Keep in mind that there are lots of "cues" you can use to tell your body it's time to wind down. Using these can help you to get to sleep at the right hour so that you're able to wake up naturally at the time you need to.
According to Hemalee Patel, MD, a physician at One Medical, it's important to avoid caffeine in the six hours leading up to bedtime, and to try not to eat or drink alcohol two to three hours before you plan to go to sleep. She also recommends making sure your bedroom is cool (around 65 degrees) and clutter-free, and using noise reduction devices if needed.
Even your workout routine can have an impact on your ability to wake up naturally on a consistent basis. "Exercise is crucially important for sleep cycles," Dr. Hartman told POPSUGAR. "Our bodies were designed to work eight to 10 hours a day, so when you don't work enough, you don't burn off enough cortisol and calories, and you don't produce enough muscle-based enzymes and hormones." Consider this just one more reason to squeeze in a morning or afternoon workout.
Still having a hard time drifting off when you want to? Dr. Singh recommends creating a wind-down routine — his go-to includes showering, journaling, reading, and breathing exercises for 10 to 15 minutes for each, prior to hitting the hay. "You can train yourself in an almost Pavlovian way to allow your body to see these activities as a precursor to sleep," he said.