10 Science-Backed Strategies For Waking Up Faster in the Mornings (5 of 6)

8. Avoid the temptation to hit the snooze button

The purpose of the snooze button is to give you a feeling of control: the ability to briefly “rebel” against the start of the workday. But the truth is, it’s a terrible idea that actually makes you feel less rested for the entire day. This is because the cycle of being jolted up by the alarm, hitting the snooze, and then drifting back to sleep only to be awoken again a few minutes later results in what researchers call “fragmented sleep.” Studies find that the snooze button can cause you to lose around 6 hours of sleep per month. You are best off staying up for good after the first alarm goes off.

9. Keep added sugars to a minimum

You know that breakfast combo of an extra large (and extra sugary) caramel latte with whipped cream and a chocolate donut? Bad idea. You’re getting around three times as much sugar than is recommended for the entire day! It leads to that terrible blood sugar spike-and-drop that physically drains you. If you crave something sweet for breakfast, opt for apples and oranges.