How I Became an Early Bird: My Journey to Waking Up at 5 AM
For most of my life, I wasn’t a morning person. Staying up past midnight and sleeping until lunchtime was my norm. But over the past five years, I've transformed into an early bird, waking up at 5 AM—and sometimes even 4:30 AM. And guess what? I love it!
Transitioning to an early morning routine wasn't as hard as I thought. Based on my experience, I’ve found that there are three key steps to successfully becoming a morning person:
Getting to sleep right: Prioritize winding down properly at night to ensure quality sleep.
Sleeping properly: Focus on creating a restful sleep environment to optimize your recovery.
Waking up correctly: Have a mindful, structured approach to the first moments of your day.
By mastering these three steps, you can make mornings your favorite part of the day. It's not as challenging as it seems!
Dr. Andrew Huberman’s Optimal Morning Routine
Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and tenured professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, is another advocate of the early wake-up. He starts his day at 5:30 AM. In a 15-minute video illustrated by the After Skool project, Huberman explains how to optimize your mornings for wellness and productivity.
Tips for an Effective Morning Routine
Here are a few simple tips, inspired by Huberman’s research, that can help you "hack" your mornings for a more productive and healthier day:
Get natural light: Expose your eyes to natural light as soon as possible to regulate your circadian rhythm.
Be mindful of cortisol: Your cortisol levels peak in the morning, so avoid stressful activities early on.
Avoid the circadian dead zone: Pay attention to your body’s natural rhythms and avoid waking up during deep sleep phases.
Adjust your body temperature: Cold showers or temperature shifts can help kickstart your body’s alertness.
By incorporating these strategies, you can create a morning routine that boosts your energy, mood, and productivity throughout the day.
