15 Benefits of Waking Up Early

Meet Gregory, a writer and the brains behind Face Dragons. He's the go-to guy for getting things done. Gregory's been living the digital nomad life in Asia for as long as anyone can remember, helping clients smash their goals. He writes on topics like software, personal knowledge management (PKM), and personal development. When he's not writing, you'll catch him at the local MMA gym, nose buried in a book, or just chilling with the family.

If productivity is important to you, if you want to face dragons and return victorious, if you want to be the best you can be, you need to wake up early! If you’re not the kind of person that jumps out of bed in the morning with a spring in your step and a gleam in your eye. These benefits of waking up early might convince you.

You might be thinking that you’re just not the type who wakes up early but let me show you why you need to start setting that alarm clock a little earlier each morning.

Who’s in Charge Here? Why You Must Wake Up Early

You can’t imagine an almighty dragon slayer curled up in his bed saying “Just let me sleep a little longer”, can you?

No, and so if you want to face the Dragons of Inaction and Weakness, you need to get control of your mind! You tell it when it’s going to wake up. If you’re unable to, do you think you’re going to be able to make it work when it’s tired? To keep going when it’s scared or do one more rep when it’s exhausted?

There are a bunch of benefits to waking up early below but they all boil down to this: Waking up early is training for your mind that will make the rest of the day easier.

“On your bad days, when you feel like a tortured soul, that is when you can really win the battle against yourself! If, on your worst days you can pull off your best performances, that’s when your mind truly starts to shift! Win that battle and it will move the mental needle!”

David Goggins

You’ll Be More Productive

Does this even need to be said? Waking up earlier gives you a head start on the day and lets you get much more done. You can get a jump on your work, cross things off your to-do list, and generally feel more productive throughout the day.

It can also give you more time off, depending on how you want to spend your time. For example, you can use that extra time in the morning to relax and enjoy your breakfast or read the news instead of rushing around trying to get everything done at the last minute.

Time to Plan Your Day

One of the best things about waking up early is that you can use that time to plan your day. This can help you feel more organized and in control of your life.

Take a few minutes each morning to review your to-do list, schedule appointments, and generally plan out your day. This will help you make the most of your time and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Get a Jump Start on Your Work

Do you always feel like you’re playing catch-up at work? Waking up early can help you get ahead of the game by allowing you to go through what you need to get done.

You can use that extra time in the morning to plow through your emails, return phone calls, and generally get a head start on the day. This can help reduce stress and make you feel more organized and in control.

Extra Time for a Side Hustle

Maybe you’ve dreamed of starting a blog or a small business, but you never seem to have the time. Even if you have just an hour extra in the morning, you can use that time to work on your side hustle.

Getting up an hour earlier every day gives you thirty hours per month to work on your passion project. That’s enough time to make some serious progress. So if you’ve wanted to start a side hustle, such as a blog or an Etsy shop, use that extra time in the morning to get started.

Time to Network with Others

No one but the dragon slayers are up at sunrise. Which makes it the perfect time to do some networking, all the average Joes are asleep. It’s just you and the CEOs, the millionaries and the go-getters.

If you’re looking for a new job or want to meet some new people, use that extra time in the morning to network with others. You can spend the time on LinkedIn and connect with other professionals in your industry.

You can also join networking groups or attend events. By getting out there and meeting new people, you never know what opportunities might come your way.

Create A Morning Routine You Love

If you don’t have a morning routine setup already, get one! Don’t make yourself reinvent the wheel every morning, just get up and start the routine, months later the progress will be shocking! If you need ideas, check out this giant list of morning routine ideas.

Spend More Time with Your Family

Family time is the best time, but it can be hard to find the time to connect with your loved ones during the week. By ensuring you wake up early, you’ll be able to spend some quality time with your family in the morning.

Use that extra time in the evening to play a game, help with homework, or talk with your loved ones. You’ll be surprised how much closer you feel to them when you make the time to connect.

You’ll Have Time for Breakfast

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it’s also the meal that most people skip. If you’re not a morning person, then chances are you’re probably not rushing to make breakfast each morning.

Waking up early gives you the time to enjoy a healthy breakfast and start your day off on the right foot. However, skipping breakfast can make you feel sluggish and tired, so make sure you take the time to eat something in the morning. Even if it’s just a keto coffee.

You’ll Have Time to Exercise in the Morning

Have you been putting off exercise because you don’t have time in the mornings? Well, now you do! Waking up early gives you the time to fit in a quick workout before starting your day.

Lifting weights has many benefits, including improved mood, increased energy, better sleep, and weight loss. But a yoga practice, a tai chi routine or some cardio are just ats valuable. So if you’ve been looking for a way to fit exercise into your daily routine, waking up early is the perfect solution.

Time to Invest in Yourself

Have you ever wanted to learn how to better invest your money a new skill that would make all the difference? Whatever you want to learn, you can use that extra time in the morning to invest in yourself.

The best investment you’ll ever make is yourself, so use that extra time to learn something new. You can take an online course, read a book, or do some research on a topic you’re interested in.

Your Mood Will Be Better Throughout the Day

Most morning people are chirpy and happy. There’s a reason for that! Waking up early has been proven to improve your mood throughout the day.

So if you struggle with anxiety or depression, waking up early could be a simple way to improve your mental health. If you find yourself cranky in the mornings, try setting your alarm clock a little earlier and see if it makes a difference in your mood throughout the day.

Your Skin Will Look Healthier

How is it possible that waking up early can improve your skin? It’s simple. Waking up early allows you to start your day with a healthy skincare routine.

You can use that extra time in the morning to wash your face, apply sunscreen, and generally take care of your skin. This can help improve your complexion and make you look and feel more confident.

Anything that promotes a healthier you is bound to show on the outside, so take advantage of that extra time in the morning and give your skin some love.

Time to Meditate, Pray or Practice Gratitude

If you’re looking for a way to start your day on a more spiritual note, then waking up early is the perfect solution. Then, you can use that extra time in the morning to meditate, pray, or reflect on your day.

Taking a few minutes each day to connect with your spirituality can help you feel more centered and at peace. It’s a great way to start your day and set the tone for the rest of your day.

More Time to Read

Do you love to read but never seem to have the time? There’s that book of poetry you’ve wanted to read or that new novel everyone’s been talking about.

If you can’t find the time to read during the day, then use that extra time in the morning to finally build that reading habit. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and get lost in a good book for a few minutes each day. It’s the perfect way to start your day.

You’ll Finally Get to Enjoy Some Peace and Quiet

If you have kids, you know how chaotic the morning can be. Waking up earlier allows you to enjoy some peace and quiet before the day’s craziness begins.

You can savor your coffee, catch up with your friends on Facebook, or enjoy the silence. You need a few minutes to yourself each day, and waking up early is the perfect time to get it.

Give Your Body a Much-Needed Reboot

If you’ve been going to bed late without a consistent sleep schedule, your body will love you for making the switch to waking up early.

Your body needs a regular sleep schedule to function properly, and by making the switch to waking up early, you’ll give your body the reboot it needs. As a result, you’ll feel more rested and have more energy throughout the day.

Final Thoughs

You’ll notice many of these benefits from day one. By making that one small change, you can improve your life in several different ways.

If you’ve been struggling to find the motivation to wake up early, remember all the benefits you’ll be experiencing. It’s worth it to make that small change in your daily routine. It might take a little time to adjust, but once you do, you’ll be glad you made the switch.

No matter if you want to wake up early for work, for a workout, or to have some extra time in the morning, there are plenty of benefits that come along with it. Use this list as motivation to make the switch and start enjoying all the benefits of waking up early.