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FOUR WAYS TO MAKE GETTING UP FOR A SUNRISE ADVENTURE EASIER

bright, vivid sunrise with silhouette of evergreen trees

Whether or not you call it chasing sunrise, dawn patrol, or just too damn early; a sunrise adventure is always so rewarding! Driving on quiet roads, the stillness of the morning just before the sun rises over the horizon, an empty parking lot with no one around but you and the people you want to be with, maybe the lucky sight of wildlife, and of course the sunrise.

However, it is the actual getting up and out of bed when your alarm is nagging at you at way-too-early o’clock that is usually the hardest part no matter your good intentions; and no matter how much you want to get out there at a decent time to get a good start on your days adventures, there is part of you that just wants to be laying in bed on your day off until the early afternoon and make it a sunset trip. I totally get that!

To clear that groggy, just-woken up brain of yours so you can get out there and enjoy a full day of adventure, here are four tips on how to make getting up for a sunrise trip easier (and three reasons why you should give it a solid attempt to get out there for sunrise).

calm waters on a lake during sunrise

4 WAYS TO MAKE GETTING UP FOR A SUNRISE ADVENTURE EASIER

1. GET READY THE NIGHT BEFORE
Getting ready the night before makes the morning super stress-free, ensures that you haven’t missed anything as you are walking around your place early morning like a zombie trying to get everything together; but also makes getting ready faster and simpler as its all by the door waiting for you.

It is also a chance to check that any electronics you need to bring with you (GPS, camera, battery pack, etc) are all charged up ready to go, and you aren’t frantically looking for that piece of gear you stuck in the wrong bin when you got back last time and were too lazy to put things away properly (Hey, we’ve all been there – no judgement). Come your early morning wake up call, all you need to do is roll out of bed, get ready, grab your gear and away you go!

Pro tip: Create checklists for your adventures for everything you bring with you, so when you are packing you won’t forget anything.

2. HAVE A PLAN AND BE ACCOUNTABLE
Sticking to a strict plan to be up and out of bed by a certain time, and then break up each morning task to be completed by a certain time will keep you on track to get out of the house and on the road by the time you wanted to actually get out the door (and maybe even a few minutes early if you want to give yourself a challenge!)

If you think getting up is going to be hard for you, plan to go with a friend. This way you have no choice but to be accountable. Don’t be that jerk who doesn’t show up.

3. GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP
Getting a good night sleep is an obvious step, but a very important one. Get to bed early so you still get your optimum hours of sleep in. You don’t want to be driving while tired, nor do you want to be tired all day while exploring the outdoors.

Also, don’t play on your phone or watch tv until you fall asleep. It messes with your body preventing you from getting a good rest.

4. DON’T HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON
It is all too easy to hit that snooze button, but try to resist. Keep your alarm out of arms reach so you have to get up to turn it off. Once you are out of bed, there’s no turning back. Get up and enjoy your sunrise adventure!

bright sunrise with blue clouds over a field

BONUS: 3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GET OUT THERE FOR SUNRISE

Aside from the sunrise itself, as that is reason enough. Here are 3 reasons why you should get out there for sunrise:

1. PEACE AND QUIET
If you are like me, and head into the wild to escape the city and recharge from your daily life heading out someplace busy isn’t going to be fun. I hate crowds, and sharing my moments of rejuvenation with a bunch of other people. Sunrises are quiet, usually just yourself and who you came with (and a few other folks). It’s nice to enjoy the moment in peace and quiet.

2. MORE TIME FOR ADVENTURES
If you have the full day off – super rad! You have more time for adventures and can stretch your day from sunrise to sunset; but waking up for sunrise may allow you to squeeze in a short adventure before work, other engagements or a full day of errands. Either way, you are making time for more adventure in your life which is always a good thing.

3. THE MEMORIES MADE
You are going to make more memories by getting out there, than sleeping in – you will remember hiking up the mountain reaching the summit just as the sun rises over the horizon, paddling across the still lake as the fog rises, hitting the mountain bike trail before anyone else gets there, or catching that early morning fish more than the silly dream you had last night. Get out there and make some memories!

What sunrise adventures or activities do you enjoy going after when waking up early?

Until next time, chase the stoke!
– Tracey

Chase the Stoke Mountains

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