Don't Hate Morning People – Be One!

Getting out of bed in the dark dead of winter truly sucks – but it might be a key part of your overall wellbeing.

- Lambeth Hochwald

Research shows that morning people – anyone who feels energised in the AM, instead of hitting snooze six times – tend to be happier, and report feeling physically healthier than night owls do. And a study in the journal PLOS One found that morning people have a lower body mass index – possibly because catching pre-noon sun syncs your circadian rhythm (internal body clock) and helps keep your metabolism on track.

Down to reap the perks? You’ll have to commit to the lifestyle seven days a week. ‘If your ideal weekend = staying up all night and sleeping till noon, it’ll be difficult to stay on track on weekdays,’ says sleep specialist W Christopher Winter, author of The Sleep Solution. But if you follow these steps, you’ll soon be one of those annoyingly chipper people passers-by snarl at.

1 Attend an AM Dance Party

A morning sweat sesh is one of the best things you can do to reset your internal body clock, says Winter. ‘You’re telling your brain that you’re in the wake stage of your 24-hour circadian process,’ he says. Start hitting the gym with a friend who begins her day with a class and will hold you accountable. If your crew lacks early risers, meet some at a sunrise gym class – try Virgin’s 6am group schedules of circuit training, boxing and functional fitness. After a few weeks of morning workouts, your body will anticipate them.

2 Rise and Grind