Ask a Health Coach: Sleep, Stress, and the Snooze Button
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By: Erin Power
Alicia asked: "I've been trying to get up early to exercise, but I always end up hitting the snooze button and falling back asleep. Got any tricks to get myself up on time?"
I love that you're setting goals for yourself. It proves that you don't have to wait until New Year's or (another) Monday to make a change in your life. But I get it. Any routine that's different from your normal one can be a challenge to start, let alone stick with.
The good news is, this is kinda my specialty. I love teaching my clients to nuture their own personal accountability. When you're responsible for your own actions - and the outcomes of those actions, it puts you in the driver's seat. You're in control when it comes to what you're doing and not doing. It also sends a positive message to yourself that you're worth it and that this change is important enough for you to make it a priority.
On the flip side, when you just toss a plan out there, cross your fingers, and hope for the best with a lukewarm attitude (and zero consequences), you're pretty much setting yourself up to fail.
The first rule of accountability? Getting clear on your goals and the reasons why you want to achieve those goals. For your situation, I'd start by asking:
What time am I waking up?
What kind of exercise will I be doing?
What type of equipment or gear will I need?
Where will I be doing it?
How long will I be exercising?
Why does this matter to me?
What will happen if I don't break my snooze button habit?
