The Benefits of Waking Up Early: My Personal Journey

Waking up early has often been associated with high-achieving CEOs and the elite, but ten years ago, I decided to challenge this notion and see if waking up at 5 am could truly make a difference in my life. In this blog post, I'll share my personal journey, the surprising habits I developed, and the unexpected side effects of embracing an early morning routine. From improving physical health to enhancing time management skills, waking up early has had a profound impact on my life. So, if you're curious about trying out this habit, I encourage you to read on and discover the potential benefits of becoming an early bird.

You woke up, now what?

When I initially decided to start waking up early, I realized that the real challenge wasn't just getting out of bed, but rather how to utilize my time productively. As someone who had taken a year off from school and started work in the late afternoon, I found myself with a lot of idle time. So, I took charge and made intentional changes.

I began by signing up for a gym, even though it wasn't conveniently located and required a 40-minute bus ride. Despite the initial setbacks, I was determined to make it work. However, I soon realized that exercise alone wasn't enough, and I needed to revamp my diet as well. This led me to research calories and nutrition, and I slowly developed discipline in my eating habits, shaping my daily routine.

While I enjoyed going to the gym, I couldn't go every day. So, I started exploring other activities to do on my days off. That's when I decided to give reading a try. It started with books, then expanded to articles and blogs. Before I knew it, reading became a regular part of my new routine, filling my days off with knowledge and inspiration.

Strengthening habits

During my gap year, I developed several beneficial habits that continued to serve me well when I went back to school. I made sure to maintain my healthy diet and exercise routine, and I even added in a 30-minute reading session after waking up and enjoying my morning coffee. Prioritizing time management was crucial as well, especially since I had enrolled in a heavy load of 10 classes in my first semester. Juggling such a workload, exercise routine, and cooking nutritious meals for myself proved to be quite challenging.

However, I soon realized that waking up early had multiple benefits. It felt like having two days in one, as I could accomplish more during the day. Achieving my goals also gave me a sense of accomplishment and motivated me to set new, more ambitious ones. Moreover, making time to think about new ideas and goals during my morning routine helped me maintain a positive mindset throughout the day.

Another unexpected advantage of waking up early was the opportunity to spend quality alone time. Savoring a peaceful moment with my coffee or simply being alone with my thoughts became a welcome comfort in my early morning routine. Taking care of my mental health became an essential aspect of my early morning routine, and it positively impacted my overall well-being.

In the past 10 years, waking up early has become a consistent and indispensable part of my life. It has helped me develop discipline, improve my physical and mental health, enhance my time management skills, and achieve my goals. Along the way, I have learned valuable lessons about the importance of prioritizing self-care, setting realistic goals, and staying consistent in building healthy habits.

Some tips

If you're considering waking up early and reaping the benefits of an early morning routine, here are some tips based on my personal experience:

Start gradually: Don't try to abruptly change your waking time from late mornings to early mornings. Instead, gradually set your alarm clock earlier by 15-30 minutes each day until you reach your desired wake-up time. This will help your body adjust more easily and minimize the shock to your system.
Plan your morning routine: Have a clear plan for what you want to do in the morning. Whether it's exercising, reading, or simply enjoying a quiet moment, having a plan will help you make the most of your early morning hours.
Create a conducive sleep environment: Ensure that your bedroom is conducive to quality sleep. Keep it dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature to help you fall asleep faster and sleep better.
Practice self-discipline: It's easy to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep, but developing self-discipline is key to maintaining an early morning routine. Hold yourself accountable and resist the temptation to snooze or stay up late.
Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial to sustain an early morning routine. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet, and engage in activities that promote your well-being.
Be flexible: Life happens, and there may be days when you need to adjust your wake-up time or morning routine. Be flexible and forgiving with yourself, and remember that it's okay to make changes as needed.

Conclusion:

Embracing an early morning routine has been a transformative journey for me. It has helped me improve my physical health, enhance my time management skills, and foster self-discipline. It has also provided me with precious moments of solitude and self-care, and empowered me to set and achieve meaningful goals. If you're curious about trying out waking up early, I encourage you to give it a shot and see the potential benefits it can bring to your life. Remember to start gradually, plan your morning routine, create a conducive sleep environment, practice self-discipline, prioritize self-care, and be flexible along the way. Here's to early mornings and the possibilities they hold!