It’s the New Year and the season of resolutions and goal setting, and one of the most often mentioned goals, is getting up early and setting up your day for success. How often have we heard “the early bird gets the worm”? The mantra is everywhere, and it’s an admirable objective, but what if we are just not morning people? Do we still have to be morning people after 50? Can we still be productive people, free from the scorn of more worthy members of society? Of course we can.
First of all, there is no reason to blame ourselves or feel ashamed that we are not farmers, rising to plow the back forty. It’s not our fault. We aren’t morning people because of biological differences in our circadian rhythms and in our brain chemistry. Some of us are night owls, while others are early birds. Even people who get a lot sleep, sometimes are just not morning people.
We all know that productivity is key to success, but it can be hard when you just want to stay in bed a bit longer. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of ways for us night owls, especially us over 50 year olds, to get things done without having to rise at the crack of dawn. Been there…well…you know how it goes. Here are some tips on how we can still be productive, even though we aren’t morning people.
1) Get Enough Sleep. We don’t have to wake up at 5am, but getting enough sleep is the most important thing we can do to be productive as non-morning people. If we’re tired all the time, it’s hard to focus on anything else.
2) Hydrate. Drink enough water and take breaks from work every hour or so for 15 minutes at least. This will help keep energy levels up throughout the day.
3) Eat Healthy. It’s important to eat healthy food because it boosts brain power by providing it the nutrients it needs to function properly and stay alert during the day.
4) Break Tasks Into Smaller Chunks. Instead of trying to do everything at once, break tasks down into more manageable pieces so they don’t seem as overwhelming. This can help eliminate the excuse of not getting something done because it’s too much work for one go!
5) Use Productivity Apps. There are several free apps and services that can help track productivity and boost efficiency. These apps are a good choice because they are customizable, can sync with nearly all calendars, and can help identify our own times when we are the most efficient at getting things done. Most of the apps require very little effort.
6) Don’t Feel Bad About Taking A Nap. Power naps, one or two times a day, can help keep energy levels high and allow us to complete tasks with more concentration later in the day.
7) Set Realistic Goals. We don’t need any more pressure of unrealistic expectations of what needs to be done each day. We should set achievable goals that are reasonable given our current situation/circumstances. This way, no matter what happens at least positive progress is made each day towards bigger goals or tasks.
8) Gimme The Night. Use evenings when most people would usually wind down to catch up with any outstanding work or get ahead with planning future projects. This can also be a good time for creative thinking (but you may want to turn off the television) and who doesn’t love staying up late? Not us.
9) Plan Ahead. Making plans can also motivate us. This includes making lists, prioritizing tasks, and preparation for calls and meetings. This can be done before bed for the next (not too early) morning.
10) Have A Morning Routine. Yes, a morning routine (or a waking routine) is important even for non-morning people. Some combination of meditation, visualization, and exercise helps release neurotransmitters, which boost energy. A routine helps us clear our minds and focus on a positive outlook for the rest of the day–even if our routine doesn’t start at the break of dawn!
In the end, its most important to find ways that work for ourselves, and not forcing ourselves to wake up early to start our days. We can work in the evenings or schedule our days around our natural sleep/wake patterns. There is no such thing as an ideal time for everyone to be the most productive.
As always, we hope readers of Betterlifeafter50.com will find this information helpful, and we invite your questions and comments below.
The article presents an interesting perspective on the concept of being a morning person after 50. It highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and encourages readers to listen to their bodies and find a routine that works best for them. You also provide some helpful tips for those who want to transition into becoming a morning person. Overall, it’s an informative and inspiring read that reminds us that we can still make positive changes in our lives, regardless of our age. Thank you for this amazing post.
Thank you for your comment. Are you also not a morning person?
Thank you for sharing these helpful tips! As a fellow night owl, it’s reassuring to know that we can still be productive and successful without conforming to the early bird mentality.
Let’s celebrate our unique circadian rhythms and focus on maximizing our productivity during the times that work best for us. Your suggestions are practical and empowering. Keep up the great work!
Haha, I am not a morning person at all, and I am 51 years old 🙂 . The advantage of working online is for me that I can sleep in whenever I want to and work at an hour of my choice, even though this means that I sometimes get to work only in the evening or even at night.Using productivity apps is a very good idea though to keep track of productivity, are they easy to use?
That’s great Lizzy! I think the most important thing to remember is to embrace it! No one has to be a morning person–life is too short!