Waking Up at 4am: How to Make the Transition and Enjoy the Benefits of an Early Wake-Up Time

Moss Piglet
3 min readDec 8, 2022

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Waking up at 4am has numerous benefits, and while it may take some time to adjust to this early wake-up time, the rewards are well worth it. Here are three of the main benefits of waking up at 4am:

  1. Increased productivity. Waking up at 4am gives you a head start on the day, allowing you to get a jump on your daily tasks and responsibilities. This extra time in the morning can be used to tackle challenging or time-consuming projects, or to simply get a jump on the day’s emails and other work-related tasks. This can help you feel more productive and accomplished, and can even help reduce stress and anxiety by allowing you to get more done during the day.
  2. Solitude and peace. Waking up at 4am allows you to have some quiet, solitude time to yourself before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. This can be a great opportunity to meditate, do some yoga, or simply sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in peace. This quiet time can help clear your mind and prepare you for the day ahead, and can even help improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
  3. Improved health. Waking up at 4am can also have numerous health benefits. Early risers are often more physically active, as they have more time in the morning to exercise or engage in other forms of physical activity. This regular exercise can help improve your overall physical health, and can even help regulate your sleep-wake cycle and boost your mood. In addition, waking up at 4am allows you to get more sunlight exposure, which can help improve your sleep quality and support healthy circadian rhythms.

Of course, adjusting to a 4am wake-up time can take some time and effort. Here are a few tips for making the transition:

  • Gradually adjust your bedtime. To make it easier to wake up at 4am, I start by gradually adjusting my bedtime in the weeks leading up to the change. For example, if you currently go to bed at 10pm, try moving your bedtime up by 15 minutes each night until you reach a bedtime of 9pm. This can help your body adjust to the new wake-up time more easily.
  • Create a morning routine. To make the most of your extra time in the morning, try creating a morning routine that includes activities that help you feel energized and focused. This could include exercise, meditation, journaling, or any other activity that helps you feel ready to tackle the day ahead. For me, I always start with a 45 minute run.
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  • Avoid caffeine and screens before bed. To ensure that you get a good night’s sleep, avoid caffeine and screens (such as TVs, laptops, and smartphones) in the hours leading up to bedtime. These can stimulate your brain and make it harder to fall asleep, which can make it harder to wake up at 4am. To help me with this, I would set a timer on my phone which will alert me when it my bedtime.

In conclusion, waking up at 4am has numerous benefits, including increased productivity, a chance for solitude, and improved health. While it may take some time to adjust to this early wake-up time, the benefits are well worth it. By gradually adjusting your bedtime, creating a morning routine, and avoiding caffeine and screens before bed, you can make the transition to waking up at 4am and start enjoying the many benefits of this early wake-up time. I did it. So can you.

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