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7 Ways to Make It Easier to Get Up in the Morning Now That the Days Are Getting Shorter

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As my mom has helpfully told me every day this week, today marks the end ofDaylight Saving time. If you haven’t gotten the same daily reminder to turn back your clock and take advantage of a freely found hour, well, here I am!Turn back your clock! Enjoy your new free hour of the day!

The thrill of an extra 60 minutes of snooze time does, of course, come at a cost: It’s one sign thatwinter’s rolling inand daylight hours are shrinking. This can be wonderful (light shows! bonfires! stargazing!) but can also make it tough to hoist yourself out of bed and keep up your energy throughout the day. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your home a happy morning haven. Check out our tips below, suitable for budgets big and small.

Automate your lightbulbs

For less than $50, you can outfit your bedroom’s light fixtures withC by GE smart LED bulbsthat you can set to timed schedules—for example, on at 6 a.m., off at 9 p.m.—or control from your phone. They’re dimmable, too, and this set doesn’t require a bridge or other smart home device (though they can connect directly withGoogle HomeandAlexa).

Credit:Philips

Get an alarm clock that mimics the sunlight

A sunrise alarm clock is a great option if you’re looking for a light that’s a little more gradual and natural.This under-$50 Philips onestarts to softly glow 30 minutes before your wake up, which helps your body smoothly transition from your deep slumber; thehigh-end modelconnects to an app for even more light options.

Credit: Lauren Volo

Set your coffee pot on a timer

Many drip coffee makers can be programmed to start brewing a cup at a certain time; if yours doesn’t have this function, a $30smart plugconnected to a smart home device allows you to turn on the maker without leaving the bed. The only bummer: You’re still going to have to be the one to fill in the grounds the night before. Still waiting for a robot to bring me coffee bedside!

Credit:Brilli

Look into the (really fancy) mirror

这Brilli镜子—made to fit in your bathroom, but definitely chic enough for a bedroom—has a border of lights that mimic sunlight, a light warmth of about 5000K. Exposure tosunlight in the morninghelps get your body energized for the day; this mirror seeks to give that effect even in dark, interior rooms. (Bonus: better-lit makeup looks.)

Credit:Miroco

Or try some light therapy

Commonlyrecommended by doctorsfor seasonal affective disorder, sleep disorders, or jet lag, light therapy can help give your brain the effects of sunlight when you’re not getting enough of it outside. Using a lamp like thisunder-$40 Miroco oneduring the day can help you sleep better at night, and in turn, wake up easier in the morning.

Credit: Amelia Lawrence/Apartment Therapy

Stay cool at night, and warm up in the morning

Falling internal temperatures—a couple degrees lower than the normal 98.6 degrees F—communicate to your bodyit’s time to wind down; in the morning, as your temp starts to climb back up, you’ll feel more alert. For a better rest, try blankets made to help keep you cool at night, likethis weighted versionfrom Bed Bath & Beyond. In the morning, hop out of bed and do a few jumping jacks or some squats to help your body warm up.

Credit:Lauren Kolyn

Automate your curtains

Hi, yes. We are living in the future. If you want to go the natural route with your morning sunlight, motor-powered curtains are for you.Automated curtain rodsare on the pricey end, but can connect withAmazon EchoorGoogle Homeso you can make your bedside robot do the curtain-opening.

Megan Baker

Home Projects Editor

梅根是一个作家和编辑专攻me upgrades, DIY projects, hacks, and design. Before Apartment Therapy, she was an editor at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine. Megan has a degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She is a self-taught weighted blanket connoisseur.

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