Tip #4: Let the Music Wake You Up

Did you know that the NASA program has a long-standing tradition of greeting the crew each day during a mission with an appropriate musical interlude? It’s time for you to join the space crew!

All you need is a music player with a built-in alarm clock. Set the player to play your favorite song and set the alarm time. I prefer fast-paced, energizing music. An alternative way is to use a radio with an alarm clock—this way, you wake up with a new “alarm song” every day. You can try this if you feel that you’re getting used to the same alarm every day and start ignoring it.

For me, being woken up by my favorite song is the best way to start my day. Not only is it easier to wake up when you hear your favorite tune (I just jump out of bed when I hear it!), but it also becomes part of a ritual and helps build that habit. Your body gets used to this tune, and whenever you hear it, your body gets a signal to wake up! A few people said that they choose a song with appropriate lyrics. Or how about Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends”?

You can actually buy one of those all-in-one devices that combine an alarm clock with time projected on the ceiling, a CD or MP3 player, and a sound machine with natural sounds. You can choose to wake up to the sounds of nature, the radio, a CD, or an alarm. By the way, an additional tip here is to change alarm sounds from time to time so you avoid getting used to them.

Note! People sleeping in the room with you may not like loud music early in the morning! So be careful—you are warned :)