5 ways to become a morning person

In an alternate universe, you would wake up bright eyed and beaming, all set to kickstart your day with a morning run; then there is the actual reality of your snooze-loving, sunlight-hating self, whose mornings are rushed, fast and furious. How do you switch to the perfect world?

Vogue tells you 5 ways to become a morning person and love those early morning rays hitting your face.

1. Morning potion. According to nutrition specialist Khushboo Thadani, a mug of hot water and lemon should be your morning elixir. "After 8 hours of going without food, this blend reduces acidity and flushes out toxins in the body," she explains.

2. Really wake up. Start your day with some kind of spiritual practise—it could be anything from 10-minute breathing exercises to a calming chant that soothes your soul.

3. Boost your energy to last you through the day without feeling tired. Thadani suggests breakfast that incorporates a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, fibre and a moderate amount of healthy fats. Try:

• Greek yogurt topped with berries, raw oats and walnuts
• Natural peanut butter on rye toast with an egg-white omelet
• Whole-wheat toast topped with avocado and 2 poached eggs
• Oatmeal sweetened with a banana and topped with toasted almond flakes
• Vegan omelet made from chickpea flour (besan) and a level tablespoon of coconut chutney

4. Sleep right. A restful night's sleep is as important as the necessary 8-hour snooze. Here are some ways to make it happen:

• Avoid drinking caffeine the previous day after 4 pm.
• Eat dinner at least 2 hours before you sleep for the sake of digestion.
• Sip on a warm cup of herbal, caffeine-free tea at night like camomile or ginseng, which, according to Thadani, are known to relax the system and reduce stress and anxiety.
• Switch off from technology at least an hour before bedtime—sounds impossible? All the more reason to follow this.
• A hot shower at night will relax your muscles and get you ready for a good night's sleep.

5. Love your alarm. How? Keep the tunes of your favourite violinist as your wake-me-up tone, or a forest bird's melodious singing—whatever gets your soul alive and kicking!