What is the best tool/ method for waking up early mornings 4:30 or 5 AM ish?

Question

I have to wake up around 4:45 ish for my job and my boss is getting suspicious of how many traffic jams I seem to run into. 4:45AM where I live is still dark. Do you have any suggestions on how I can reliably and comfortably wake up this early? I'd prefer not to have the radio suddenly blast on at max volume. I heard there were some lamps that slowly turn bright according to alarms you set

Answer 1

Put your alarm clock in a place that is very far from your bed, or make it difficult to get to it. Then turn it to 'music' and leave it on full blast. You will be pissed by the time you turn it off, and you will be awake. I know you didn't want to be awoken with loud sounds, but it seems like you have a choice to make, your job or your comfort...

Answer 2

I've been waking up at 4:45AM for 4 years now - my job requires it. The one thing that helps me is to take care of everything you need to do the night before, including packing your food for the next day, getting your clothes ready. You should do this earlier in the night so that you can spend a few minutes shutting your body down to sleep early. I still use an alarm clock, but I often wake up naturally a few minutes before 4:45AM on my own (internal clock). If you can't fall asleep early, then I'd recommend working out that day, and make sure it's a full workout that'll tire you enough. Here's a nice clock that can help you wake progressively.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/70460.asp

Answer 3

I feel your pain!!!

I too, have to be at work very early and have to be up around 4:15am - ish....Its rough, and I take public transportation. I would suggest that you have everything ready the night before.

- clothes already out.
- Food and coffee (if you drink coffee!?) already in the fridge ready to go, if yo have a coffee maker, can you set the timer on it?.
- shower the night before.
- If you don't want to use your alarm clock with the radio blaring, use your cell phone.
- Try to be in bed by 9:00pm, no later than 9:30pm.
- If your favorite tv shows are on later than that, pre-tape them, or if you have Tivo that's great.

This is some of the stuff I *try* most of the time.. Perhaps you can negotiate a later start time with your boss?

Good luck!

Answer 4

Try setting several alarms. Place one right next to your bed and then place another one across the room where you have to get up to shut it off and make the alarm time on this one approximately 5 minutes later than that on the first alarm. This seems to kind of wake you up in stages rather than all at once. Also try going to bed earlier at night once your body gets the amount of sleep that you were used to before this job it will get easier as you get into the routine. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

The best way that I have found is to put the alarm clock across the room from your bed and do have it on full volume. If a light turns on slowly, your eyes will be able to adjust and you probably won't be woken up. Even if it's a quick lights on, your brain can incorporate the light into your dreams. The same goes for music on the radio, so I recommend using the actual alarm--I have only had my brain incorporate that into my dreams once, and I have been using it for years.

Answer 6

Make sure you get sufficient sleep the night before. At first, it's hard to get your body accustomed to the early hour, but once you've settled into a routine, you get used to it.

Try and wake up in gradual stages rather than abruptly. Get some things done the night before so you won't have to rush around in the morning to get ready.

Answer 7

Set more than one alarm clock. Place them around your room. Maybe set them a couple of minutes apart.
Early night

Answer 8

Go to bed at 8:45PM to get 8 hours of sleep.

Answer 9

alarm clock or go to bed early

Answer 10

Make sure you set your alarm clock.
Have your clothes and breakfast prepared.
Shower
Go to bed early
Then, eat and run!!