It’s easy to sneer at those who breezily claim their early morning routine makes them better equipped to succeed. Yet, it appears there may be certain psychological benefits to getting up early. Though it’s still not entirely clear whether early mornings make people more optimistic or optimism helps people to rise earlier, science backs up the morning larks with some physiological evidence too.
It doesn’t stop there. Science has also made us aware of other benefits and body cheats that can be exploited with an early wake-up. Exercising early in the day, particularly before eating, can burn 20% more fat than an afternoon workout. And of course, there are a ton of practical benefits, from creating more time to eat a proper breakfast to clearing up after yourself so that your return home in the evening will be more peaceful — and that positive mood you woke with can be extended up until bedtime.