“We’re making it our life’s mission to become 6 a.m. girlies,” TikTok-famous couple Maya and Hunter explain. But what does this mean, and should we all be waking up at 6 a.m.?
The concept came from the couple returning to in-person work. Realizing they needed to change their sleep schedule, they started by creating consistent routines that promote going to bed and waking up earlier.
Becoming “6 a.m. girlies” has now become a mini-series on their page and they’re sharing all the benefits and struggles of trying to wake up earlier.
How Did They Change Up Their Schedules?
In the first video, Maya and Hunter walk us through their specific nighttime routine. They start by making dinner at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., walking their dog at 7 p.m., having a yoga and meditation session to wind down at 8 p.m., and ultimately attempt to sleep at 9:38 p.m. (1)
For a 5 to 9 routine, it seems like they have a solid plan for achieving their goal of becoming, “6 a.m. girlies.”
Now their morning routine is where we see their first signs of struggle. In the second video of the series, they attempt to wake up at 6 a.m., but instead snoozed their alarm, ultimately waking up at 6:30 a.m. (2)
“[We’re] not making the bed right away because we’ve heard you’ve got to let it breathe,” Maya says. Instead they start their day by opening up their blinds, letting in the natural light, and making some coffee and tea. (2)
Following their beverages, they eat a light snack while journaling before their morning workouts. A quick cold plunge and one run later, their morning routine is complete.
“We may not be 6 a.m. girlies yet, but we were brave girlies who just tried their best,” Maya says. With any new routine, consistency is key and with waking up early (according to them), that means every day of week, including weekends. (2)
In the third video, Maya and Hunter wake up at 6 a.m. on a weekend and this time they’re able to wake up as their alarm goes off. They continued with a similar morning routine, but added in a nutritious breakfast and treated themselves to some coffee. (3)
The couple explains that the last part of becoming a “6 a.m. girlie” is having a good Sunday reset routine to prepare you for the upcoming week. This includes washing and changing your bedsheets, grocery shopping for the week, cooking a yummy dinner, journaling, and meditating. (4)
“We feel good, we feel ready for the week,” Hunter says. “Are you ready to wake up at 6 a.m. every single day?” Maya asks, to which Hunter immediately replies, “Noooo, but we don’t have a choice.” (4)
In some of their latest videos, we see Maya and Hunter continuing to follow their nighttime routine, even going to bed at 8:30 p.m. in one of them. They seem to have their routines down to continue becoming “6 a.m. girlies”.
Benefits of Waking Up Early
Early bird gets the worm, is a popular saying, essentially stating the earlier you start something the better results you’ll have, but does this include waking up early?
Dr. Ryan Sultan, professor at Columbia University and a board-certified psychiatrist and therapist, explains that there are a lot of benefits to waking up early including an enhanced productivity and focus, improved mental and physical health, time for personal reflection, and harmony with nature.
There are also tremendous benefits to your sleep, Sultan said. “Early sleepers often experience more consistent REM cycles, which are essential for cognitive functions and memory,” he told Sleepopolis. “A consistent early bedtime and wake-up time can be a preventive measure against sleep disturbances and the resultant mental health implications.”
Sultan points out that to wake up early it starts with nighttime preparations. He explains that planning for the following day includes writing down key tasks for the next day which helps to reduce morning decision fatigue. This also helps to alleviate anxieties about the following day by allowing you to not forget anything important.
Maya and Hunter were onto something by creating a relaxing nighttime routine. Adding in meditation or breathing exercises can help to improve your sleep quality immensely, Sultan said. And swapping out your phone for a book or light stretches can help your natural sleep rhythms, leading to better sleep.
How To Become a Morning Person
While this can seem like a daunting step, especially if you like to sleep in, Sultan explains three key ways to help you become a morning person.
Create Gradual Adjustments To Your Sleep Schedule
Instead of immediately trying to go to bed early and wake up earlier, start by adjusting your bedtime and wake-up time by 15 minute increments. Do this until you get to your desired time.
Consistency is Key
Our bodies thrive on routine, which means the more consistent your wake and sleep times, the easier it will be to become a morning person. Just like Maya and Hunter, this includes maintaining the same sleep schedule on the weekend.
Create an Inviting Morning Routine
Include something you look forward to in your morning routine. Whether it’s your favorite coffee, a book you love, or a luxe breakfast, having something you look forward to can make waking up early easier.
While girl trends like “girl dinner” or “girl alarms” have been taking over the internet, we think becoming a “6 a.m. girlie” could help you enjoy your mornings more. Let’s face it, who doesn’t love a fun phrase for waking up early!
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Sources
1. Maya and Hunter. TikTok. August 30 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7YRTm1/.
2. Maya and Hunter. TikTok. August 31 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7FvbHT/.
3. Maya and Hunter. TikTok. September 3 2o23. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7FKcaG/.
4. Maya and Hunter. TikTok. September 4 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7FwAdh/.
Sultan, Ryan. Personal Interview. September 2024.
