Do you consider yourself as an early bird or a night owl? Hopefully the former because I've got bad news for night owls...studies suggest that early risers experience a number of benefits, including improved mental health. With mental health being an important topic for burnt-out lawyers and Mental Health Awareness Month around the bend, this makes it a great time to take a closer look at the benefits of being the early bird.
It pays to be early on grabbing those compliance credits, too! That's why you should rely on PBI to bring you the timeliest CLE there is, available at your convenience. Avoid stressful last-minute deadlines with our upcoming live webcasts or earn distance credits with any of these great choices in our on-demand library.
Now read on and find out if the early bird really does get the worm!
Quiet, distraction-free time. Mornings are calm. Fewer texts, fewer emails, and no meetings (at least I certainly hope so for your sake). It’s prime time for focused work, deep thinking, and personal projects. If you'd rather use that time to hit the gym or watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee in hand, you're free to do so. Since the majority of people rise with or after the sun, it's probable that no one will bother you during this time. Truly, the early morning hours are the definition of "me time."
Of course, night owls might feel the same way about staying up very late into the night, when everyone else is asleep. However, they won't have...
Stronger morning habits. People who wake up early often have more consistent routines—whether it’s journaling, working out, meditating, or just making a real breakfast. Being the early bird can give your productivity a serious boost. If you do your best work in the morning, then you should definitely take advantage of that instead of opting to sleep the day away.
Having more time in the morning to enjoy yourself, exercise, or complete tasks will also decrease stress in the long run—and lawyers should jump on any reduction in stress that they can get! Perhaps it's time to construct a habitual morning routine, which can prove to be very beneficial.
Mental health and clarity. Cognitive research shows that for many people, willpower and decision-making are strongest in the early hours. Great for tackling hard tasks first! Excellent mental clarity is especially important in the detail-oriented legal world. It's imperative that you stay sharp for your clients, so make sure you're getting plenty of rest at decent hours.
Poor sleep quality can cause a decline in mental health. Those who stay up at all hours of the night are proven to have a higher risk of mood disorder, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. This is because sunlight works wonders for your mental state and gives you much-needed Vitamin D. Of course, it's still possible to rise with the moon and have great mental health and clarity. You just might have to work for it a little bit harder.
Productivity and motivation boosts. A full night's sleep means more energy to tackle the day. Early birds tend to report higher levels of positivity and satisfaction. This translates to steadier bursts of productivity throughout the workday. With their boosted clarity and focus, it's no wonder that morning people often report greater productivity than night people. Who knew that simply rising earlier could have such a ripple effect?
Better sleeping and eating cycles. If you consistently rise early, you’re more likely to get to bed earlier—and maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. When we rise and fall with the sun, we feel better for it. It's also beneficial to wake naturally instead of setting an alarm. If that feels impossible for you, the key is to be patient. Adjust your sleep schedule little by little. Try to move it by 15 minutes each night. Get plenty of daylight in the morning and minimize screen time at night. Once you find the perfect schedule, stick to it. You might find yourself sleeping deeper and waking more refreshed once you do!
In regard to eating, night owls often tend to skip breakfast, the most important meal of the day. That's an invitation for low energy levels and brain fog. Wake up early and get that worm! It's having more of an effect on your health than you might think and setting the tone for your entire day.
Of course...it's not one-size-fits-all. You might take this advice and find you are absolutely miserable in the early morning. Some people are just biologically wired to thrive later in the day. Night owls can still be productive—they just peak at different hours. There are plenty of successful night owls out there who understand the way they are wired and have it all figured out.
Still, don't knock early rising 'til you've tried it! The key is figuring out when you’re naturally most alert and creative, and building your routine around that. If you'd like to learn more about building a constructive morning routine, check out this past blog post! Or check out this one, all about maintaining sleep hygiene!
