Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, which means it's time to set the clock back an hour and prepare for your body's internal clock to feel a little off-kilter for a few days. And while "falling backward" isn't necessarily as disruptive as "springing forward," it can be really hard to drag yourself out of bed when it's still dark — and cold — out.
But, believe it or not, there are plenty of people who make rising before dawn a daily routine. In fact, they're waking up while the night-owl types are staggering home — all to help the rest of us mid-morning risers get our days started.
We talked to three of Washington's coolest early birds — the women who bring us our first news of the day, coach us through early-morning workouts, and provide us with the crucial caffeine we need to get our hearts started (and, natch, manage to look polished and peppy while doing it). Ahead, some surefire advice for conquering your "just five more minutes" addiction and finally becoming a morning person — or at least someone who doesn't cringe at a 6 a.m. wake-up call.
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Who she is: Eun Yang, morning news anchor for NBC4
What time do you wake up, and what time to get to work?
"I have a recurring nightmare that many early risers have. You know the one. That’s why I set three alarms. The first one goes off at 2:20 a.m. (Most people gasp here.) And I'd better be up to turn off the last one before it goes off. I'm at work by 3:30 and on the air by 4:28. (This is a good argument for living close to work.) Getting up at that hour is really tough. Going to bed early may be tougher."
What time do you go to bed in order to get up that early?
"I have three young kids, and dinner, homework, soccer practice, and bedtime to contend with. I never get enough sleep. I aim for six hours. I usually get four or five."
How long did it take you to acclimate to getting up before most other people are awake? Do the later sunrises of winter make it harder, or are you just used to it at this point?
"I don't think you ever get used it. Can anyone truly acclimate to these crazy hours? It’s just not natural to get up in the middle of the night and start your day. In the summer, it’s hard to go to bed early when the sun is still shining. And in the winter, it's painful to get out of bed when you’re warm and cozy under the covers."
Tell us a little about your morning routine. How long does it typically take you to get ready to go?
"I wish I had an entourage to make me camera-ready in the early mornings, but I do it all myself. I've become pretty adept at styling my own hair. Although some days, it doesn't look like it. It takes me about 45 minutes to get out the door, depending on whether my little girl wakes up or I programmed my coffee maker correctly. I do my makeup at the station. And it is critical for time management and my sanity to pick out what I'm going to wear the night before."
What are your essentials for getting your day started? Are there certain hair or makeup products you rely on to look great in the morning?
"I need to splash cold water on my face several times every morning. This is essential. It says to me, 'Don't even think about crawling back into bed.' It also reduces puffiness."
How do you get your own news before the show?
"I check my phone at some point in the morning while I'm getting ready at home. I look for pressing emails and news alerts. I may be inclined to read an article on my phone while I'm drying my hair — I'm a multi-tasking master. Maybe I'll check Twitter. You get some odd and interesting posts at that hour. I listen to all-news radio on my short trip to work. Then I'm back online at my desk. I like to read the newspaper, too."
Overall, what are the best and worst parts of being an early riser?
"The worst part about being an early riser is the constant tiredness. But as my work day starts before most people, my work day ends before most people, too. It’s a great feeling to know when the weather is beautiful, I'll have most of the afternoon to spend time outside with my kids. And no traffic, of course."
Photo: Courtesy of Eun Yang
But, believe it or not, there are plenty of people who make rising before dawn a daily routine. In fact, they're waking up while the night-owl types are staggering home — all to help the rest of us mid-morning risers get our days started.
We talked to three of Washington's coolest early birds — the women who bring us our first news of the day, coach us through early-morning workouts, and provide us with the crucial caffeine we need to get our hearts started (and, natch, manage to look polished and peppy while doing it). Ahead, some surefire advice for conquering your "just five more minutes" addiction and finally becoming a morning person — or at least someone who doesn't cringe at a 6 a.m. wake-up call.
Who she is: Eun Yang, morning news anchor for NBC4
What time do you wake up, and what time to get to work?
"I have a recurring nightmare that many early risers have. You know the one. That’s why I set three alarms. The first one goes off at 2:20 a.m. (Most people gasp here.) And I'd better be up to turn off the last one before it goes off. I'm at work by 3:30 and on the air by 4:28. (This is a good argument for living close to work.) Getting up at that hour is really tough. Going to bed early may be tougher."
What time do you go to bed in order to get up that early?
"I have three young kids, and dinner, homework, soccer practice, and bedtime to contend with. I never get enough sleep. I aim for six hours. I usually get four or five."
How long did it take you to acclimate to getting up before most other people are awake? Do the later sunrises of winter make it harder, or are you just used to it at this point?
"I don't think you ever get used it. Can anyone truly acclimate to these crazy hours? It’s just not natural to get up in the middle of the night and start your day. In the summer, it’s hard to go to bed early when the sun is still shining. And in the winter, it's painful to get out of bed when you’re warm and cozy under the covers."
Tell us a little about your morning routine. How long does it typically take you to get ready to go?
"I wish I had an entourage to make me camera-ready in the early mornings, but I do it all myself. I've become pretty adept at styling my own hair. Although some days, it doesn't look like it. It takes me about 45 minutes to get out the door, depending on whether my little girl wakes up or I programmed my coffee maker correctly. I do my makeup at the station. And it is critical for time management and my sanity to pick out what I'm going to wear the night before."
What are your essentials for getting your day started? Are there certain hair or makeup products you rely on to look great in the morning?
"I need to splash cold water on my face several times every morning. This is essential. It says to me, 'Don't even think about crawling back into bed.' It also reduces puffiness."
How do you get your own news before the show?
"I check my phone at some point in the morning while I'm getting ready at home. I look for pressing emails and news alerts. I may be inclined to read an article on my phone while I'm drying my hair — I'm a multi-tasking master. Maybe I'll check Twitter. You get some odd and interesting posts at that hour. I listen to all-news radio on my short trip to work. Then I'm back online at my desk. I like to read the newspaper, too."
Overall, what are the best and worst parts of being an early riser?
"The worst part about being an early riser is the constant tiredness. But as my work day starts before most people, my work day ends before most people, too. It’s a great feeling to know when the weather is beautiful, I'll have most of the afternoon to spend time outside with my kids. And no traffic, of course."
Photo: Courtesy of Eun Yang