Create a sleep-friendly environment. If you can’t sleep, go into another room. In general, experts say that the bedroom should be reserved for sleep and sex. So don’t lie in your bed with insomnia. Take a break, do something else and then come back and try to sleep again later.
Stick to your new routine.
Be consistent in your efforts. According to Lifehacker, it’s important to set your alarm regularly, including on weekends. Doing this will establish a new routine that lasts.
Be realistic in setting your goals. For example, Lifehacker suggests setting the alarm for 7:45 a.m. if your ultimate goal is to arise at seven. Then begin to set your alarm 15 minutes earlier once you’re comfortable, moving toward your goal in increments until you finally meet it. This will make the change less overwhelming.
And take heed when it comes to pressing that cherished snooze button. This simple process can actually affect the REM cycle. So set your alarm for the real time you plan to get up -- and set a second alarm just in case. Put your alarm clock in a place where you can’t press snooze while you’re asleep.
Eat a well-balanced breakfast.
Eat a protein-rich breakfast. According to Real Simple, a quick cup of coffee and perhaps a little gum aren’t going to be what your body needs when you’re making this type of lifestyle change.
“After sleeping all night, our metabolism and blood sugar are at their lowest; we need a healthy breakfast to re-energize us,” Rebecca Scritchfield, R.D., a Washington D.C. based nutrition and exercise expert specializing in weight management tells Real Simple. She says that a good breakfast should include protein, fruit or vegetables, and something that contains whole grain.
Making breakfast can be both easy and fun. For a restaurant-style treat, you could try a veggie omelet with whole-grain toast and a piece of fruit. Or you can make a yummy bowl of oatmeal with berries on top and a side of cottage cheese. Just be sure not to choose oatmeal that is loaded with sugar.