More than half of millionaires and 90% of successful executives wake up before 6 AM or an average of three hours before the start of the workday. I'm not a millionaire nor a successful executive - yet, but I do fit into this group that believes in the benefits of getting out of bed before dawn to engage in activities such as reading, organizing the day's tasks, or just having a healthy breakfast wile prepare the kids for school.
"Every day I feel is a blessing from God. And I consider it a new beginning. Yeah, everything is beautiful." ― Prince
I've listed here some benefits of waking up early and how it can help you have more productive days. But, even if you're not an early riser, changing your routine could improve your productivity.
Early risers tend to improve their productivity for a number of reasons, including:
1. It teaches you punctuality and self-discipline
Getting up at 5 AM is tough. If you can manage it, you're building up self-discipline. Our health needs to have a sleep schedule. When your body knows when to finish your day, it can be easier to fall asleep and wake up.
2. The extra hours will help you get things done just before others start
When you wake up at 5 AM, you start your day earlier than many people in the world — hence giving you a head start in your day.
3. Enhances your productivity
Waking up at 5 AM allows you to have extra time to organize yourself and plan the day ahead. This will enable you to be extra productive during the day and prepare you for the tasks you need to accomplish.
4. You will have quality time just for yourself
If you live with other humans — adults or little ones — getting up early could give you some much-needed time for yourself. When you wake up at 5 AM, you give yourself some space to improve and make progress as a person.
5. You'll improve your overall quality of sleep
Research shows that people who wake up early are better prepared for quality sleep when they sleep that night.
6. It helps you enjoy quiet time
Sometimes, I'm surprised at how peaceful the world is in the early hours of the morning. Waking up before the rest of the house can give you a few hours of alone time — sometimes much needed. Alone time is good for improving your focus, which helps your productivity and health in many ways.
7. More time to enjoy your family
Every extra hour you spend sleeping is an hour you could be devoted to something else more productive in your life. Sleep is essential; however, sleeping too much can reduce the day's production time. Waking up at 5 AM allows you a few more hours to get what needs to be done before the hectic day even begins. This habit can give you more family time in the evening or more time to relax after work.
How To Wake Up At 5 AM – Even If You Have Kids
Let's start by talking about what most people think about waking up at 5 AM – why on earth would anyone want to wake up at 5 AM? I mean, it will seem absurd to wake up so early every day unless you recognize the benefits and make it a habit.
When you wake up this early, you have time to yourself without being selfish. Instead, you can focus on self-improvement or taking care of your body. Do exercise. Eat a healthy breakfast. Feel no remorse that you're spending an hour on whatever is important to you, with no interruptions.
By waking up at 5 AM, you're expanding your quality time. You're going to feel more satisfied – because at 8 AM, when everyone else is just heading off to work, you've already been up for three hours. You've already been to the gym and cooked a great breakfast. You already feel accomplished. It's a great way to start your day.
Gradually move up your alarm time - Make a smooth transition. Start by setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier each day for the first week. Then gradually move the time up to when you want to wake up. To avoid waking up tired, you should go to bed a little earlier, always aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep (for adults).
Have a legitimate reason for waking up early - Waking up early shouldn't be a bad thing, and you'll be less inclined to think so if you have a motive that drives you to action - a motivation. Find motivation by using the extra time to do something that makes you happy, like reading or pushing that task ahead to finish your workday in time to go out with the family or enjoy a morning meditation that you never have. have time.
Reward yourself - Reminding yourself of the benefits of waking up early might be reward enough, but if not, there's always self-bribery. My reward used to be a tasty and healthy breakfast alone with my wife (toasts with guacamole! yum!) or watching the sunrise or going to the gym. Find something pleasurable for you, and allow yourself to do it as part of your morning routine.
Get out of your bedroom - Staying in bed after waking up can be tempting and will ultimately influence your goal of waking up early. Making your bed and leaving your room as soon as you wake up will give you a feeling of accomplishment, which is a great way to start the day.
Avoid blue light before bed - On weekdays, we turn off the TV and put the electronics to bed every night at 6:30 PM in my house. My kids know it's time to start our bedtime routine. We do this because you should not look at screens for 2 hours before sleeping.
Allow yourself the occasional lie-in - Take the pressure off weekends and days when you need to stay in bed a little longer, like when you're sick, slept late, or just want to enjoy the person you share your bed with. It happens, and it's okay.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol late at night - Going to bed overly full or drinking coffee or alcohol at night can cause digestion problems and make you alert at the wrong time – none of these are likely to help you get a good night's sleep. However, there's nothing wrong with a glass of wine followed by a special dinner with your wife over the weekend.
Have somebody to hold you accountable - Having someone with you join a healthy breakfast at 6 AM is stimulating. Find somebody to wake up with you to keep you accountable – that is much more powerful than any app out there.
Splash your face with cold water - This might scare you at first, but I do it constantly, and I can assure you that washing your face with cold water in the morning makes you feel like you've had an extra dose of caffeine.
Always look up out the window and say good morning to the new day, and be grateful for being able to get out of bed and be healthy to do whatever you want. Also, try going for a walk - kind of hard in the Canadian winter, and take advantage of the summer days to stay out beside your loved one and enjoy the warm weather.
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