“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Those words of wisdom from old Benny (Franklin, that is) make a lot of sense. Morning people pride themselves on being more productive, more successful, and more energized — and they sure act like they’ve got their stuff together (at least to us night owls).
Once you get into the healthy routine of waking up early in the morning to exercise, you may come to appreciate the quiet stillness of the day, and your first perfect cup of coffee. It’s supposedly a magical time of day when you can have a moment to yourself.
While the best time to exercise is still the time when you will work out consistently, there are other benefits to getting your sweat on early in the day, too.
Popular: 4 Reasons Working Out Could Be Causing You to Gain Weight
So, don’t press that snooze button yet — just get up and get going.
5 Great Reasons to Exercise in the Morning
You may end up being more productive
There’s something to be said about checking the exercise box off on your to-do list first thing in the morning. Being up and exercising before most of the world awakens is a great feeling and is also very motivating. Afterwards, you’ll feel so clear and calm, and be set for a more successful day.
You can earn more family time
While health is a top priority, and fitting in workout time is mandatory, family likely comes first. And it’s nice getting ready for the day without feeling like everything is in total crisis mode. If you can train yourself to work out before the sun rises, and before the kids (and the cats) wake up, you can spend more time with them, appreciatively, before you head to the office. Plus, after work hours, you can go right home instead of waiting on line for a crowded treadmill somewhere.
You beat the boss to the office
That’s right, get it all done before your co-workers even wake up. Ever had an unexpected deadline or a last-minute 4:30 p.m. meeting crop up to sabotage your evening exercise plans? Like always. Ever skipped a workout because you’re just too tired at the end of the day? For many, exercise is more likely to happen if you do it first thing.
You may feel less stressed and more ready for your day
We all have anxious moments thinking about deadlines or maybe feeling overwhelmed during a long commute. A morning workout can take some of the edge off to help ease daily stress, and potentially lower your blood pressure, too. (Say good-bye, road rage!) Studies show that even just 10 minutes of exercise can provide psychological benefits, including lifting your mood.
You can improve your mental focus
What do you do after the a.m. workout? Shower, slam a healthy breakfast, and get to work, right? Perfect timing to kickstart your concentration and memory skills. Exercise (in general) has been shown to boost brain health, and morning exercise may also enhance job performance.
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