When I was in my 20s, I thought waking up at 6:45 a.m. was an early start. I would roll out of bed just in time to get to the office by 8:30, often feeling groggy and disoriented. My mornings would consist of multiple snooze hits and a sluggish coffee ritual, where I waited for caffeine to kick in before I could even think about showering.
But then life changed. Enter marriage and the delightful chaos of children in my 30s. Those adorable little beings seemed to think that 5 or 6 a.m. were prime times for starting the day, regardless of how much sleep I had—or hadn’t—gotten. Sleeping in until 6:45 a.m. is now nothing more than a distant memory.
It wasn’t until we welcomed our second daughter that I recognized our morning routine was seriously flawed. I was perpetually exhausted, and even a midday nap didn’t seem to help. My husband, Greg, felt the same way. We chalked it up to “just being parents” and thought more coffee was the solution.
Aside from relying on caffeine, we discovered that exercising was the one thing that consistently lifted our energy levels. Fortunately, we had a decent garage gym, so we had no excuses to skip workouts. However, I faced a significant hurdle—I was simply too tired to even consider exercising. My days were consumed with work and kids, leaving me drained.
Then, Greg made a move that seemed utterly crazy to me. He began waking up at 4:30 a.m. to squeeze in his workouts before the kids woke up. Initially, sacrificing those precious extra 90 minutes of sleep was a tough pill to swallow. But gradually, it became his new normal and, to my surprise, he started raving about how much better he felt. His energy levels soared, his mood lifted, and he approached the day with newfound confidence. I was still struggling to stay awake.
After much persuasion, and some playful banter from Greg, I decided to give early rising a shot. Here’s how my mornings transformed:
- 4:30: My alarm blares. Snooze, of course.
- 4:45: I finally get out of bed.
- 4:50: Coffee in hand, I start to awaken.
- 5:00: I put on my workout clothes, though I’m not quite ready to lift weights yet.
- 5:00-5:50: Time to write. As a freelance writer, this quiet hour is a blessing. I sip my coffee while my husband is already deep into his workout.
- 5:55: I hit the gym for about 50 minutes before the kids wake up. Sometimes my 4-year-old joins in, and I get a workout with her as my “weight.”
- 6:45: The children wake up, and cereal is immediately demanded.
This schedule has become my daily norm, and I can’t imagine going back to sleeping in. It throws my entire day off. On days I don’t work out, I still rise early to write, read, or even do a gentle yoga class when I can.
Since embracing this new routine, the benefits have been clear. I kick off each day with a sense of accomplishment and reduced stress levels. While I can’t say I’m always cheerful—don’t ask Greg for his take on that—I feel healthier and make better food choices after working out.
Sure, being the parent of two young kids is still exhausting, but now it’s a more manageable kind of tired—akin to the good fatigue after a long hike rather than the groggy feeling that follows a night of too much fun. This shift also means I go to bed earlier, usually around 8 p.m., reading or unwinding before lights out.
Could This Work for You?
The only way to find out is to test it for yourself. Research suggests it takes 21 days to form a new habit. The first week may feel tough, but by the third week, it could become second nature. Imagine what you could accomplish with those extra quiet hours in your day!
If waking up at 4:30 a.m. isn’t feasible for your lifestyle—like if you work second shifts or have a newborn to tend to—consider this concept a flexible mindset. Where can you carve out time for yourself? Whether it’s late at night, during lunch, or even in the early hours, dedicating time for self-care is invaluable. It could mean pursuing a passion, taking a class, or simply enjoying a moment of peace.
In summary, rising early has transformed my energy levels and overall well-being. I encourage anyone curious about the benefits of an early start to give it a shot and discover the changes it can bring to your life.
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