11 easy ways to beat sleepy mornings without coffee

According to WebMD, 2.2 million Americans complain about being tired every single day. And with the approach of winter and cold temperatures, getting out of bed in the morning is about to get even harder.

However, rather than relying on coffee and other caffeinated beverages, I am the type of person who likes to take control of things the natural way.

Luckily, just like there are natural ways to fight a cold or the flu, there are plenty of easy, caffeine-free hacks for overcoming sleepy mornings.

This exclusive list of early morning hacks is perfect for fighting that drowsy "just woke up" feeling. While I've heard that you should splash cold water on your face, I had no idea there were so many surprising and effective tips for battling sleepiness.

Scroll through below to see how you can combat sleepy mornings and start your day off on the right foot.

Do you plan to try these easy, grogginess-fighting techniques? Let us know in the comments!

Wake Up At The Same Time Every Day

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

While you may have the urge to sleep late on the weekends, this is actually making it harder to get up in the morning during the week.

Studies show that getting up at the same time every day will not only help you get out of bed each day, but it will actually improve the quality of your sleep.

Setting the alarm for the same time each day will also reset your body's internal clock, making it much easier to start your day with energy and a positive outlook.

Take A Whiff

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Awakening your senses is a great way to also awaken the rest of your mind.

Smelling a scented candle first thing in the morning can activate portions of your brain that will help you kick the grogginess.

Some people even go so far as to keep smelling salts or fragrant essential oils on their nightstand for an early-morning boost.

There is a reason why every coffee commercial shows a person smelling their coffee: waking up your sense of smell is key to reaching an awake and alert place.

Keep A Log

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

Different techniques can be more effective for different people. That's why it is key to keep a sleep log.

Write down how you feel each morning as you incorporate these anti-drowsiness techniques into your life.

Does going to bed at a specific time give you more energy? Does getting out of bed at the same time each day keep you going longer?

Keeping a journal of your sleep habits and your drowsiness levels can help you to experiment and strike the exact right balance for you.

Shower In The Morning

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

If you are a night showerer, it might just be time to switch things up a bit.

Showering in the morning is a great way to wake up the mind and the body very quickly.

Experts recommend switching back and forth between hot and cold water in the morning.

The fast changes in temperature will quickly increase your alertness and get you mentally prepared to take on the day.

Light It Up

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

You've probably heard that you shouldn't use your phone or computer before bed because the lights will wake your brain up.

Similarly, you should get as much light in your room in the morning in order to combat grogginess.

Throwing open the curtains and getting sunlight is ideal.

However, if it is a particularly cloudy day or if you are up before the sun rises, artificial light can be just as effective at increasing your alertness levels.

Say 'Thank You'

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

It might sound hokey, but gratitude can actually go a long way in preparing you for the day to come.

Meditation can be a very effective technique. But if you don't have time for that in the morning, simply take a few deep breaths and express your thanks.

Practice saying "thank you" for another beautiful day, as well as all that you have to be grateful for in your life.

This can be stimulating and give you a compelling reason to get out of bed.

Get The Blood Pumping

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

Exercise, exercise, exercise. Nothing gets the brain in gear quite like an early-morning workout.

There are plenty of ways to get the blood pumping without having to take a trip to the gym. Doing a few jumping jacks or simply jogging in place for 30 seconds will release chemicals into your body that will have you awake and alert in no time.

If you have the chance, go for a jog in the park. Fresh air, coupled with the exercise, will knock that grogginess right out.

Drink Some Water

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

It might sound ridiculous, but a glass of water can help you to fight sleepy mornings.

When you wake up, your body will be somewhat dehydrated from going hours without any water. Combat this with a tall glass of cool water.

A hydrated body is a more energized body, making water an effective tool in battling sleepiness.

Play A Happy Tune

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

Just as waking up your sense of smell can fight drowsiness, waking up your sense of hearing can have the same effect.

Put on some upbeat music, or play one of your favorite radio shows at a somewhat higher volume.

It might make you cringe at first, but activating your hearing this early in the day will go a long way to activating the rest of your brain as well.

Eat Breakfast

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, they aren't kidding.

Not only is breakfast key to a balanced diet, but food can give you the energy you need to kick things into high gear.

Focusing specifically on energy-boosting breakfast foods such as yogurt, fruit, and breakfast meats can really do the trick.

Get Right Up

LittleThings / Heeral Chhibber

One trick that is absolutely key to fighting drowsiness is to get up right away.

It might be a struggle to avoid hitting that "snooze" button, but snoozing only keeps your mind and body in a groggy state.

As soon as you hear that alarm go off, sit up and start to get out of bed. Do a stretch or two if you need, but get on your feet as quickly as possible.

These hacks for fighting sleepy mornings are so easy to try, and they are extremely effective.

Which of these will you be using to battle morning grogginess? Let us know in the comments.

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