Opinions aside, what really is the best time to wake up in the morning? Is hitting "snooze" all that bad? Let's face it—sleeping in feels great, and hitting the snooze button for a few extra minutes of precious ZZZs is worth it every once in a while. But as it turns out, the rising sun might signal the best time to wake up—and it has significant benefits for your health, your mood and your productivity throughout the day. Now that the winter season is coming to a close, early morning sunshine might be worth sacrificing the snooze button. Check out these lesser-known benefits of rising with the morning sun.
How you start your day sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Most of us are rushing off to long working hours day after day. If you're searching for the best time to wake up in the morning, rising with the sun could be the answer in terms of productivity. Doing so means you can complete smaller tasks for an extra boost of motivation—the same kind of motivation that will help you continue to accomplish bigger tasks throughout the day. Plus, since there are fewer interruptions in the early morning, rising early could leader to higher productivity. Emails, TV, kids, bosses — it’s less likely these distractions get in the way at 6am.
Getting up right when you wake = more time to conquer the day.
That lovely 9-minute snooze function on iPhones might seem like a good idea when our dreaded alarm goes off, but who actually feels more rested with a little extra shuteye in 9-minute intervals? Waking up earlier means being able to take your time, and not having to rush off to work or school drop-off. We cherish those quiet morning hours when we have time to drink our coffee while it’s still hot and, on an especially good day, getting to enjoy a hot shower. Having extra time is a critical part of a self-care ritual that can make or break the rest of your day.
More sunshine means a better mood.
Start your day by getting outside! Walk the dog or mediate by a window — whatever you can do to soak up natural sunlight. Sunshine helps your body maintain healthy levels of Vitamin D, which leads to higher serotonin levels. Serotonin is a main contributor to your mood, energy levels and happiness—so it's safe to say that sunshine = a better mood.
Endorphins and exercise helps keep energy up and moods lifted.
Start your day by immediately countering the effects of sitting all day. Most of us live a sedentary life between the hours of 9am and 5pm. What better reason to crawl out of bed and jump into some running shoes? Starting your morning with some sweat (and sunshine) will guarantee nothing gets in the way of your workout—which is a surefire way of keeping your mood up and your body healthy and ache-free. As the day goes on, more and more reasons why you can’t make it to the gym start piling up.
Be more in tune with your own circadian rhythm.
Embrace your 24-hour internal clock! Your body naturally gets sleepy around the same times every day, so don’t ignore it. Allow that to be a natural reminder to get some shuteye. We recommend creating a relaxing bedtime routine, since this helps your body wind down and fully relax. Your circadian rhythm works best once you develop regular sleep patterns, and your body wants to be on a schedule. Of course, make sure you support your healthy sleep schedule with a quality mattress designed for your unique sleep needs—no matter how early you wake, it's a worthy investment your body and mind will thank you for!
