Waking up at 5 a.m. is not necessary to be more productive.
Even though some people do it every day and thrive by it, you don’t have to if you’re not a morning person, like me.
Just because a lot of people are doing it and promoting it doesn’t make it true for everybody — most people can’t and don’t want to wake up that early.
In this article, I’ll show you 5 reasons why you shouldn’t wake up at 5 a.m. (and stay happy).
1 — You’re not a morning person
Some people are just naturally morning people.
They wake up feeling refreshed and energized, and they’re ready to take on the day. But for others, waking up early is a struggle. They may feel tired, groggy, and unmotivated.
This could be because of various reasons.
Studies have shown that there is a genetic component to being a morning person and some people’s brains are completely different. Those of morning people may also be different from those of night owls.
If you’re not a morning person, forcing yourself to wake up at 5 a.m. is likely to do more harm than good.
Whenever I wake up at these times I feel miserable.
2 — You’re ruining your sleep rhythm
Let’s say you want to wake up at 5 a.m. and get enough sleep.
Most adults need around 7–8 hours of sleep per night — meaning that you’ll be sleeping around 9–10 p.m.
That can be difficult.
Some days you just need more time in the evening, especially if you’re working all day, when you’re not a morning person, you may find that you’re more productive in the afternoon or evening.
This is because your body’s natural circadian rhythm peaks in the afternoon and evening.
The consequences are, if you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re going to feel tired, irritable, less productive, or just miserable during the day.
So think twice before shaking up your sleep rhythm.
3 — Most people don’t use their extra time
The whole reason for people to wake up at 5 a.m. is to be more productive.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that adults who woke up before 7 a.m. and stayed active throughout the day were happier, less depressed, and had better cognitive function than those who woke up later.
There are a few reasons why waking up early can lead to increased productivity. First, when you wake up early, you have more time to get things done before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.
This can be a great time to focus on important tasks or projects that you might not have time for later.
But, therefore you need to use your time wisely.
Most of us need the time to wake up (slowly), this can take more time when it’s earlier in the morning. Sometimes we even just fall back asleep and wake up even later than planned.
If you’re not a morning person, it’s important to give yourself enough time to wake up slowly.
This means getting out of bed at least 30 minutes before you need to start your day. You can use this time to do things like meditate, read, or drink a cup of coffee.
Here are a few tips for using your time wisely in the morning:
- Set priorities. Decide what’s most important to get done on that day, and focus on those tasks.
- Break down large tasks into smaller ones. This will make them seem less daunting and more achievable.
- Take breaks. Get up and move around every 20–30 minutes to avoid getting burned out.
- Reward yourself. When you finish a task, take a few minutes to celebrate your accomplishment.
4 — You’re not listening to your body
If you’re not a morning person, forcing yourself to wake up at 5 a.m. is likely to go against your body’s natural rhythm.
This can lead to a number of problems, including fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. It’s important to listen to your body and wake up when you’re naturally feeling rested.
If you find that you’re not able to fall asleep until late at night, or if you’re waking up feeling tired even after 8 hours of sleep, you may be a night owl.
There’s nothing wrong with being a night owl. In fact, some people are more productive at night.
There are a few things you can do to make the most of your rhythm.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will help to regulate your body’s natural rhythm.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine. This will help you to fall asleep.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. These substances can interfere with sleep.
- Get some sunlight during the day. This will help to keep your body’s natural rhythm in sync.
5 — You’re not enjoying your mornings.
Morning routines are the most important part of the day.
When you’re not a casual morning person, waking up at 5 a.m. can be causing you a lot of trouble: stress, anxiety, or just feeling miserable (like me).
If you’re not enjoying your mornings, it’s going to be difficult to be productive — you’re more likely to procrastinate, make mistakes, and experience burnout.
It’s a slow process and you need to listen to yourself if you want to use it properly.
Feeling bad in the morning goes on for the whole day and you don’t want that, so make sure to enjoy your mornings if you want to be the best version of yourself.
Final Words
If you’re not a morning person, don’t force yourself to wake up at 5 a.m.
Doing so can mess up your sleep, make it hard to use your extra time well, and make mornings less enjoyable. Listen to your body and wake up when you feel rested.
Being a night owl is okay, and there are ways to work with your natural sleep schedule.
Find what suits you. If you work better in the morning, wake up early. But if you’re not a morning person, don’t push yourself.
Everyone is different, so what helps one person be productive might not help another. The key is to find what helps you and stick to it. Don’t be scared to try new things to see what helps you the most.
There’s no right or wrong way to be productive.