It pays to rise early!

Remember the famous saying? - “early to bed & early to rise, makes everyone healthy, wealthy and wise!” Early morning hours are considered to be the most undisrupted time of the day.

The time between 5 am to 8 am is the untouched part of the day. No phone calls, no demands, no feedback, no obligation. It is at this time that one can spend time on themselves, exercise, do some cardio, some yoga, etc.

A daily morning ritual and an early start to the day contributes towards better productivity.  You become aware of yourself and who you are, and what you’re trying to accomplish in life. You’re subconsciously practicing forms of mindfulness. It contributes towards being positive and staying happy throughout the day. A good workout in the early morning for instance can keep you energised all day and help you focus on work better!

Besides this, an early start to the day makes one more proactive and agreeable to other thoughts and inputs. By eliminating the need to rush in the morning you can reduce the stress in your life.

According to some sources, emotional well-being has a direct impact on physical health. One study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that people who start their day early were more likely to describe themselves as “feeling in charge of their lives.” Some of the most successful people in the world are known to wake up early.

So, how can you start your day early and make this a regular practice?

It is as simple as maintaining a daily ritual of brushing your teeth twice. Once you make it a habit, you will be able to see the changes yourself!

• Start by having a timely dinner, minimum 3 hours before sleep
• Try to stay away from cell phones, TV, iPads, laptops just before you sleep
• Avoid having caffeine post 5 or 6 pm so that you get better sleep
• Set a day and put an alarm. Start by waking up an hour earlier than you usually do
• Pursue activities that can boost your energy and productivity – choose what suits you best. Some people swear by their early morning brisk walks, others love their morning jogs
• Give yourself at least a week to get used to the new early morning ritual

A study published by researchers at Northwestern University also found that late sleepers were more likely to have an unhealthy BMI.

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