The Advantages Of Being An Early Riser - 3 Tips on how to achieve this.

Advantages Of Being An Early Riser

The early bird catches the worm, but are there any real advantages of getting up early? Or should you sleep in?

The most obvious advantage is that you can get more things done with more time. You can also plan your day rather than go in blind, boosting your productivity and orderliness for better outcomes.

This article explores the many advantages of being an early riser, with references to studies and expert opinions.

Let’s jump in!

Being an early bird is fantastic for mental health.

While adequate sleep is critical to maintaining mental health, oversleeping is detrimental to mental health.

Oversleeping increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes and makes you more susceptible to anxiety and depression.

A large-scale genetics study by Exeter University in 2019 backs this up, revealing that early birds have greater levels of happiness and are at a lower risk of depression than night owls (people who go to bed late).

Early birds are more productive and successful.

According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, early birds are more successful and productive than night owls.

A Texas University study also found that waking up early in the morning is a predictor of better grades in college – an important finding for academic success.

The Advantages Of Being An Early Riser, become a more productive person, pictured is a woman working on her laptop. — Pictured: Woman working on her laptop.

Another study from 2010 of 367 university students found that a higher percentage of morning people are proactive.

Early birds are fitter and more active.

Research published in Experimental Physiology in 2022 shows night owls have a poorer ability to use and burn fats for energy than early birds, increasing the risk of obesity and type-2 diabetes, irrespective of genetics.

The study also shows that early birds use more fat for energy at rest and during exercise than night owls – meaning if you want to lose weight, getting up early in the morning could be the trick you are looking for.

How to become an early bird

Another interesting finding is that early birds are more physically active and fitter than night owls, with night owls being more sedentary during the day.

Being an early bird benefits your mental health, fitness, and productivity, but dragging yourself out of bed is easier said than done.

The good news is that morningness and eveningness are changeable – you can change your approach to sleep for quick results.

Here’s how to become an early bird:

Get up at the same time every day

No matter how cold it is outside your bed or how much you can’t be bothered going to work, get up every morning at the same time.

Consistent wake-up times will tune your body clock over several weeks, making it easier to get up, thanks to circadian rhythm adaptability. Your body will learn to wake up at a set time, making it easier to get up with each passing morning.