I tried TikTok’s ‘5-4-3-2-1’ wake-up hack to see if it could fix my sleep schedule

As if you needed reminding, the start of another uni term is nearly upon us. Around this time every year, I tell myself to grab the opportunity for a new start, set good habits, and prepare for upcoming deadlines and reading.

For some reason that never seems to happen: By November I’m back to lie-ins and 9ams are a thing of the past.

But after coming across TikTok’s “5-4-3-2-1 method” during a typical doomscroll, I thought this could be the solution to my dark autumn morning lulls. It was coined by an expert in mindset and behavioral change, Mel Robbins, and everyone’s been raving about how it’s the only thing that works to get them out of bed.

What actually is the ‘5-4-3-2-1 method’?

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5, 4, 3, 2, 1…get up! Try this simple 5-second rule to motivate your body to move. ————————🗿—————— 🎥 Credit: Mel Robbins ————————🗿—————— #mindoverbody #sleephack #mindhack #wakeinthemorning

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The 5-4-3-2-1 wake-up hack is a simple hack for breaking through procrastination and sluggishness, especially when you’re getting out of bed or about to start a task you can’t be bothered with.

The idea is pretty straightforward: Count down from five to one, and once you get to one you have to immediately act, whether that’s standing up or starting a task. The quick countdown is supposed to disrupts your brain’s habit of stalling or overthinking, getting you out of bed so quickly that you don’t have time to register how much you’d rather lie in.

Instead of thoughts of your to-do list and last night’s episode of MAFS kicking in as soon as your alarm goes off, you can focus on your countdown and jump straight up. It sounds pretty easy right? I guess we’ll see.

Day one: I started off feeling hopeful

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The hardest thing about trying a new habit can be remembering to do it. To make sure I actually did the challenge instead of starting the morning with my usual doomscroll, I spent the whole evening reminding myself I was doing it.

Turns out I was very, very wrong about needing to remember. I ended up spending half the night wide awake, my mind playing over the million ways I could do the countdown again and again.

I guess that explains why I woke up ages before my 8:30am alarm (I can’t pretend I don’t like a bit of a lie in), so I caught up on messages before trying the 5-4-3-2-1 method for the first time.

I was impressed – it actually ended up working really well, and I had a super relaxed morning. There was even time to chill and catch up on the start of last night’s episode of the Great British Bake Off before starting work.

The only downside was that it left me feeling a little sleepy for the start of the day. I’m definitely more relaxed (which doesn’t happen often since I’m a bit of an over thinker), but who knows if that’s because I got up earlier, or because of the nostalgic vibes of back-to-school week?

Day two: I had the best night’s sleep in ages

I cosied up in bed with my book

I decided to give myself the self care night of my dreams to try and make sure I slept a bit better. After my everything shower, I cosied up in bed with a book and was asleep by 11pm – which was actually bliss.

I ended up having the best night’s sleep in ages, snoozing deeply when my alarm woke me up at 8am. After stretching for a few moments, I was able to jump right out of bed after my countdown.

My new morning routine set the tone for the rest of the day, too. I had the best time at work, cosying up with a warm autumnal soup for lunch.

Plus, I had loads of energy left by the end of the day (I can confirm crocheting to Gilmore Girls is the dream way to spend a September evening).

Day three: I even squeezed in a walk before brekkie

It was super easy to drift off to sleep

My dreamy evening wind down made it super easy to drift off to sleep. Not to brag but I woke up feeling radiant, jumping straight out of bed before my alarm with the help of TikTok’s 5-4-3-2-1 method.

I slipped in to my brand-new, super productive morning routine, squeezing in a walk before breakfast. Buzzing with so much I’d already got done in the morning, I felt more confident for the rest of my day, which gave a real boost to my self esteem.

So, is it a game changer?

Over the past few days, the 5-4-3-2-1 method hasn’t just changed my mornings; it’s changed the way I approach the whole day. I’ve been super productive and ticked so much off my to-do list. I’m not as tired as usual now that I’m naturally going to bed earlier.

But it’ll be interesting to see how this start to my new routine holds up when everything gets busier, and late night library sessions start taking a toll. There’s no promises the habit will stick around, but it’s definitely got potential.

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