Just Five More Minutes, Please: 10 Lazy Ways to Wake Up Late!

Image by the author. Our cat; Lokum, Göp göp, Armut

How Can I Sleep In Longer? Practical Tips for Those Who Want to Enjoy Their Morning Sleep Start Your Day More Energetic by Sleeping More

Is there anyone who doesn’t love sleep or never says “Oh, five more minutes, pleeeaaaseee!” to those who try to wake us up?

I’m just like you. If it weren’t for my work hours forcing me to wake up early, trust me, I’d sleep as long as I could. Honestly, waking up early is hard for me too because I love sleep so much. So, let’s take a look at the lazy ways my sleepy self has found to wake up later.

1. Pack Your Bag the Night Before

You can handle most of your morning tasks the night before. Do you always forget something while trying to rush out the door every morning? This is why packing your bag the night before is such a great idea! If you try to do it in the morning, you might skip important details and end up running out with a half-packed bag. Keep your bag ready to sleep an extra 10–15 minutes in the morning!

My bag is always packed the night before. My laptop and charger are already in it. If I’m hitting the gym or going for a run after work, my towel, sneakers, shorts, moisture-wicking shirt, and even gym-friendly underwear are neatly packed in the order I’ll put them on.

Image by the author. Our cat; Lokum, Göp göp, Armut

2. Skip Breakfast

There’s no need to waste time in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Staying hungry for a bit when your blood sugar is low is good; it burns fat. Breakfast is ‘kahvaltı’ in Turkish. The word ‘kahvaltı’ literally means ‘before coffee,’ referring to the food you eat before having a strong Turkish coffee. We’re not the kind of fancy folks who eat snacks before coffee. Ask your grandparents if they ate three meals a day. Drink your coffee and move on! I assume you’ve already cleaned or prepared your coffee machine or French press the night before so you won’t have to wash it in the morning.

You could also invest in a timed coffee machine and wake up to the smell of coffee. Immm

For a while now, I’ve been eating two meals a day, which naturally gives me more time in the morning for sleep. My blood tests show no issues. I don’t lose energy or productivity, and I get more sleep. I also prepare my own food the night before because I find the company food too greasy. In the morning, all I do is grab my lunch from the fridge and toss it into my bag.

3. Choose a Minimal Breakfast

If you absolutely can’t skip breakfast, I totally respect that, but try to plan it the night before and prepare as much as you can. Making a sandwich? Put the ingredients together in the fridge. Boiling eggs? Leave the pot ready on the stove. I mean, we don’t even have the patience to look for the pot in the cupboard. The faster you can prepare it, the better.

Plan everything that will save you seconds. After all, seconds add up to minutes.

4. Lay Out Your Clothes the Night Before

Deciding what to wear in the morning is such a waste of time. Always pick out your clothes the night before and put them in a corner. And, definitely do your ironing the night before! If you leave ironing for the morning, you’re already late. You can’t rush ironing (unless you’re Nare Buse Gürak Develioğlu, of course. She’s a superwoman. She manages it. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I swear)! If you do your ironing on Sunday for the entire week, you won’t have to think about it all week.

The easier it is to get out the door, the easier it is to get out of bed quickly.

I wake up, take a shower, get dressed, make my coffee and pour it into my thermos, grab my lunch from the fridge, toss it into my bag, and “Tadadadam!”, I’m ready to go. Even if I wake up just 20–30 minutes before I have to leave, that’s enough time for me to get ready. How easy and nice, right?

Packing my bag, setting out clothes — trust me, it’s not because I’m obsessed with order, discipline, or rules… etc. I do this because I’m lazy. I want to sleep more and not forget any important details. Also, I’m not a Virgo, I’m a Sagittarius. So don’t get any ideas, I can hear you. My rising sign is Sagittarius, too. Isn’t that obvious from the tone of my writing?

5. Invest in a Comfortable Bed and Pillow

A comfortable sleep is key to everything. Don’t hesitate to invest in a good bed and pillow. When you sleep on a quality bed, you wake up feeling refreshed, giving you the chance to sleep longer without disrupting your sleep. Pillow choice is especially important. The right pillow supports your neck health and helps you wake up feeling more rested. It makes you feel like you’ve slept longer than you actually have.

Image by the author. Our cat; Lokum, Göp göp, Armut

6. Develop Routines for a More Peaceful Sleep

Yes, my dear reader, your mom is right. Always brush your teeth before bed. Poor oral hygiene can reduce your sleep quality. Bad breath can cause dry mouth during the night, making you restless without even realizing it. Personally, I find it hard to sleep without brushing my teeth because when I don’t, it feels like there’s a fireball in my mouth. Having a clean feeling in my mouth is crucial for me to fall asleep. Ever since I had braces in college, I’ve always brushed my teeth every night and then drank a little water so that the refreshing feeling lasts until I fall asleep.

Brushing your teeth also signals your brain that it’s time to sleep. Establishing pre-sleep routines can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep. You can also try meditation or relaxation exercises before bed. There are many studies and articles about pre-sleep routines.

You know how they say your sleeping space should be dark. Well, I personally prefer thick curtains that make the room pitch dark even during the day. But if you want a more peaceful sleep, you can use a sleep mask or earplugs. As I mentioned in the comfortable bed section, better sleep means waking up easier and feeling more rested.

7. Dedicate At Least One Weekend Morning to Sleep

Even if you wake up early during the week, make weekends your reward, your permission to sleep in. Pay back the sleep debt you’ve accumulated during the week. Avoid scheduling plans for early in the day — even at noon. You might still have to wake up early to prepare and commute. Stay home, rest well. Laze around at home all day (you can do your weekly laundry, ironing, and meal prep, but don’t leave the house). Don’t dive into the city’s hustle and bustle. Do simple household chores to engage the part of your brain that doesn’t work during your job and let your mind rest.

What’s this point doing in this article? Sleep with a more rested mind so you can wake up feeling more refreshed.

8. Set Your Alarm to a Melody You Love

Taken from Soha’s own Youtube channel.

I once discovered a song that my sister used as an alarm. “I could never wake up to this, but it’s so beautiful. Please send it to me!” I remember saying. I’m no elf, how could I wake up to that? I’d listen and say, “Oh, forget work, birds, bugs… Sohaaa!” and go back to sleep, but I do recommend it. A gentle, sweet tune might make waking up more peaceful, convinced and calm (if you can actually wake up, of course 😊).

On the other hand, look at my alarm that is heavy metal, and I admit, it’s pretty weird. I cut off the part where Ozzy screams at the beginning, but that guitar intro… Ooh! If you try it, keep the volume low — trust me on this. Don’t play it in public!

Ozzy Osbourne’un kendi Youtube kanalından alınmıştır.

9. Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode

Don’t let group chats and “Good morning” messages wake you up early or interrupt your sleep. For me, if I wake up an hour early, I can’t go back to sleep. Putting your phone on airplane mode helps ensure uninterrupted sleep and gives you a more peaceful morning.

10. Shorten the Time It Takes You to Fall Asleep

Sometimes it takes a while to actually fall asleep after lying down. This is a more serious issue that would require a whole other article, and I’m definitely not an expert. However, I can share a few little tricks I use myself. Certain herbal teas can help, and developing routines, as I mentioned earlier, is also helpful. While you’re still brushing your teeth, your brain knows that it’s time to sleep.

You can try light exercises to tire yourself out, like doing 10 push-ups before bed. Let’s go… You can do it!

Bonus: Make sure to put your phone far away

My dear lazy friend, this is the most annoying but the most crucial tip, which is why I saved it for last. You absolutely have to wake up when you set that carefully calculated alarm. If your phone is close by, it’ll be easy to turn off and go back to sleep. If you snooze and get up 10 minutes later, you’re already late. And if you turn it off, well, you’ll probably show up to work in the afternoon.

I once showed up to work at 11:45, and 15 minutes later, I was off to lunch. One of my readers, who is also my colleague, witnessed something even worse — She saw me arrive at 9:45 and take a break at 10:00. I can hear your cheeky giggle as you read this. You’re the best

Image by the author. Our cat; Lokum, Göp göp, Armut

Conclusion: Value Your Sleep

In conclusion, there are many simple but effective ways to sleep in longer. Small habits like packing your bag the night before, simplifying breakfast, and choosing a comfortable bed and pillow can make your mornings less stressful and more peaceful. Scientific research clearly shows the positive effects of sufficient and high-quality sleep on your health.

There were times when I thought I had to sacrifice my sleep to get to work on time, but I realized that this sacrifice actually made me less productive throughout the day. Now, I prepare a little the night before, and it allows me to get ready for work without stress in the mornings.

(Alright, let me take myself seriously for a moment.) Remember, sleeping in isn’t just about being lazy; it’s also about giving your body and mind the rest they need. Sufficient sleep is essential for both your physical and mental well-being.

Ultimately, sleeping in can be the key to a happier, healthier, and more productive life. So, review your own sleep habits and add comfort to your life by sleeping a few minutes more in the mornings, because sleep is one of the most valuable investments you can make!