What Time Should You Wake Up To Be Productive?

Maximizing productivity is a hot topic at the forefront of many peoples’ minds these days. This is especially true since we have been on quarantine lockdown for over a year now and many are still working from home. So, what time should you wake up to be productive?

Recent studies and polls indicate that you should wake up at 4 a.m. to be your most productive. Individuals who wake between the hours of 4 and 5 a.m. are not only more productive, but are proven to be more successful in their careers, have a higher quality of life, and be happier overall.

The old saying “The early bird gets the worm” comes to mind when addressing the topic of productivity. Waking up earlier allows you to take advantage of more hours in your day, soak up more sunshine, and likely lead a life that is less rushed and less stressed. Read on to learn how to change your habits and be the most productive version of you!

Early Birds Are More Productive

Waking up at 4 a.m. everyday is easier said than done. This is especially true if you are not a morning person and are more used to waking up around 10 or 11 AM. However, part of being a productive individual involves sticking to a routine and maintaining good habits.

Taking baby steps, rather than diving in head first, can be more effective when it comes to changing habits that will be lasting. Here are a couple examples:

If you are used to waking up at 10 a.m., but would like to wake up at 4 a.m., it is best to start by setting an alarm one hour earlier every couple of days until you reach your goal. This will help your body to adjust more smoothly and ease into your new routine.
You also need to determine what time to be in bed by in order to get enough sleep each night. Studies show that these two habits go hand-in-hand for the most productive people.

You may be asking yourself “Is waking up at 4 a.m. really feasible for me?” The answer may be no, because everyone has a different work schedule. Those who work at night will obviously have to establish a different wake-up time than others. Some may also be able to wake up at 7 a.m. and still be as productive as the 4 a.m. crew.

In order to be productive, one must develop a routine and stick to it.

Going to bed around the same time each night helps the brain develop a consistent sleep pattern, the body to experience more restful sleep, and for brain cells to regenerate more successfully.
Waking up at 4 a.m. allows an individual to continue that pattern of consistency and be able to get more out their day. Sticking to this sleep and wake schedule is the first step to becoming more productive.

Routines Help Us To Be Productive

The evidence is irrefutable when it comes to routines and their relation to productivity. Waking up at the same time each morning, going to sleep at the same time each night, exercising for thirty minutes a day, and drinking 8 cups of water, are all examples of routines that help a person be more productive.

Once you have committed yourself to waking up at 4 a.m., you can begin to develop the other routines that will make you a more productive and successful individual. Studies have shown that the most successful people in history are well-known for their ability to stay focused and maintain strict schedules when working towards a goal.

As mentioned above, setting a new, earlier time to wake up is only the first step to becoming more productive. The majority of successful individuals have said that sticking to other daily habits, not just getting up early, is key to their level of productivity. Here are some ideas for healthy daily habits to consider.

Drink a full glass of water when you wake up because our bodies are already partially dehydrated from sleeping.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast to make sure you start your day off right.
Exercising in the morning before work will give you a boost of energy, get your endorphins flowing, and reduce the likelihood of you skipping your workout later in the day if you are too tired or busy.
Keeping a daily journal is another good habit of many successful people. Simply writing down your thoughts or plans for the day helps get you in the right frame of mind to be productive.
Prepping meals for the week on Sundays not only helps you save time, but can help you stick to healthier eating habits.
Put it on the calendar! Whether it is date night with your wife, or game night with the family, scheduling important personal appointments on your calendar is just as important as work-related ones.

Establishing daily routines and sticking to them is very important in becoming more productive. These routines can be as basic or complex as you want them to be, as long as you are consistent. Even setting your clothes out at night for the next day is an example of a healthy routine that can play into a more productive lifestyle.

Good Routines Lead To Productive People

Now that you are waking up at 4 a.m. and have established healthy daily habits and routines, you will begin to see the fruits of all your labor. Like a puzzle, everything will begin falling into place. The sense of control and confidence you will gain from your new regime, will start to reflect in your newly obtained level of productivity.

These changes will show in both your personal and professional life. We all know that sticking to a schedule or a list is always helpful when working towards a goal. They provide a visual tool for the mind and help us to maintain momentum. Routines do the same for the mind and body, and bring us closer to our most productive selves.

Just imagine if your boss at work was unable to stick to a schedule, missed every important meeting, and was late almost every day. The likelihood that he or she would be able to run a successful company is slim. Successful, productive leaders follow schedules, maintain healthy habits, and have set routines for their daily lives.

Conclusion

One of the most important factors in being a productive person is waking up early, 4 a.m. to be specific. While not everyone will be able to stick to such an early wake-up call, those who do are proven to be the most successful. Early risers tend to be healthier, wealthier, and happier, in comparison to those who hit the snooze button over and over.

Whether your goal is to become more successful at work, be a more organized person, or live a healthier life overall, waking up earlier should be the first step you take. It will give you time to do all of those things you push off to later in the day and never do, like working out or cooking healthy meals.

So remember, wake up early, find a routine that works for your lifestyle and be consistent with it. It is a proven fact that following these steps will make you more productive. Time to set your alarm!

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Sources:

https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/sleep/early-risers-more-productive-survey