Image by agroffman via Flickr
To wake up – do the opposite of falling asleep!
- start thinking of something,
- start making noise,
- start moving
I have researched on the internet a bunch on how to wake up and no one seems to know about this technique.
When trying to fall asleep you want to calm your mind, be quiet and still. If you do these things when trying to wake up you will be sending the opposite message to yourself.
Think of something – I have tried counting to ten slowly, then again faster, then again faster until my brain gets up to speed. Sort of a brain motor warming up exercise. This is just a test of the brain CPU and operating system software so to speak. Try thinking of random things, types of animals on a farm etc. Don’t worry if you do not increase awakeness at this stage, the next exercise will take case of that.
Move and Make Noise – Get a drum or a pad of paper or something and start playing it like a bongo slowly, then gradually speed up the tempo until you are really goovin’. (this accomplishes both the noise and the movement part). This is really where the action is! Even if my brain will not fire up very well from step 1, step 2 will launch awakeness. Drag the drum into bed and just start tapping out a simple beat on it. Get at least a finger from each hand involved. Then as you climb towards awareness, start hitting the drum a bit harder and try a different more complex beat. If you progress to where you can sit up a play you have pretty much made it awake. Congratulations!
Now get up and blow a horn – or – if you might disturb someone put a pillow over your face and yell loudly something fun!
I have only just discovered this, but I think it will work on a pretty consistent basis.
If you want to read what I think is also a good expose on waking up try Steve Pavlina’s post at http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/04/how-to-get-up-right-away-when-your-alarm-goes-off/
Steve’s post is pretty long, but I believe he has some good points. Better than the other standard tips I’ve read.
Start of a New Day 
I like this idea. I used to play the drums, so maybe I can try waking up to rudiments.