Why waking up early is good for you

Do you hit the snooze button till you absolutely have to get ready for work? These mind and body benefits might just motivate you to hop out of bed.

1. Morning people are more proactive

Researchers in Germany found that early risers are able to solve problems more effectively than night owls. They are good at identifying issues and nipping them in the bud before they escalate into something bigger.

2. Morning people are more productive

Many successful people rise at dawn and get a gazillion things done each day. These include outgoing US President Barack Obama, the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Editor-In-Chief of US Vogue Anna Wintour. While we can't guarantee that waking up early will lead to a thriving career, we can be certain that you'll get more done every day, be it at work or at home.

3. Morning people are more relaxed

A study at the University of London found that those who woke at by 7am were less depressed, anxious and overweight than those who slept in till later. Given that we live in such a fast-paced society, keeping your stress level in check is definitely good for your health overall.

4. Morning people get higher-quality slumber

This benefit kicks in only if you sleep at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time too. Getting your mind and body into a regular pattern helps you rest better, hence increasing the quality of your shut-eye.

5. Morning people are slimmer

Hit the gym and work up a sweat the first thing in the morning, and you're likely to boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day. Even better, take your workout outside for increased benefits. Research shows that people who spent more time in morning light had lower BMIs than those who were in the dark, regardless of food intake and activity level.

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