We’ve all heard stories about super successful people who credit their productivity, in part, to rising early and getting a lot done in the wee morning hours. But waking up early isn’t best for everyone. Here’s why.
According to some scientists, there is no research that proves waking up early makes you more productive. There is evidence, however, that not getting enough sleep (because 5am is just too early for you!) actually hurts your productivity. Adequate amounts of sleep are linked to happiness and higher well-being and forcing yourself to get up too early just makes you tired and cranky. Also, studies have found that sleep deprivation looks and feels a lot like being intoxicated. You are less functional and definitely less efficient.
Another reason involves our own internal rhythms. Some believe that our biology influences what time of day we are most productive and that our chronotype (the internal clock that controls our body’s rhythms) has more to do with high productivity than the alarm clock. Depending upon your chronotype (there are four), you may not be internally wired to consistently wake up at 5am. As it turns out, few people are.
So setting your alarm clock for 5am when your internal clock resists will not make you more productive. Better to pay attention to your own body’s rhythms, while still making it to work on time!
