There are two polarizing types of sleepers in the world:

Rising and falling with the sun, those who follow “early to bed, early to rise” from the day they are born, are the Early Birds.

Staying up long into the night, never willing to until the sun is brightly hanging overhead, are the Night Owls.

The feud between these two extreme lifestyles is a matter for another time. For now, here are five tips for Night Owls who are forced to work an Early Bird schedule.

Prepare in Advance

When trying to function at a different time than normal, your mind won’t be at its sharpest. Prepare everything you’ll need the night before when your mind is still clear. Pack your bag, choose your clothes, pack a lunch, etc. That way, when you stumble around getting ready in the morning, you won’t even have to think about what you’re doing. Everything you need will be right where you need it.

Eat Wisely

What you eat can affect you greatly. If you need coffee to get you through the early morning hours, have some ready. Don’t rely on a donut or two to provide the sugar you need for your morning. You need to eat a hearty meal. After all, you’re eating breakfast earlier than usual, so lunch is probably farther off.

Sleep Early

For those who are used to staying up late, it can be hard to fall asleep early. But if you want to function at your best, you need to force yourself. If you’re not feeling tired enough to sleep, do some late-day exercise an hour or two before bed. That way, your body will be more willing to rest. Even if you don’t fall asleep right away, getting an extra hour of rest will be helpful to being energized in the morning.

Stay Positive

Your mind can dictate your your body works. If you tell yourself you’re tired and cranky, you’ll remain tired and cranky. Find ways to motivate yourself through the morning, and always look on the bright side, even if the sun isn’t out yet.

Keep Going

Don’t even try to think about going back to sleep. If you want to wake up early, snoozing the alarm and going back to bed isn’t going to be much help. It doesn’t matter if you have to roll or crawl your way around your room, you need to keep going and get ready to start your day.

Fellow Night Owls, the morning may be an eternal struggle, but these five tips will guide you towards the path of success. Spread your wings and fly off into the dawning light!