Did you know most of the top successful and happiest people of our time have one habit in particular in common with each other? Yes, most of them wake up very early.
Why...?
Because most of them report that when they start their day earlier, their productivity improves, as well.
A good way to prep the body for optimal health is to practice good "wake" and "sleep" habits.
A way to do this is to follow cycles around us found in nature, like the rising and setting of our sun, and being mindful of the natural phases of our moon. These two incredible celestial markers help to regulate the circadian rhythm in our body (which then help our digestive, energetic and hormonal system functioning as well).
If we set into practice waking when the sun is rising, eat our meals and move our bodies during the day when the sun is shining, and go to sleep when the moon appears in the sky (and the sun is set), then we can get on a much better and effective schedule that promotes a better quality of life overall.
So if you are striving to be more productive, get up earlier each day (even on the weekends), and take advantage of early morning hours to enjoy greater productivity.
Side note: It’s important to remember, though, that getting up earlier won’t benefit you if you’re suffering from sleep deprivation. Ensure that you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. You may need to shut down the electronics earlier in the evening in order to get the rest you need.
Also consider this: going to bed earlier likely won’t cut down on your productivity, because most of us aren’t particularly productive in the late evening hours as we relax after the day’s work is done.
Here are some sweet suggestions to consider when trying to find the right motivation to get your day started off on the right foot:
Start Your Day With A Cold, Crisp Apple. Many people are unsure about which foods to eat in the morning, and usually grab their trust cup of joe in the morning. Instead, reach for a cold, crisp apple which will provide you with the perfect "crunch" and zing to get your energy up and running. Aside from the good source of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C it provides, the fructose will not lead you to an energy crash like coffee will a few hours later. If you’re looking to get an early start on your day, eating apples, or most fruits can be one of the better ways to start your metabolism. Remember: Fruit has very fast-digesting sugars and complex carbohydrates to provide great sources of energy.
Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier each week (until your desired wake time is reached). One of the biggest difficulties you may face with getting up earlier is that you may try to wake up at the crack of dawn on the first day, feel exhausted, and then give up quickly. Remember, daylight savings is coming in November this year, and most of the United States will gain an extra hour of shut eye (yay!), but as a nice practice, go ahead and start setting your alarm to give you a little more "breathing" room so you are not feeling frantic and stressed in the morning.
Set morning goals. Once you’re up early, it's time for you to start getting some extra work done. For your best results, create a to-do list each evening. That way you already have your tasks set out for you each morning when you wake up, so you can get started right away.
Take a few moments to meditate/set positive intentions for the day. Writing in a gratitude journal about what you are grateful for each day is one of the best habits to adopt when trying to rewire the mind into a "winning" and "motivated" mindset. Taking even just 5 minutes to close the eyes before reaching for your phone or turning on the television is setting yourself up for success.
Begin your day with a workout. ok, so you knew that was coming right? But it can be any type or level you like....just start your day with getting your heart rate up, metabolism firing. Join me anytime at Burnalong for lots of different classes, 8 minute abs, quick power core.....
Waking up early is one aspect of our lives that we can all work on, but it can be difficult to get started, so take your time to work on a new schedule and allow yourself to feel comfortable with an early start. Chances are, your body will love it.
Feeling motivated and productive is a common desire for most of us, and waking up early is one habit in our lives that we can all work on.
Though it can be difficult to get started, just try incorporating a few of my tips and take your time to work on a new, better schedule that will allow yourself to feel comfortable with an early start.
Chances are, your body and your mind will love it!
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