Why is it that although we know waking up early will increase productivity, add flexibility to our day, and ultimately make us feel better, we still are not willing to do it?

It’s easy to mention laziness, or poor discipline as the answer to not waking up early but I think the even bigger issue is not realizing the rewards and benefits of waking up early. So in this article I will name five.

To start I’ll give you all some background.

For as long as I can remember I’ve woken up at 5:30 in the morning, every, single day.

These days I wake up about an hour earlier but my base is always 5:30.
Meaning if I go out the night before and get back at 3am, my body will wake up at 5:30.

In that occasion, of course…. I’d go back to sleep however now you have a feel for the level of consistency my body operates at.

My first memory of waking up at that time is from daycare.

My parents would trek me about 25miles away from our home everyday across the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, CA to drop us off at daycare and be at work by 7:30.

I can tell you that it’s really grueling.

Early on I’d just sleep in the car on my way to school until I could get to school and sleep again until school started.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned a few tricks that completely enhance my morning.

Tip 1: Start with Water

Drinking water first thing in the morning will help rehydrate the body.

The six to eight hours of recommended sleep is a long period to go without any water consumption.

Drinking a glass or two of water right when you wake up, however, is a good way to quickly rehydrate your body.

Tip 2: Light Exercise

Working out in the morning is a lot like eating a morning breakfast. You burn more calories all day long just from the sheer fact of exercising in the morning. 

A study conducted at Appalachian State University also found that morning workouts are preferable if you want a better night’s rest.

Tip 3: Plan First

Planning helps you to be prepared for obstacles because part of the planning process is creating a contingency plan for unexpected problems.

Planning can greatly reduce your stress. Proper planning gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you have formulated a plan of action and that your goals are attainable.

Planning helps you to be prepared for obstacles because part of the planning process is creating a contingency plan for unexpected problems.

Planning serves as a way to evaluate your progress as you work. Planning your daily and weekly activities will clearly illustrate whether or not you are staying on schedule.

Tip 4: Split Your Time

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system that encourages people to work with the time they have—rather than against it.

Using this method, you break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. These intervals are referred to as pomodoros. After about four pomodoros, you take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes.

Tip 5: Meditate

Meditation is a habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts.

You can use it to increase awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Many people think of it as a way to reduce stress and develop concentration.

People also use the practice to develop other beneficial habits and feelings, such as a positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns and even increased pain tolerance.