Why You Should Wake Up At 6 AM
“It is in the early morning hour that the unseen is seen and that the far-off beauty and glory, vanquishing all their vagueness, move down upon us till they stand clear as crystal close over against the soul.”
— Sarah Smiley
I found that in the early mornings, I was the most productive. I have completed most of my errands and tasks for the day and can find more productive tasks to complete come around lunchtime. Waking up in the early mornings isn’t just about getting things done, though…there is a more profound and healthier truth to the ability to be an early riser.
Back in high school, I usually stayed up late until about 12 to 2 a.m. Having to wake up at 6 a.m. for school meant I was not getting enough sleep. I felt more sluggish, tired, and depressed during my days. I would have to repeatedly put myself through 6 hours of school and wrestling practice. Each day passed as I did not know why I felt so blech!
As I graduated high school and went through a massive self-transformation, I began to understand how our sleep is one of the most important parts of our well-being.
Healthline says longer, better sleep improves mood, concentration, and health. I realized that if I woke up at 6 a.m., I would have to go to bed earlier. If I were productive and accomplished things at 6 a.m., I would have no problem going to bed earlier. Once I began setting a time to go to bed, managing about 7 hours a night for sleep, my mood and way of life would improve.
When I began to obtain 7 hours of sleep, waking up was no obstacle. I would jump out of bed and get on with my day. I made a morning schedule for myself and started to cut away errands that would normally take all day to complete.
As an introvert, I struggle in social situations and stay engaged. Waking up in the early hours, when most of the world is still asleep, gives me a few extra hours for myself. These extra hours allow us to begin self-healing practices like meditation or journaling. I enjoy yoga and meditation, which help me ground myself for what this day offers.
This has changed my way of viewing my life and the world around me. It has helped me not get lost in today's chaos and remember to stay grounded. Harvard research found that waking up an hour later, compared to waking up later, decreases the risk of depression by 23%.
This world is fleeting but heavy at times. We can become obsessed with everything at once. That extra hour can change the rest of our lives. Once I began sleeping longer, I had more energy to be with people and take on whatever the day threw at me.
For students like me, good sleep is the key to success. I found that studying consistently and getting sleep is detrimental to your grades compared to having a whole night's rest. I was more successful in exams and classes after sleeping more than 6 hours.
As I read more about the topic, I found that even getting 7 hours of sleep a night is just the bare minimum for college students. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, college students should aim for about 7–9 hours of sleep a night. And I thought I was getting enough sleep! Getting 9 hours contributes to better memorization, studying habits, and productivity.
And finally, a topic that I enjoy most. Waking up earlier gives us more time for physical exercise. The New York Times says that two-thirds of Americans do not meet the requirements of working out 30 minutes a day. Having only 30 minutes daily to move our bodies would be solved if we had better time management, which correlates to having a better sleeping schedule and waking up early.
Physical exercise and sleep quality go hand in hand. Working out improves our sleeping quality, which in turn improves our energy for the day. According to Majd A. Alnawwar, physical exercise increases melatonin, the hormone that stabilizes our circadian rhythm. Physical exercise also decreases our level of stress and assists us with falling asleep much better.
Overall, waking up at 6 am is a big upgrade if wanting to improve our way of life and wellbeing. That extra hour can be the difference in how the rest of our day goes. I know from experience that I have become more productive, energetic, healthy, and mindful by taking control of my sleep schedule.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it helpful!
