of bed needs a little nudge. One of the best tricks Iโve found is visualizing my first warm, comforting cup of Soma Cacao. The anticipation of that rich, velvety cacao drink is enough to pull me out of bed with enthusiasm. Cacao contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant that increases blood flow to the brain and body without the jittery side effects of caffeine. Plus, the magnesium and serotonin in cacao help to relax the nervous system, offering a gentle mood boost as you start your day.
Not only does cacao provide an energy lift, but it also promotes a sense of calm and focus, thanks to the presence of PEA (phenethylamine) and anandamide, compounds that enhance mood and feelings of well-being. Drinking cacao in the morning helps you approach the day with more balance, clarity, and intention.
Why do these hacks work so well? They align with what we know about how the brain and body function first thing in the morning. Your cortisol levels are naturally higher within the first 30-60 minutes after waking, which helps boost energy and alertness. By getting up right away, grounding yourself, and exposing yourself to natural light, you're working with your body's natural rhythms instead of against them. These small actions also help regulate your stress response, promoting a calmer, more focused start to the day.
Adding cacao into your morning ritual provides further support, giving you a slow-release energy boost while reducing stress levels. The science behind ceremonial cacao shows that itโs rich in flavonoids, which not only improve blood flow to the brain but also help protect against oxidative stress, enhancing your cognitive function and mood throughout the day.
Mastering the morning is key to elevating your entire day. By incorporating these simple hacksโgetting up as soon as you wake, grounding yourself with your feet on the floor, soaking up natural light, and indulging in a cup of Soma Cacaoโyouโll set the tone for a more productive, balanced, and enjoyable day. Give these a try and watch how your mornings transform!
