Why You Should Wake Up at 5 AM Every Day

Some of the most productive people wake up at 5 AM. A recent Muse article highlighted the benefits of waking up so early:

• You feel like you’re winning just by waking up. Waking up at 5 AM is not always easy; it is a feat in itself. By waking up early, you are doing something right.
• You can set your own priorities. The average person wake ups between 6 AM to 7:30 AM. So you probably have one to two hours before your phone starts buzzing. You can use this extra time for yourself doing things you enjoy. You can exercise, meditate, listen to music, etc. So by the time you arrive to work, you are much happier, calmer, and more mentally and physically prepared for the day ahead.
• You are building discipline for other aspects of your life. Building discipline is like building muscle. It requires practice and by doing so, you are gaining more confidence in your willpower. By waking up early, you are building discipline that can translate into other areas of your life as well.

The article also offered several suggestions to help you wake up at 5 AM or anytime earlier than you normally do:

• Wind down earlier than you normally do. Avoid technology two hours before you want to fall asleep.
• Create a bedtime routine.
• Use tools and techniques to help you sleep faster. This can include deep breathing, visualization, or even a phone app.
• Get an alarm clock that is guaranteed to get you out of bed.