We’ve all been there: the alarm rings, and you fumble around half-asleep, hitting snooze until you’ve used up every last second of rest.
By the time you’re fully awake, you’re dashing around in a frenzy, wondering why mornings are always so hectic.
But have you ever met someone who seems to wake up before that blaring alarm, bright-eyed and full of energy? It’s tempting to think they’re just “morning people,” but in my experience, these folks usually have specific habits that make early rising feel almost effortless.
Now, I’m not claiming they leap out of bed in a state of perpetual bliss—everyone has off days. However, there’s a definite pattern to their lives that puts them in the perfect position to greet the day on their own terms.
Here are eight things I’ve noticed about people who regularly get up before their alarm goes off:
1. They’re intentional about bedtime
Do you ever find yourself on the couch, telling yourself “just one more episode” until you notice it’s way past midnight? This is precisely the trap that people who rise early avoid.
They make a plan for bedtime—and stick to it.
If you’re rolling your eyes because this sounds like something your mom told you as a kid, hear me out. When you’re purposeful about going to bed at a certain time, you train your body’s internal clock to settle into a routine.
I’ve made this a part of my own life, and it’s worked wonders for my morning mood. Even though I’m juggling motherhood, writing, and the day-to-day mania of London life, enforcing a lights-out rule at night has been a game-changer.
Some days I slip up, but if I’m consistent most of the time, I feel the benefits immediately.
2. They create a morning “reward”
Ever notice how kids jump out of bed on their birthday or Christmas morning without a fuss? That’s the power of excitement and anticipation.
People who wake before their alarm often harness that same magic by building a morning routine that’s genuinely enjoyable.
It could be something as simple as setting aside time for ten minutes of reading, enjoying a special brand of tea, or even indulging in a mini-dance party in the kitchen. If there’s something you love waiting for you at dawn, you’ll be far less tempted to hit snooze.
Once, I tried incorporating a mini workout into my morning. Spoiler alert: it was a disaster because I hated it so much that I started dreading my mornings.
Then I switched things up: I began journaling and sipping a cup of herbal tea while the city was still quiet. That small switch made mornings feel like a treat, and I found myself waking up without needing my phone’s alarm shrieking at me.
3. They practice mindful evenings
“Begin with the end in mind,” said Stephen Covey, who famously wrote about habits that lead to success.
While he was talking about life goals, I’ve found this principle is equally true when it comes to winding down at night. People who rise early are often very selective about how they spend those last hours before sleep.
This might mean cutting back on screen time, dimming the lights, or meditating for a few minutes to calm racing thoughts. It’s all about sending the body and mind the signal that rest is coming.
When I started turning off my TV and putting away my phone at least 30 minutes before bed, I noticed how much easier it was to drift off.
And guess what? Experts back this up. According to a study, limiting screen exposure before bed can significantly improve both the duration and the quality of sleep.
We’re not robots—we can’t just flip a switch the moment we decide to rest. A thoughtful nighttime ritual helps us unwind so we can wake up naturally, sometimes before the alarm even buzzes.
4. They know their sleep “why”
Have you ever asked yourself why you want to wake up earlier?
Sometimes, people think they should rise early just because it’s the “successful” thing to do—maybe they read somewhere that high achievers are all early risers.
But without a deeply personal motive, it’s tough to resist the allure of the snooze button.
People who consistently wake before their alarm often have a clear reason driving them. Maybe it’s the desire to carve out quiet time for themselves before the house stirs. Perhaps they’re training for a marathon and need those morning miles. Or maybe they’re building a side hustle and need extra working hours.
For me, I realized that if I wanted moments of peace to write and reflect—without my son or the morning emails vying for my attention—I needed to wake up earlier.
That purpose was strong enough to keep me from tumbling back under the covers.
If you’re struggling to rise early, spend a few minutes asking yourself: “What’s my sleep why?” It could change your perspective completely.
5. They prepare the night before
There’s no bigger morning time-waster than rummaging through a closet trying to find a matching outfit, or scrambling through the kitchen to figure out breakfast options.
Early risers tend to eliminate these friction points by prepping the night before—laying out clothes, setting the table for breakfast, and planning out the day’s to-dos.
This is backed by experts like Helen Tupper, co-founder of Amazing If, who has noted that small steps to organize your environment can significantly impact your morning’s flow.
She’s often discussed the benefits of micro-actions—tiny preparations that can save you heaps of time and stress when you wake up.
When I first tried this, I was stunned at how much calmer my mornings felt. No more meltdown because my son’s uniform was still in the laundry or an epic hunt for my missing keys.
Everything had its place, which allowed me to start the day with a clear head—and enough extra minutes to rise on my own terms, rather than in a panic.
6. They maintain a balanced lifestyle
This is one of those catch-all habits we know we should be following but often neglect: eating well, staying hydrated, and getting some form of exercise.
The folks who pop up naturally before their alarms are usually quite mindful of these fundamentals.
Why does this matter? When your body is balanced—regular exercise, nutritious meals, and enough water—you tend to sleep more soundly.
And restful sleep makes it easier to wake up without the alarm’s nagging shrill. There’s nothing more jarring than lying in bed at night, too wired from caffeine or junk food to drift off, only to be jolted awake by your phone a few short hours later.
Personally, once I began paying more attention to what I eat in the evenings (and cut down on late-night sugary snacks), I noticed a huge improvement in my sleep.
That sense of balance might not show immediate results the very next day, but over time, it can absolutely transform your mornings.
7. They embrace a positive morning mindset
As Sheryl Sandberg has said, “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”
While she was talking about leadership and self-awareness, I find the sentiment applies perfectly to our morning attitudes, too.
Early risers often train themselves to view morning as a fresh start—an opportunity to set the tone for the day. Instead of dwelling on how tired they might be, they focus on what they can accomplish or the gratitude they feel for a new day.
I once wrote a post here at DM News on shifting your mindset around challenges (you might have read my post on pushing through mental blocks), and the core takeaway was that perspective is everything.
The same is true for mornings. If you label yourself as “not a morning person” and dread the sunrise, you’ll probably resist waking up.
But if you see mornings as your time to reflect, read, or pursue a passion project, you might start jumping out of bed before the alarm even has a chance to ring.
8. They prioritize rest over everything else
Last but definitely not least, people who wake up before their alarm consistently place sleep at the top of their priority list.
This can mean saying no to late-night social plans or cutting back on evening scrolling sessions. It might even involve explaining to friends or family why you need to turn in early.
The logic here is simple: if the goal is to wake up refreshed, then sacrificing rest for other activities becomes self-defeating.
When I first tried to adopt this habit, I had a tendency to pack my nights full of tasks, thinking I’d somehow squeeze in some “me time” after everyone else was asleep. But the truth is, rest is the best gift you can give yourself, especially if you want those bright, pre-alarm mornings.
Sometimes, there’s a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) involved. You see people living their best lives in the late hours, and you wonder if you’re missing something by going to bed early.
But from what I’ve observed, those who genuinely value their morning routine are more than willing to trade nighttime activities for the calm, productive energy they experience each new day.
Wrapping up
Waking up before your alarm doesn’t have to be some mysterious superpower reserved for monks and marathon runners.
It’s all about nurturing habits that help your mind and body settle into a healthy rhythm—from being intentional about bedtime to crafting a morning routine that actually excites you.
In truth, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It may take a bit of trial and error to find your sweet spot. Maybe you’ll start with mindful evenings or prepping the night before.
Maybe you’ll shift your entire bedtime routine. The key is to recognize that the power to change your mornings rests squarely in your hands.
If you struggle at first, don’t be too hard on yourself. Like all lasting changes, waking up early (and happily) is a journey. Stick with these habits, tweak them to suit your life, and give yourself grace when you slip up.
Who knows? With a little dedication, you might soon be opening your eyes a few minutes before the alarm—and wondering why you ever thought it was impossible in the first place.
Here at DM News, we’re big believers in the power of incremental changes. Give a few of these habits a go, and let me know how it works out for you. Because, honestly, there’s nothing more empowering than starting your day on your own terms—no snooze button required.
