Naturally an early bird, I’ve always found it easy to wake up well before 6 a.m. While I’m not going to preach to you about how waking up early will change your life, I will share a few reasons you ought to try it.
Trust me — I’m not going to tell you to wake up at 4 a.m. even if you hate it. I’m just encouraging you to try waking up a little earlier, whatever earlier means to you. (If you’re a night owl and have no desire to change, that’s perfectly fine, too!)
So here are a few of the best things about being in the early morning club:
1. It gives you time to enjoy the calm before the storm (er, workday …)
When you set your alarm early enough to give yourself 20 minutes of calm, quiet alone time, you’ll have the best opportunity to set a positive tone for your day. Whether you meditate, make a to-do list, or go for a walk, starting with time for your thoughts (read: no social media, emails, etc.!) will improve your mood and help you prioritize your day.
2. It allows you to take your time and be on time
Less rush = less stress. When you wake up earlier, you’ll have more time to exercise, eat breakfast, work on your side gig, or do whatever it is that you normally try to squeeze in before rushing out the door or getting started on your work-from-home day. For most people, it’s much easier to tackle your goals first thing than it is to fit them in after a long workday.
You’ll also have extra time to fit in anything you weren’t planning for. Traffic causing a 10-minute delay? No problem because you’re 20 minutes early.
3. It’ll help you create a better sleep cycle
When you wake up earlier, you’ll naturally fall asleep earlier, which will help you create a better sleep cycle. If you normally stay up until whatever time you feel like because the snooze button exists for a reason, you’ll make it harder for your body to get into a good routine. Instead, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
Now that I’ve given you some incentives to wake up a little earlier, I also want to arm you with a few tips to help make it happen. (You’re welcome!)
1. Start by waking up just a little bit earlier each day. If you’re used to sleeping in till 8, trying to wake up at 6 a.m. might be a shock to your system, and it probably won’t go so well. Instead, try waking up just 10 minutes earlier each day, slowly working toward that 6 a.m. alarm.
2. Perfect your nighttime routine, and focus on unwinding before bed. Instead of screen time and midnight snacks, try reading a book, listening to calming music, or dabbing a little Lavender Essential Oil on your wrists or neck. Enjoying a nice warm mug of Collagen Bone Broth is also a great way to wind down!
3. Make the morning something to look forward to. Before you go to sleep, give yourself an incentive for waking up early, whether it’s getting to use the time for an activity you love or treating yourself to coffee on the way to the office.
So, what do you think — are you ready to become an early (or at least an earlier) bird?
