Six Reasons to Start Your Day at 6 a.m.

There’s a reason they say “the early bird catches the worm.” Many studies have proven a correlation between waking up early and success.

If you still need some convincing why you should set that alarm back a few hours, here are six reasons that might help.

6. Time to exercise

Going to the gym can be a struggle after sitting at a desk all day, and just wanting to go home and relax. If you start your day at 6 a.m., you’ll have plenty of time and motivation to fit in that workout that will leave you feeling great about yourself for the rest of the day.

Regular exercise is a great mood enhancer, provides energy so you don’t get that mid-day slump, and helps create deeper sleep cycles which means you won’t wake up feeling so groggy in the morning.

5. Time to eat a proper breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but so many of us substitute it with coffee or skip it altogether because there’s not enough time in the morning.

According to a study form Harvard School of Public Health, those who skipped breakfast had higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and having a heart attack or heart disease.

If you start your day earlier, you’ll have time to eat a nutritious breakfast that will leave you energized and ready to take on the rest of the day.

4. Be More proactive

Early risers have more time to think about goals and evaluate what needs to get done that day. Once you have a plan, you spend less time in the day trying to figure out what should be done next, and more time actually getting the work done.

3. Be Less stressed

Being in a rush is stressful. If you’re in a rush to get to work on time, you’re more likely to forget something important like that train ticket, and that stress is likely to carry over into the rest of your day.

Over time, stress can lead to an increased risk of mental and physical problems, such as infections, obesity, and depressive and anxiety disorders. By waking up earlier, you’ll have time to calmly go about your morning rituals, and over time might be able to avoid some serious health problems.

2. Get Better sleep

Getting into a consistent sleep pattern will help your body fall asleep faster, and wake up feeling more refreshed. If you go to bed earlier and wake up earlier, you’re more likely to be in tune with the natural circadian rhythms.

According to the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center, people who are in tune with the circadian rhythms feel more alert upon waking up.

1. Try An Easier commute

This one’s simple. The earlier you leave for your commute, the easier and less congested it will be. You’ll actually be able to find a seat on the train or avoid sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic when you leave before rush hour.