If the early bird gets the worm, then perhaps rising before the sun may indeed reap some benefits for the average Joe as well. In fact, many successful entrepreneurs and businessmen attest to the advantages of getting an early start on the day.
However, those of us who don’t like to get up with the rooster may not see the advantages of early mornings right away. If you find yourself fighting your alarm clock each morning, consider these reasons to become an early riser every day.
Hello to Your Health
While there may not be any documented health benefits to rising early, the additional time in the morning does provide the opportunity to adopt some healthy habits that you normally cannot fit into your day.
For example, an extra 30 minutes in the morning is sufficient time to prepare and enjoy a healthy breakfast – the most important meal of the day. Rather than grabbing a bowl of cold cereal or (gasp!) a donut from the box at work, you can prepare fresh fruit, home-cooked eggs or old fashioned oatmeal. Many studies have shown that a nutritious breakfast is the key in a healthy metabolism and an alert mind throughout the morning hours.
An extra hour in the morning is plenty of time to take a walk or begin a yoga routine. If you make time for exercise as soon as you wake up, you will be more likely to stick with your workout program over the long haul.
Exercise first thing in the morning wakes up your body and your mind so you are ready for a positive, productive day. If you choose a meditative workout like yoga, the quiet of the early hours is the perfect time to really focus on your workout and get the full benefits without interruptions or distractions.
Bye-Bye Stress
Anyone who has missed the alarm and rushed to get out of the house on time knows how stressful this sort of morning can be. In fact, the early morning chaos often sets the pace for your entire day, keeping you running at top speed until you finally drop into bed that night.
Stress is exhausting and can lead to a host of chronic illnesses if it is left unchecked. There are plenty of reasons to eliminate as much stress as possible during the day, and getting up early is one way to do so.
Imagine a morning where you have time to enjoy the sunrise, linger over a cup of coffee, or even check a few items off of your to-do list. Just think how much better your days would motor along if you took the time to take command of your schedule before it began to control you. Early mornings when everyone else is fast asleep are the perfect time to knock off a few tasks without fear of interruption. The rest of your day is sure to go more smoothly if you give yourself sufficient time to properly greet your day each morning.
More Creativity and Productivity
Morning is awash in crisp freshness that naturally begets a creative spirit. Whether you are working on a painting, writing a novel or planning a celebration, the morning hours are sure to be a time when your creative juices are running high.
Get your free spirit working for you while your mind is clear and your body is refreshed, rather than waiting for evening, when the demands of the day have sucked much of your creative energy dry.
For the same reasons, the early morning hours are the perfect time to complete a task or finish a project. Your family members are less likely to disturb you if they are slumbering in dreamland, and your refreshed mind and body will work much more quickly during this time of day. If you have a specific task you are dreading, finish it up before breakfast, and then enjoy the rest of your day without the dreaded anticipation following you through.
No one said it was easy to rise and shine before the sun, but it is certainly a habit that can be cultivated in time. You can choose to work up to your earlier time gradually, or simply set your alarm to your desired time and know that each morning, it will get a little easier to arise at the first bell.
With so many benefits of early mornings, it is no wonder so many powerful people attribute at least part of their success to their “early to bed, early to rise” habit.
