It seems like everyone has experienced the feeling of waking up in the morning but not being able to move at all.

Even though I live in San Diego, a city where the sea breeze is always cool and the sunshine is warm, it's still hard to get up right after waking up in the morning.

Even when I open my eyes, I just linger in bed, fiddling with my phone, and before I know it, time has flown by. They say there's something called sleep inertia.

It takes about 30 minutes for the brain to fully wake up after being suddenly awakened from deep sleep.

So, even though my eyes are open, my mind is still stuck in a dream. My body feels heavy, and my head is foggy, making it hard to get up right away.

I call this time my "zombie mode."

Honestly, the first thing I grab in the morning is not coffee, but my smartphone.

As soon as I turn off the alarm, I open Instagram, check messages from friends, and watch a short video on YouTube, and suddenly, 30 minutes have disappeared.

It's all because of the dopamine loop. Every time I receive a small stimulus, my brain sends a signal saying, "This is good!" and I find myself reaching for it again.

In the end, my bed has become a digital playground rather than a place for rest.

San Diego has warm winters, making the inside of the blanket especially cozy. Living near the coast, the night breeze comes in cool, and by morning, the temperature under the blanket is just right.

When it's time to get up in such conditions, well... it seems like changing my work hours would be quicker.

If I went to bed late the night before or if the room is dark, my body automatically cries out for "just a little more."

The blinds that block the morning sunlight might actually be the main culprit in my daily life.

In fact, psychological factors cannot be ignored. When I have a lot to do today or have a schedule I'd rather avoid, I unconsciously want to stay in bed longer.

My body is awake, but my mind is not yet ready.

Sometimes, being under the covers feels not just comfortable, but like a refuge from reality.

In the past, I used to blame myself for being lazy, but my thoughts have changed lately.

This is not just a simple lack of willpower. It's a natural phenomenon where sleep inertia, dopamine loops, environmental factors, and psychological burdens all work together.

Since everyone has similar reasons for being lazy in the morning, I don't think there's a need to feel too guilty about it.

But if this continues, the day can get messed up, right? So I've come up with some small tips for myself.

Open the curtains as soon as you wake up
Getting sunlight helps the body wake up a bit faster. The morning sunlight in San Diego is especially strong.

Keep the alarm away from the bed
You have to get up to turn off the alarm, which forces your body to move.

Create a small routine
I've made it a habit to drink a glass of water and stretch for 2 minutes as soon as I get up. This small action makes the start of the day feel much lighter.

Lazing in bed in the morning is not laziness; it's something everyone experiences as a human.

However, by changing the environment and habits just a little, it can be improved significantly.

Like the sunlight in San Diego, I've recently started to realize that the mornings I wake up to can be more enjoyable than I thought.

So don't be too hard on yourself like I was, and try changing small habits first.

Changing small habits can create a better day.