Wake Up Early

Everyone wants to wake up early. It is considered a hallmark of energy, activity and productivity. Getting up with the sun allows people to experience the tranquillity of the dawn and start the day with a refreshed soul. It also gives people time to gather their thoughts and prepare for the day ahead. Yes, that is why everyone wants to wake up early. But the problem is, many of us cannot.

Conditioning yourself to wake up before the rooster crows takes dedication and intentional effort. Just setting alarms or asking your family members to end your sleep is not enough. That may work for a day or two but cultivating and sustaining a habit comes with consistent incremental changes. This means that if you wake up at 8 am every day, do not immediately force yourself to rise at 4 am. It will not work. The body resists any and all abrupt changes to its rest schedule.

Instead, set 4 am as your goal for the year and take gradual steps towards it by adjusting your wake-up time by 15-20 minutes every week.  Give your body time to adapt and acclimatise. 

Also, start going to bed earlier. It is not healthy to wake up at 4 am if you are going to sleep at midnight. So, try to reach your mattress by 9 pm. Establish a pre-sleep routine that helps your body wind down. This may include relaxing activities like meditation or breathing exercises. Books are great sedatives for some. In winter, warming up the room beforehand may help induce sleep.

Doctors suggest limiting or avoiding screens altogether before bed as they can disrupt quality sleep. It is a good idea to disconnect an hour before bedtime. It might be hard at first because of FOMO but if you will yourself into submission, eventually you will get used to it. The same goes for caffeine and other stimulants. 

Eating a heavy meal can also make the body uneasy. Those wanting a good night’s rest may perhaps want to opt for a glass of warm water or herbal tea. Similarly, maintain a comfortable level of luminance. Bright lights disturb slumber while complete darkness may not be ideal for some. So, a dim light may be the way to go. 

Another thing that can help you wake up early is having a reason to. If you absolutely need to rise early, perhaps for a class or a meeting, you will. So, give yourself a compelling purpose. Join a gym or invite your friends for a morning walk. Make waking up early enticing. 

Having something to look forward to in the morning will also enable you to wake up early. So, design your morning routine around things you love, like cooking, Yoga or writing. These rituals can create a positive association and make you naturally want to quit sleep to give yourself enough time to engage in your interests. But still, you will need an “accountability partner”. Have someone to do these activities with. It will make them more fun and you will not be able to bail on them just because you want to. Your friend or family member will ensure you adhere to the routine that they, too, gave up their sleep for.

And remember to follow whatever rituals you have set for yourself on the weekends too. Habit comes with consistency so do not allow yourself to sleep late on off days. Rain or shine, hell or high water, wake up early. This will also help set your body’s internal clock and after a few months, you will naturally lose the ability to sleep past a particular time.

Waking up early offers a plethora of benefits that can shape both personal and professional lives. One of the most prominent advantages is increased productivity. The mind is at its freshest during the early hours of the day. So, those who wake up early may find themselves able to tackle tasks with greater efficiency and clarity. Research has shown that people who wake up early are more proactive and more in control of the day.

Furthermore, the uncluttered morning mind is also great at introspection. Using the early morning to reflect on one’s successes and failures can help enhance strengths and correct flaws. It offers a chance for personal growth and mental nourishment.

So, waking up early is a habit we all must develop for a fit and healthy lifestyle. They do not say “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” for nothing.