Sleep expert shares simple trick in shower that can make you feel ‘alert’ in the morning

With the mornings only getting darker and the days shorter, you may be finding it much more difficult to get up in the morning.

Luckily, Burak Özdemir, founder of Online Alarm Kur, has provided expert tips on how to best wake up and feel energised in the morning as the sun rises later and the colder mornings creep in.

By starting your day on a positive note, you can boost your morning motivation, helping you feel brighter throughout the day.

Despite the colder temperature making you want to opt for a warm shower, Burak argues that it’s actually a cold shower that will be a game changer for energy levels and your overall well-being.

He explained: “Cold showers may seem daunting, especially on a frosty morning, but they offer great, revitalising benefits. Studies have found that cold water can boost circulation, enhance alertness, and even elevate your mood by boosting endorphins.”

If you’re not typically used to cold showers, Burak suggests slowly lowering the temperature for the last 30 seconds of your morning shower and gradually extending the time under cold water until it becomes your go-to each morning.

Even before getting in the shower, there’s one hack that can help you get out of bed – putting your alarm across the room from your bed. This small change forces you to get out of bed when your alarm goes off, preventing you from snoozing longer.

When going through your morning routine you may opt to listen to some music, and if this is the case then Burak advises adding 100-130 BPM songs to your playlist, as these can help energise you without overwhelming you first thing in the morning.

Suggesting some options, he said: “For pop lovers, Sabrina Carpenter’s number one hit, Taste, has a tempo of 113 BPM, perfectly within the range to give you that morning energy boost. For fans of more classic songs, Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1978 hit, September, clocks in at 126 BPM, and also ensures a positive and motivated start to the day.

“Not to mention, for people keen to lean into the season and get a jump start on the festive feels, the perfect Christmas tune to start the day off in the best way is Last Christmas by Wham! which has a BPM of 108. While other festive hits may provide more lulling effects, tempting you to stay snoozing in bed or even be too intense after you’ve just woken up.”

In the morning, you should choose an energy-fuelled breakfast, with Burak suggesting that bananas are a good choice as they are packed full of potassium, vitamins, and fibre.

Another option is picking oatmeal over sugary cereals, as this will help you avoid that mid-morning sugar crash. He further advises opting for wholemeal toast rather than white, suggesting that this can then be topped with eggs and/or avocado.