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To some people, mornings bring intense dread; the annoying sound of a beeping alarm clock instantly generates a bad mood, and getting both feet out of bed seems like the most difficult task they’ll encounter all day.

And it doesn’t get better from there; using body wash as shampoo is a maybe, and the chance of socks matching is slim to none. The coffee cannot be strong enough, and the clock cannot tick any slower. If you are one of these people, and waking up is just plain hard to do, learning about the amazing benefits of turning yourself into more of a morning person might give you the caffeinated kick-start you need to get going with the sunrise.

1. You’ll be the office rock star

The Journal of Applied Social Psychology published a study that found morning people are more proactive than evening people and tend to have advanced problem-solving skills, allowing them to anticipate problems and minimize them. Morning people tend to be confident go-getters who take more of a hands-on approach to work and in life. (Don’t worry night owls, the study found that evening people tend to be more creative and have a better sense of humor). Studies also found that early birds tend to get more sleep than night owls (we blame you, Netflix).

2. You can start eating a healthy breakfast

We’ve all heard the saying, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ but how true is it? The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows that eating a nutritious breakfast is extremely important, as it provides energy to help prevent a mid-morning slump, as well as nutrients that lead to increased concentration. Those who skip breakfast tend to snack on foods that are higher in fat and sugar while waiting for their lunch break to roll around. Studies also show that breakfast can be important in maintaining a healthy body weight, and those who wake up early tend to eat healthier throughout the day.

3. You can enjoy quiet time before your day starts

Waking up an hour before you need to can give you time to focus on yourself. You can meditate or relax before work, read the morning paper and have a cup of coffee, go for a walk, make a healthy and delicious breakfast, or hit the gym. Studies show that working up a sweat in the morning helps to increase your metabolism throughout the day, which burns more calories and helps you to resist junk food cravings while choosing healthier options.

4. You’ll start thinking more positively

Waking up early can have a great impact on your mental health. The way you spend the first hour of your day can easily set the tone for the rest of the day, determining your mood as well as your attitude. Eliminating the need to rush in the morning helps to reduce stress. Some of the most successful people in the world are early risers. Waking up early increases productivity because there are fewer distractions in the early hours of the day. The brain is charged from a good night’s sleep and ready to work. Studies show that early risers tend to be more optimistic, more cheerful and often have a lower risk of depression.
The benefits of waking up early far outweigh those of hitting the snooze button over and over again. A healthier body, a sound mind, a positive mood and a more cheerful attitude are just within reach. For those that are already early risers, bravo. To the night owls considering making the switch — Coffee is your friend.