What does your morning look like? Do you hit the snooze button multiple times and finally, reluctantly, drag yourself out of bed the fourth time the alarm sounds? Do you fly through your morning routine, then find yourself eating behind the wheel of your car–later wondering why you can’t lose weight? If that’s the case, you probably spend the rest of the morning racing against the clock at work and trying to play catch up.
Not a great start to what could be, a great morning.
Benjamin Franklin was onto something when he said, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a (wo)man healthy wealthy and wise.”
A good night’s rest is important for good physical and mental health. The timing of your wakefulness can have an impact on your stress level and productivity throughout the day. Sleep experts have also made the connection between sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.
It’s a reality of parenthood, motherhood in particular, that certain things can only get done when the kids are in bed. But rather than burning the midnight oil, as so many mothers do, the better solution may be to go to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up early and rested. Getting to bed early can also fit in with a weight loss program if you are looking to lose weight.
Yo-yo bedtimes are as bad as being on a yo-yo diet. When it comes to sleep, your body needs a routine. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep-wake cycles are regulated by the circadian clock in our brains; the body needs to balance both sleep time and wake time. Regularly pulling late-nighters to tend to household chores can upset your circadian rhythms, which could make it hard to fall asleep at night and get up in the morning.
Set a consistent bedtime and waking time, and you’re likely to get a better night’s sleep. That, along with a consistent weight loss program, sets the stage for a better day.
If you’re a night owl, it may take some time to change into an early bird. There are many resources on the Web where you can find helpful tips for becoming an early riser. Try them out for yourself.
If you’re reading this at 2 a.m. or even 11 p.m., STOP! Hit the hay. Take control of your slumber and your life!
Consider the benefits of becoming a morning person:
- You won’t feel so rushed in the a.m. because you’re giving yourself extra time to get ready for work, school or a day at home with the kids
- You can exercise before your family rises and stick to your weight loss goals
- Like the “Early Bird” you too can catch the “Worm;” eating breakfast at your kitchen table pays huge dividends to a healthy diet
Keep these tips in mind. Becoming a morning person is not as hard as it sounds. Besides, sleep is the safest weight loss plan available and doesn’t cost you anything.