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10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It

This article was printed with permission by Leo Babauta of the popular Zen Habits blog. You can also follow him on Twitter. Read more about simple productivity, focus and getting great things done in his book  The Power of Less.
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31 RECENT RESPONSES

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Marina Feb 13, 2014

I like your text and find it very inspiring.
But I am wondering about the following:
I really need to get enough sleep since I
am no use for anything if I didnt. So how would
I (or better: how are you) adapt this "system"
of rising early and going to bed early if I want
to go out or spend an evening with friends
and I cannot get enough sleep by going
to bed early. Skip the routine?
What are your ideas or deals with this?

Thanks for sharing the article. =)

User avatar
Stian Kvinge Feb 13, 2014

Im awake at 04.30 or 05.00 almost every day after downloading the Alarmy (Sleep If U Can) app

User avatar
Amy Feb 13, 2014

I have been wanting to start an early morning routine for a while now. I have no problem going to bed early. My problem is that I *really* love to sleep. I love being in bed. And I'm thankful for the fact that I feel that I have really restful sleep. BUT! I have a *really* hard time getting out of bed early enough to do these things that I so desperately want to do (exercise, meditate, coffee, and writing.) My brain is very convincing in the morning to stay in bed. But I know from the few times I've managed to wake up that early, I really enjoyed my morning and was able to do many of the things I can't seem to find time for otherwise, all before 7AM!

My question to the author is: do you "sleep in" on the weekends?

I'm also open for other suggestions/tricks to get myself up in the mornings and tuning out that voice that convinces me that I should get back in bed :)

User avatar
Gillian Garratt Feb 13, 2014

Affirming article. I wake at 5 - 5. 30 I considered this a 'problem' & try to go back to bed to sleep more. I love to watch the sun rise. It is great to hear from other early risers & realise it is actually a privilege. It started when I was writing my book. I shall think of this universal community and salute it.

User avatar
Jiff Moose Jun 23, 2013

5:00am! Ha! I'm afraid I can n t tt nonssencZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz................x

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roja Jun 12, 2013

great article..enjoy every second of your life

User avatar
Rose Apr 8, 2013

Sleep in the night and live in the light is my motto. I love to get up early seeing Venus is a good symbol to start the day. Hearing the bird song is especially precious but the silence is my most blissful time. x

User avatar
Whatsername Jan 1, 2013

Thank you for this. I always try to be an early riser, but I fall back into the habit of staying up late and then I'm too tired in the morning! Thanks for the inspiration, I'm going to take up your suggestions and give it another go!

User avatar
betty Oct 19, 2012

Just loved the early rising article. It's something I was taught to do years ago and one of the most important things in my spiritual journey, I rise at 6 - regardless of what might have happened the night before - get out of bed to make a cup of coffee - read something devotional - head for the beach at 7 when I swim - winter or summer - meditate after a shower and am ready for the day.

User avatar
Joe K. Aug 16, 2012

sounds promising... what's an MIT?

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Jitz Aug 6, 2012

Amazing article....

User avatar
Martha Jul 26, 2012

This is a great article! Very inspiring and I look forward to being more of a morning bird. My obstacle I've run into is that my boyfriend likes to stay up late or party on the weekends a lot. I would love to be social, but I'd rather be up in the early morning hours to enjoy life, sober. I fear that me waking up early will disconnect me from my friends and boyfriend. But I do want to enjoy life more and find that waking up early to meditate and get some personal work done, writing my book, load of laundry, whatever would be so enjoyable. Any thoughts on this? were you a morning riser before your children? I feel that I'll have to wait until I'm older to be a morning person... advice? :)
Thank you!!

User avatar
Kamz Apr 12, 2012

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I just wanted to share this report to you guys which i had come across :D

User avatar
seychel Apr 7, 2012

I am a night bird however, whenever I get up rearly in the morning, I absolutely love it! I love the sunrise and the chirping of the birds and the stillness of the world! I treasure the silence around me. It's breathtaking! 

I would like to make it a habit but it's so hard because I will practice it for couple of days but then I fall back into staying up late and only because nights are so so quiet and calm and peaceful that I again enjoy the silence.

Also, how can I solve my problem of wanting to take a nap in the afternoon if I wake up like 5 or 6 in the morning? Anyone has any suggestions? Thank you!

I really, really want to practice this religiously and I feel so frustrated.

User avatar
Night Owl Mar 12, 2012

I feel the same way about ending the day in peace and quiet.  I enjoy the night hours, with no responsibility to fulfill, other than drifting off to sleep after a full night of reading and contemplation. . .

User avatar
Shubha2110 Mar 11, 2012

When do you sleep to be able to wake up at 4.30? Does the sleep time ever vary? How do you manage that? Do you feel guilty on random days you don't follow through on this? Or are there no random days?

I find the end time is harder to be disciplined and 'that' affects the wake up time SEVERELY. I need 8 hours so no matter what I have been trying for almost 2 months now, my wake-up time doesn't move - always between 8 and 8.30 (several of the HOW TOs I have tried - some still to go). N i want to make 6am a habit. Any suggestions on this?

Reply 1 reply: Nipun
User avatar
Carmentk Mar 10, 2012

It is my karma to live with cheerful early risers.  They start talking to me as soon as they see that I am ambulatory.  This never ends well.  However, I would like to try rising with the sun so I can enjoy hearing the birds as they wake and perhaps catch a glimpse of a retreating deer or coyote.  I can see that getting up early when I don't HAVE TO might offer me some mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. . . as long as I can keep the blabbermouths at bay. 

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Ajay Dagli Feb 18, 2012

I enjoyed the article and will begin to practice this method right away.

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murray fulcher Feb 5, 2012

 YESSSS!!!   i needed this ,,, i live in toronto, feb 5,  we have i'm guesstimating  9 1/2 of daylight,  it is toooo  easy for me to stay in bed  longer when it is dark,   too easy,   sooo, i'm biting the bullet and making a public commitment ,to pull those blankets/downfilled comforters back, step on the cold,hard floor and stand up like a true "CANUCK' and start my day on my terms  !!

User avatar
Viren Shah Mumbai - India Feb 4, 2012

100% agreeing with this article. I have been doing the same for the last one year and my experience is the same. Worth following in our daily life.

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Hector Jan 16, 2012

Great article!  When do you go to bed?!

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Busygirl Jan 14, 2012

 I am up at 5 every morning. For me it's 30 minutes of meditation and devotions. I always end my meditation with compassion for everyone I will see during the day including challenging people.  Many blessings to those who follow the early morning path.

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Denis kilama ojhara Jan 10, 2012

This is a great subject.its something  of great value.i love this article and its really very important to rise early and possess you day right away.if you can first pray early,it would be even greater.Nothing can stand your way when you rise early and plan your day fast.!!!!

User avatar
Jim Jan 8, 2012

I am up at 5 every morning. after a quick clean up it is on to the cushion for 40 minutes of meditation. I always end my meditation with compassion for myself and then everyone I will see during the day including challenging people. Off to the gym at 6 and at work by 7:30 with a calm train commute on days I don't need my car. Some days I can see dolphins and deer on the same train ride. I can prepare for the day at the office calmly. Ironically now that my kids are grown I am in bed as early as they were at there youngest! My sangha meets at 7AM Saturdays and Tuesdays so I am more than ready for the lessons my teacher offers.  Many blessings to those who follow the early morning path. 

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Kabmoha Jan 8, 2012

Quite interesting article mentioning Dalaylama, Zens and the like; however, it comes too short neglecting an element of tremendous importance. It is the religion of Islam. Muslims pray five times a day. One of these prayers is performed at dawn.The time a person gets up from bed, does his ablution and heads for the mosque all are acts that aim at one and only one single thing which is to foster a willfull-spirited believer enjoying the bliss, the health benefits of waking up at the peep of the day. Muslim were told about these things 1433 years ago through their prophets . So striking that every recent finding regarding health, life, scientific probes,human destiny seem to go in line with the religion of Islam. Worth-scrutuny,doesn't it?

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Gka2004 Jan 8, 2012

On Early to rise, there is a old saying ' Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise'

User avatar
Kousik Bose Jan 8, 2012

let's see how I can achieve my goal,i m gonna start from tonite itself.
Kousik Bose

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G. Narayana Jan 8, 2012

I am a night bird and tried several times early rising.  The days I succeeded I really enjoyed the beautiful sunrise, chirping birds, better mood through the day, et all.  However I failed to maintain it. Now after going through your write up I have decided to implement it from today itself and it is a commitment I am making it you. Thanks.

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Ramonamoritz Jan 8, 2012

Enjoyed this article until I read that looking at that ugly mug in the mirror; then I questioned the appreciation of the beautiful face bestowed upon you by Grace.  That comes first.  Inner acknowledgment of the Spirit within and all its glorious handiwork through us in the outer.

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Greenfingersherbal Jan 8, 2012

I have always noticed that early risers were more cheerful. Who doesn't enjoy a cheerful, optimistic person?
Enjoy your day!

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Maria Droujkova Jan 8, 2012

I get up just before the sunrise, and I love it. But using alarm clocks has known health risks. I suggest tweaking the diet, bed time and other physiological tools rather than alarm clocks. Asking someone who lives with you to wake you up gently is the best, though. Some animals can do the task well, too.