The routine of a morning person illustrates that the advantages you gain by not hitting the snooze button far outweigh the extra hours of sleep.
There she goes, again — dazzling the boss with her great ideas and organizational skills. How does she do it? How do people like her accomplish so much more in 24 hours than most people? Her secret may be one that some of the most successful people share — she’s a morning person. This means she starts her day no later than 7 a.m. every morning.
The morning person’s routine illustrates that the advantages you gain by not hitting the snooze button far outweigh the extra hours of sleep. Here are four advantages you can steal from the habits of a morning person.
1. You’ll lose weight.
If you are committed to a daily exercise program, you may want to hit the gym sooner than later each day.
“Studies show that working up a sweat in the early hours of your day speeds up your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day, resist junk-food cravings, and reach for healthier options,” wrote contributor Lindsay Tigar in the article “5 Reasons Morning People Are Awesome.”
By completing your fitness routine in the morning, you are more likely to do it rather than waiting until later in the day when interruptions are more likely to occur.
2. You’ll be more productive at work.
Just imagine becoming the dream employee simply by waking up earlier each day. Studies show morning people are more reliable, better organized, and more alert. Morning people are also more proactive.
In the article “8 Surprising Health Advantages You Have as a Morning Person,” author Lauren Gelman referred to a Harvard Business Review report that surveyed a group of undergraduates and found that, “Morning people were more likely to agree with statements that reflect a go-getter mentality, such as ‘I spend time identifying long-range goals for myself,’ and ‘I feel in charge of making things happen.’ ”
By showing up to work mentally prepared to start the day, you are better able to take control of your to-do list. Try completing the more challenging tasks first when you are most energized and alert.
3. You’ll experience less stress.
Few things feel more satisfying than staring at a completed task list before lunch. By getting an early start on the day’s events, you can enjoy a stress-free afternoon.
“Getting to work earlier and accomplishing more tasks at a faster rate leads to having more time to spend with loved ones,” wrote Dr. Emma Gordon in the article “10 Health Benefits You Experience as a Morning Person.” “As a result, morning people may be more likely to have rich, rewarding relationships and harbor less regrets about work-life balance.”
By practicing self-discipline in going to bed and waking up at an earlier time, you gain the benefits of adequate rest and the peace in knowing you are maximizing your time in accomplishing goals.
4. You’ll be happier.
Dr. Gordon found that people who prefer to get up in the morning tended to be more optimistic, affable, conscientious and happy with their lives.
“For example, one study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found people who get up early were more likely to describe themselves as feeling in charge of their lives and more likely to agree that they spend a significant amount of time figuring out strategies for meeting their long-term goals,” wrote Gordon.
Don’t let Mr. Sandman rob you of a fuller, more rewarding life. By adopting the healthy habits of a morning person, you are waking up to better health, a more productive day, less stress and more happiness. It’s the stuff dreams are made of.
This article was originally published by the Daily Herald and republished here with permission.
