Morning Routine for Night Owls to Boost Productivity

If you’ve read any success strategy books, you’d find that many authors tell you to wake up early, as the early bird catches the worm. While this works for some people, it does not work for everyone. Some people’s brains do not switch on until the sun sets. Forcing such a person to wake up early and be productive will lead to burnout instead of productivity. 

But there’s good news! Being productive is not about when you wake up but how you manage the transition from sleep to action. So, today I’ll share a morning routine that will help you boost productivity every day. 

4 Morning Routines for Boosting Productivity for Night Owls

If you’re not a morning person and want to increase your productivity, these four routines can take you from having brain fog in the morning to being very active:

1. Make Zero Decisions in the First 15 Minutes

Most night owls experience sleep inertia (a heavy, groggy feeling) more than early birds. To beat this, avoid making decisions in the morning. Complete tasks that involve decision-making the night before, whether it is deciding what to wear or what to have for breakfast. By taking out decision-making from your morning routine, you’ll save brain power for when you’re ready to start your work. 

2. Seek Blue Light When You Wake Up

Your circadian rhythm (inner clock) needs a strong signal that the day has started. Therefore, immediately you wake up, open your curtains or use a sunlight lamp. Natural light suppresses the sleep hormone, melatonin, and tells your brain it’s time to start producing cortisol for energy. 

3. Give Yourself a 90-Minute Buffer

Most people tackle their most difficult project the moment they sit at their desk, but you shouldn’t. As a night owl, you’re not likely to hit your “peak” until the late afternoon. Therefore, use the first 90 minutes to handle easier tasks like answering emails, organising your calendar, or any other light admin work. When you do this, you build momentum without getting frustrated from handling hard tasks before your brain is ready. 

4. Time Your Caffeine Time Strategically

Drinking coffee the moment you wake up is not the best choice for a night owl, as it can lead to a mid-day crash. It is wise to wait at least 60 to 90 minutes after you wake up to have your first cup of coffee. When you do this, your body will naturally clear out adenosine, the chemical that makes you sleepy. And the caffeine boost will last longer, making you more productive. 

3 Common Mistakes That Kill a Night Owl’s Productivity

Even with a great routine, there are habits that can hamper your energy and make you less productive. The following are three common mistakes that kill a night owl’s productivity that you should avoid:

• Using the Snooze Button: We’ve all been tempted to hit the snooze button for “just five more minutes.” But this is a trap because when you fall back asleep for a few minutes, your brain starts a brand-new sleep cycle that it cannot finish. This makes your brain fog much worse when you finally do get up. To avoid this, put your phone or alarm clock far from you so you can’t hit snooze even if you want to.
• Doomscrolling on Social Media: Scrolling through social media immediately you wake up does not help your brain come alive. Instead, it floods it with cheap dopamine and stressful information. As a result, your mental energy gets drained before your day starts. You can avoid this by keeping your phone away from you, and don’t go on social media until 30 minutes after you wake up.
• Feeling Morning Guilt: Just because you did not wake up by 5 a.m., does not mean you’ve failed that day or won’t be productive. If you spend your morning feeling guilty, you’ll be too stressed to be productive. Therefore, accept that you’re not an early riser, and maximise your time the best way possible. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, being productive is about knowing what works for you and sticking with it. When you stop making decisions immediately after waking up, seek blue light, delay having your morning coffee, and start with easier tasks at work, you’ll become more productive. So, rather than bemoaning being a night owl, use this routine and have the most productive day.