7 Ways to Make It Easier to Get Up in the Morning Now That the Days Are Getting Shorter

As my mom has helpfully told me every day this week, today marks the end of Daylight Saving time. If you haven’t gotten the same daily reminder to turn back your clock and take advantage of a freely found hour, well, here I am! Turn back your clock! Enjoy your new free hour of the day!

The thrill of an extra 60 minutes of snooze time does, of course, come at a cost: It’s one sign that winter’s rolling in and daylight hours are shrinking. This can be wonderful (light shows! bonfires! stargazing!) but can also make it tough to hoist yourself out of bed and keep up your energy throughout the day. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your home a happy morning haven. Check out our tips below, suitable for budgets big and small.

For less than $50, you can outfit your bedroom’s light fixtures with C by GE smart LED bulbs that you can set to timed schedules—for example, on at 6 a.m., off at 9 p.m.—or control from your phone. They’re dimmable, too, and this set doesn’t require a bridge or other smart home device (though they can connect directly with Google Home and Alexa).

A sunrise alarm clock is a great option if you’re looking for a light that’s a little more gradual and natural. This under-$50 Philips one starts to softly glow 30 minutes before your wake up, which helps your body smoothly transition from your deep slumber; the high-end model connects to an app for even more light options.

Many drip coffee makers can be programmed to start brewing a cup at a certain time; if yours doesn’t have this function, a $30 smart plug connected to a smart home device allows you to turn on the maker without leaving the bed. The only bummer: You’re still going to have to be the one to fill in the grounds the night before. Still waiting for a robot to bring me coffee bedside!

This Brilli mirror—made to fit in your bathroom, but definitely chic enough for a bedroom—has a border of lights that mimic sunlight, a light warmth of about 5000K. Exposure to sunlight in the morning helps get your body energized for the day; this mirror seeks to give that effect even in dark, interior rooms. (Bonus: better-lit makeup looks.)

Commonly recommended by doctors for seasonal affective disorder, sleep disorders, or jet lag, light therapy can help give your brain the effects of sunlight when you’re not getting enough of it outside. Using a lamp like this under-$40 Miroco one during the day can help you sleep better at night, and in turn, wake up easier in the morning.

Falling internal temperatures—a couple degrees lower than the normal 98.6 degrees F—communicate to your body it’s time to wind down; in the morning, as your temp starts to climb back up, you’ll feel more alert. For a better rest, try blankets made to help keep you cool at night, like this weighted version from Bed Bath & Beyond. In the morning, hop out of bed and do a few jumping jacks or some squats to help your body warm up.

Hi, yes. We are living in the future. If you want to go the natural route with your morning sunlight, motor-powered curtains are for you. Automated curtain rods are on the pricey end, but can connect with Amazon Echo or Google Home so you can make your bedside robot do the curtain-opening.