Does Getting Up Earlier Make You Healthier?

People in Alexandria, VA, who focus on becoming healthier are getting up earlier. Does it make a difference, or is that just a myth? The Franklin phrase on the health benefits of early rising includes going to bed early. If you do both, then it’s beneficial. You keep a sleep schedule that maintains your circadian rhythm, your body’s internal clock. Studies show that getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night using a consistent schedule improves sleep quality and health.

Your circadian rhythm regulates your hormones.

Controlling your internal clock also regulates the body’s hormones. These hormones trigger responses in the body that affect your appetite, digestion, body temperature, and other functions. If you don’t get adequate sleep, it can trigger the release of excess ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and diminish the release of leptin, the satiety hormone. Leptin also controls insulin and blood sugar levels. It helps regulate weight.

Getting up early also provides benefits.

The early morning hours are usually quiet. The craziness and hustle of the day haven’t started. It’s an excellent time to relax and plan for the day’s activities. Some people meditate during the early hours, while others exercise to ensure they fit it into their day. An early riser has time to eat a healthy breakfast that is more than just a donut and coffee. There are few distractions, so it’s a mellow way to start the day without the rush.

Getting up earlier is only beneficial if you go to bed early, too.

If you go to bed late and get up early, only getting a few hours of sleep, it’s counterproductive. You need both parts: early to bed and early to rise. Not everyone has the luxury of going to bed early. Night shift workers don’t. Studies show that even when night shift workers get adequate sleep, they still may have problems. Going to bed late and sleeping late disrupts the body’s internal clock and interferes with natural sleep rhythms that allow the body to eliminate toxins and repair itself. It can increase the risk of breast cancer, heart attack, and depression. Shift workers have a higher risk of diabetes and gastrointestinal problems.

• Getting up early in the morning also helps maintain melatonin regulation. Melatonin controls sleep/wake cycles. Even if you sleep during the day, the reduced melatonin won’t allow you to sleep deeply enough to let the brain and body repair.
• Studies show early risers are usually more productive than those who sleep later. It may be due to lower stress levels or having more planning time.
• No two people are alike. Neither are their sleep schedules. Most people require 7 to 9 hours of sleep, but not everyone. Some people function their best with little sleep, while others need more.
• If you exercise early in the morning, it may improve your workout. Studies show early morning exercise tends to burn more fat than in the afternoon or evening.

For more information, contact us today at Team Worx Fitness