5 Benefits of Being an Early Morning Riser

By Kate Mueller on July 14, 2014

via Flickr

As a freshman, everyone is excited about coming into college – the freedom, the independence, the new people and the nightlife.  That is, until you see your class schedule with “Baby Bio” at 8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  After the first week or so, you find yourself hitting the snooze button more and more, giving you just enough time to roll out of bed and get to class.  Then you start to learn you can skip class without much penalty.  By the end of the semester, you’re determined to NEVER take a Friday class again and you REFUSE to take an 8 a.m.

By the time you’re a senior in college you’ve got your schedule on point; you’ve got Fridays off and you’re sleeping in. But let’s take a step back for a moment. First off, you’re never going to have Fridays off again. So I guess take advantage while you can, right?  Remember those days in high school, when your parents were up at the same time as you, heading to work?  Yeah, that’s going to be you in a year.  Once you graduate, unless you have the best career choice ever, you’re most likely going to be forced to head into work somewhere between 8 and 9.  By the way, you’re not going to be able to go in your FSU sweatpants and hoodie – you have to actually look presentable.  You’re not allowed to just skip work, like you could class.  Pressing snooze is no longer an option. Looking back, I wish I would have taken more 8 a.m. classes.

1. Breakfast

via Flickr

We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s also one of the most skipped meals.  According to WebMd, eating a healthy breakfast in the morning gives you:

  • A more nutritionally complete diet, higher in nutrients, vitamins and minerals
  • Improved concentration and performance in the classroom or the boardroom
  • More strength and endurance to engage in physical activity
  • Lower cholesterol levels

Wake up with an extra 10 minutes early to cook some eggs and whole wheat toast.  Even if you’re in a rush, grab a banana and yogurt on your way out.  While a hearty breakfast would be best, something is better than nothing.

Sure, orange juice might be the healthier choice as a morning drink, but don’t think coffee is all bad for you.  Not only will it give you that extra waking up power, it also has some real health benefits. Coffee has antioxidants, essential nutrients and ingredients that fight depression, but caffeine can also have its downsides, so keeping it at one or two cups a day should be enough to get your morning going.

2. Exercise

via Flickr

Working out in the morning is one of the best ways to get your day going.  Not only does it give you that energy boost, but also helps you sleep better at night.  Those who exercise too close to bedtime have a much harder time falling asleep.  The health benefits like a boosted metabolism don’t hurt either.  Make it part of your morning routine, and soon you’ll be less groggy and more awake when heading into work, or that 8 a.m.

Having a set routine also helps you get out of bed.  It may take a little while to get used to, but set your alarm for the same time every day, and don’t skip or snooze.  Yes, lying in bed for the extra hour seems tempting, but think about all you need to accomplish that day and go after it.

3. Relaxation

You wake up after hitting the snooze button a few times, and then realize you’re going to be late.  You rush to get ready as fast as possible.  Then, you’re stuck facing the morning traffic and maybe even battling for a parking spot.  By the time you get into work and sit at your desk, you’re ready to relax.  The problem with that is the morning is when your brain is most sharp.

When you wake up, give yourself time.  Read the newspaper, catch the morning news, eat breakfast and work out.  Del Suggs, who has so many occupations I can’t even begin to give him a title, gave some of the best advice when he came into the Careers in Communication class.  His presentation was on “How To Do Anything,” and based on his resume, his advice really must work.  He said that when you wake up in the morning, write down three things you’re thankful for, and yes, write it down.  It gets your brain moving and gets you in a good mood because you realize that it’s pretty easy to find three things.  After all, you’ve worked hard to earn your education, you’ve put the time in at whatever internship – you got to where you are today and that’s a reason to be thankful.

Keep that journal outside of the bedroom, though. Force yourself out of bed – sit at the kitchen table, on the couch, anywhere except bed.  When we sit and hang out in bed, our brain gets used to associating “bed” with something other than sleep.  That’s also part of the reason why research is saying to keep TVs out of your room.  You get too used to watching TV in bed, that you disassociate bed and sleep.  Reestablish your bed, only stay in it for sleep.  Getting out of bed right after waking  up also keeps you away from that pesky snooze button.

4. More Sleep

via Flickr

We all know we should get eight hours of sleep, yet we just want to watch one more episode on Netflix, or you are so stuck in your nightly routine of staying up late that you don’t realize you should really close your eyes.  And we can’t forget about those long nights in the library, rushing to finish that paper or cramming to do well on a test.  Then you see the nightlife and parties, who wants to sleep when there’s so much going on, so much to do?

Getting the proper amount of sleep not only gets you more energized for the day, it improves your mental health, creativity and weight control.  However, there’s a thin line between getting enough sleep and getting to much sleep. S leeping for 10 hours and being in bed too long is going to make you even more tired throughout the day. Go to sleep early.  It may be hard to adjust at first, but once you keep waking up early, it’ll be easy to get to bed early, too.

Yes, I used to make fun of my parents when they would be snoring on the couch around 9 o’clock, but that’s going to be you one day too.  Sure, have nights where you go out, get a drink and catch up with friends, but don’t make that a routine.  Sleep is one of the most important things for your health and happiness.  Plus, you don’t want to be caught catching Z’s on your desk when the boss walks by.

5. More Productive

Waking up early, plus doing all the above mentioned, will result in more productivity throughout the day.  By lunchtime you’ve conquered so much and the refuel of energy will help you get through the rest of it.  The morning is when your brain is most alert and focused, so get your most important tasks done right away and save the emails for later in the day when you’re feeling a little less focused.

via Flikr

Stop hitting the snooze button. It’s been your friend for far too long now, and is beginning to bring you down.  Don’t worry, you can still catch the snooze button on the weekend but eventually you’ll stop needing an alarm clock altogether.  None of us like change, so take baby steps.  Hit the snooze once, instead of three times.  Start with waking up 20 minutes earlier to make breakfast, and eventually add in the exercise.  Mornings can be peaceful and a time to reflect, so don’t take them for granted because in the real world, you’re going to have to become friends with 8 a.m. again.

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