“Early to bed and early to rise makes one healthy, wealthy and very wise.”- Benjamin Franklin
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, 90% of the most successful business owners, executives and artists believe in waking up by 6AM in order to get the best start to the day.
Many yogi’s and meditators also swear by this practice as the energy in the early morning is said to be more peaceful and can stimulate creative flow.
Science has even discovered that those who rise early are more likely to have a positive day that is not only highly productive but also less stressful. Scientists also found that those who rise early are friendlier and more conscientious.
On the flip side, hitting snooze repeatedly or feeling like you constantly have a “case of the Mondays” is definitely a “wake-up” call to revaluate how you attempt your goals in life. It has also been proven that those who start their mornings with procrastination and frustration tend to carry that well into their day.
Waking up early is definitely a secret weapon that many swear by however, if the thought of loosing precious sleep is too much to bear, here are three simple steps that could make the whole process a lot more enjoyable:
1.) Optimal Dream Time:
It has long been believed that the average adult requires 8.5 hours of sleep each night however, recent studies show that our sleep cycle is in intervals of three hours and therefore getting either 6 or 9 hours of sleep is better.
While science may debate the optimal sleep time, listening to your body and understanding your individual needs works best. Try to discover how many hours of sleep work best for you and stick with that.
For the most restful night’s sleep, turn of all technology around 90 minutes before going to bed and keep your phone out of the room if possible.
2.) Hit the Ground Running:
Studies have shown that doing even five minutes of exercise first thing in the morning can help release serotonin, which can help make you happier and reduce stress levels. If exercise is not your thing, start your day with something you enjoy such as meditating, working on a passion project or spending time with your family. Knowing that you have something to look forward to when you wake up is also a great motivator to get you out of bed.
Avoid emailing or turning on technology during this time, studies have proven that those who go online first thing in the morning are usually distracted and less productive.
3.) Allow your Creative Juices to Flow:
Instead of spending your morning rushing around trying to get organized, have all that you need for the day prepped the night before. This includes having your lunch packed, your clothes ready and perhaps even the coffee machine ready to go.
This will not only allow you time in the morning to set your energy but it will also give you the opportunity to maximize your creative potential which is strongest in the morning.
When it comes to approaching tasks, do your most important ones first and avoid being tempted to do mindless or non-essential tasks that can be done at a later time.
So, never considered yourself a morning person? Give these steps a try and see if waking up earlier can enrich your life.
“Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”- Lewis Carroll
