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“I Have Most Of My Day Done By 8AM”: 30 People Explain Why They Wake Up At 5AM
Interview
Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. But generally, for most people, it makes them stupid, and blind in the eyes. Childish slogans aside, most humans love their sleep and are hard to separate from their beds in the morning, weekdays, or weekends. So when one hears that someone gets up at the crack of dawn, it generally gets some attention.
Perhaps this is why one netizen asked early rises why they do it. The internet gave a mix of answers, from early birds to necessity. We also got in touch with the netizen who asked the original question. So if you are in bed, savor it, scroll through, and be sure to upvote your favorites. And if you are an early riser, or know one, comment below and tell us why.
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#1
Dog can't seem to understand we sleep in on the weekends!
RELATED:
#2
Age. As a teenager I could sleep all weekend. From about 30 I never needed an alarm clock as I would always wake up before I needed to. At around 40 I started waking up around 0630 and it gets earlier every year. I'm now almost 60 and am generally awake around 0430 and up and running by 0500 regardless of how late I go to bed. If this trend continues I will be getting up before I've gone to bed.
There are times like weekends when I wish I could sleep in but overall I enjoy being up early. Sunrise, coffee and peace are nice.
Jeremy James 1 year ago
My grandparents had their coffee and rocking-chairs on the dock. I have my hammock and mosquito netting. Life could be worse.
#3
I get up at 5:30. I can have most of my day done by 8 am when normal people get up, meaning I can get things done a lot quicker since nobody else is about to interrupt or distract.
On days off I do the same, the gym is dead, Starbucks is dead, I can have all my housework etc done by 8am when I have breakfast and then the day is mine to do whatever I want with.
I put endless stock in peace, everything is peaceful at 6am, nothing is peaceful at 9:30.
Bored Panda reached out to That_Late_Bloomer who created the original thread to hear their thoughts. We wanted to know why they were inspired to ask this question in the first place. "I was just bored.I myself wake up at 5 am every day." Naturally, we also wanted to learn why they were an early riser. "I was a very lazy person until a month back I decided to change my habits for good. I now wake up at 5 am as a challenge to train myself to get out of my comfort zone. Actually, my body is not designed for an early bird. I am a night owl. But, you know, you gotta learn to adapt to new things whether it be physically or psychologically. So I am on my journey to become a better version of myself."
Unsurprisingly, the concept of an “early bird” comes from the old proverb “the early bird catches the worm,” which dates back to the 17th century. Anyone who has lived in an area with lots of birds can attest that they are quite early risers, often making a racket and waking entire households in their pursuit of, presumably, worms. Not the most appetizing thought to start a morning off with, but it’s the truth.
To continue with bird-based metaphors, some people can be described as “larks,” another bird notorious for its early morning ways. The opposite would be an owl or a “night owl.” In general, the human population is quite balanced, with a relatively equal distribution of early birds and night owls and everyone who falls in between.
#4
My job is an hour away and I still need about an hour to cry in the shower.
Mrs Irish Mom 1 year ago
Im a morning person bit my kid and hubby need about an hour to wake up, i would love to sing, listen to some music or clean early but i dont out of respect that they dont do mornings
#6
I’m a light sleeper and naturally wake up from light. Also once I’m awake it’s very difficult for me to fall back to sleep.
Jeremy James 1 year ago
A comfortable eye-pillow and ear plugs were game-changers for me. That little bit of sensory-deprivation makes a huge difference. I've struggled to get my partner to realize that, once you've woken me up, (for some stupid little thing you could have found yourself,) you've just f*cked me.
Despite this distribution, humans have quite commonly been under the impression that waking up early is important, despite the difficulties, hence the plethora of advice telling people to do it. Aristotle wrote that “Rising before daylight is also to be commended; it is a healthy habit, and gives more time for the management of the household as well as for liberal studies,” while the quote from the introduction is credited to Benjamin Franklin.
#7
Can’t help it. I Naturally wake up around then. I like it tbh, everyone else is mostly asleep too so it’s a peaceful way to enjoy a coffee and wake up at your pace
#8
Seriously, my wife does this. Up at 4 most mornings.
Personally, I'm useless if I don't get my seventeen hours of sleep.
Mila Preradović 1 year ago (edited)
Oh no, IT'S STARTING :O They took over the computer! OK, OP, let's get something straight; you are a CAT, and SHE might be your Hooman or your Furless (or Furry, I don't judge) Momma but calling her your wife is a bit off, ya know :)
#9
my GLUTTONOUS F*****G CAT
I give up on society 1 year ago
I have two strays that decided I was thier pet. I can relate on many levels.
This creates a strange paradox, where a person who sleeps in, whether out of tiredness or a sleep disorder, is often seen as lazy, even though most of us would enjoy a few more minutes every morning to sleep. While schooling is supposed to pave the way for a career, teenagers do need more sleep than adults, so forcing them to wake up like a worker at a regular 9-5 is actually detrimental.
#10
By 6:30 AM there is already gridlock on the way to work. I go in early and get off early, beating the rush hour traffic both ways.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
Lack of traffic at 6AM is amazing in my city. I bike but I may only see 5 or 6 cars on the way in. Tell you what, I'll follow this comment with the number of cars I see on my 1.5 mile commute tomorrow.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
Twelve and I was in the SE industrial district. Was raining for the first time in weeks though. That is Portland OR. The rain separates the real cyclists from the posers.
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Joe Reaves 1 year ago
I worked at Heathrow for a while. I needed to get there bby 8 but it was impossible. Leave at 5:30 and I'd be there by 7 at the latest. Leave at 6:30 and it'll be mid morning if I'm lucky. Since it was a building site at the time (the heathrow Tube line was being built and I was working for the builder) I'd go and get a good breakfast in the canteen before work (aimed at builders so full English was the usual) and I could practically skip lunch (coffee and a snack) and take that time to relax instead.
Sally Signup 1 year ago
This is what I do. And if we have to buy a house far away from work, I'll be getting up somewhere around 4AM.
#11
I, like many people, typically have to be at work around 8. If I wake up at 5, I'm able to give MYSELF time before I give it to my employer. Before I even step out the door to go to work I have time to read, make a nice breakfast, exercise, and maybe work on a personal project for a bit. It honestly just puts me in a better mood going into the day.
#12
On my days off, I get up between 5:00 and 6:00 AM, so I can skate as the sun rises and the heat isn't intolerable. It's a great way to center myself.
Others listed outside factors that “forced” them to wake, like the aforementioned birds or simply the light of day creeping in. These are referred to as “zeitgebers,” or “time givers,” from German, and are indicators that your body reads to understand what time it is. Some are passive, like sunlight, but mealtimes are an example that we can control ourselves. This is why people are encouraged to try to be consistent with when they eat.
#13
Older now, so going to bed 9ish is typical and 0500 is habitual. Sunrises and sunsets double bubble. Draw back is when friends come to visit and want to stay out late so lots of coffee/espresso. Another plus are earlier dinner times and food quality is better (staff less busy and can focus on your order), not out with folks who may have partied too hardy, relaxed pace.
#14
Started off not being able to sleep in. I'd desperately like to at least a few times a month, but my brain just wakes up around 5. So, instead of being pisssed off every morning that I can't sleep, I've learned to take that time to myself and enjoy it. It's actually really nice.
#15
I’m a barista. I make other people coffee before I can have coffee.
Jeremy James 1 year ago
As a barista, I've slogged miles through waist-high snow to get to a coffee shop at 4am where the only customers were plow-drivers who didn't think they should have to be out there, either.
On a larger scale, this is actually visible in sports. The home team advantage has a lot of facets, but one is that the other team has to travel, disrupting their circadian rhythm. This can mean the opposing athletes bodies are taking on nutrition, sleeping and even playing at accustomed times. It’s most visible when one time is at least three hours (time zone-wise) away from the other, as closer distances aren’t nearly as disruptive.
#16
Do you think I’m doing this on purpose?
David Wambold 1 year ago
Worked 3rd shift for a decade. Has taken me years but I can now sleep HALF the night. Always up early.
#17
S**t needs doing
#19
I like the quiet and alone time of the early morning… allows a couple of hours of doing what I want and no one interrupting or distracting me
Allows me to set the pace of the day also, slow and steady and take my time, rather than rushing around
The absolute best is just sipping my coffee in peace and quiet though
#20
There’s a small human that pokes me in the eye and says “mommy up” until I get up and make her toast.
Mila Preradović 1 year ago
My small human has been sleeping in since she was a baby, so I guess I am the lucky one :D
#21
The way I brew my coffee and make a morning smoothie takes a bit of time, and I like to watch the sun rise
Margot Moser 1 year ago
Where I live, the sun is rising at about 5:15am these days but the sky is light and the robins are singing at least an hour before that. I want to sleep until 10am at least so you could say I'm not exactly in sync with 'nature'. :-)
#24
For whatever reason, it’s easier for me to wake up REALLY early in the morning (3 am to 6 am) then later on in the morning. If I wake up at 5 am, I have time to catch my breath and move slowly into the day, and I generally am buzzing with energy by 6 am. If I wake up at 7 am, especially in the summer when it’s already light out, I feel behind, stressed, etc and that just makes me lay in bed longer.
Knowing this, about three years ago I started working at a bakery where shifts start at 4 and 5:30. It’s always funny to me how some of my coworkers, while present and doing their jobs, clearly aren’t full awake until 8 or 9, whereas I on the other hand am talking a mile a minute the second I get in the door and I haven’t even had coffee yet. It’s also funny because even as a really little kid I had a reputation of being able to sleep forever. I slept until 2 pm as a teenager most weekends if my parents didn’t notice. I think my internal rhythm is just off but waking up super early is the only thing between me getting up and living my life and languishing depressed in bed all day.
#25
I work for a living and my job requires I be there by 6am.
#27
Workout before work.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 1 year ago
I ride a bike in so I technically get a work out. I also do this year round. I had to take the bus in twice last year because of snow.
#28
I wake up at 5am because somehow it makes my day longer and I get around 2 hours extra than those who don't.As a result, my day goes smoothly and I am likely to carry out my routine on time without worrying about getting late.
I do sleep early ofc.
#30
I go to sleep at 5pm
What do you think ?
Daria 1 year ago
I'm a nigh owl, and rising before 8 a.m. might turn me into a mindless zombie. Better not risk it.
Isabelle Lamarque 1 year ago
Saw a documentary about early birds/night owls. Their systems just work differently and a famous person here spoke out for night owls. He tried 3 months of living in his own rythme going to bed at 3am and sleeping until 10.30am. While being followed up by doctors and brain scans and such. He was more effective during this time, more active, happy and energetic. Sadly society isn't very accepting of this difference in biology. Work life isn't made for this and same for school. Kids going through puberty are in a night owl fase and need more sleep but are expected to be at school before their brain is 'ready' for productivity. Sorry for the long post but it was really interesting 🤗😅
Load More Replies...
Silver5trike 1 year ago
Compared to most people around me (late teenager here), I'm pretty odd bc I wake up at around 4.30 5ish, buts it's just really peaceful and I get to bed by 10-11 anyway so I end up having a nicer day and I'm just that much more calm :)
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
I wake up at 5am and the first thing I do is immediately roll over and go back to sleep.
DrBronxx 1 year ago
We have a baby who's coming up on 4 months. However, she's a good sleeper (so far). So, If I get up at 5, I can get a lot more done while she's asleep, because then I have to go to work, and when I come home, it's all baby, baby! Also, by getting stuff done in the morning, I save my wife from trying to take on too much during the day, and being hard on herself for "not getting enough stuff done". It also means she can sleep a little longer in the mornings. I usually leave the house before she gets up, with breakfast ready for her in the kitchen.
Florence O'Grady 1 year ago
Hello DrBronxx, I hope she knows she has a gem for a husband.
Load More Replies... JamezyJamez 1 year ago
For me it's the 3 cats. Those bastards sleep all day and then wake up at 4:30am with the energy of a toddler. Also, I like to go for a run in the mornings and where I live the summers are so hot and humid that by 6am it's already unbearable to run outside. That, and treadmills were invented by the devil.
ThisIsMe 1 year ago
I get up 3 days a week at 4:30 to make sure my husband has his lunch, coffee, phone, wallet, keys, work shoes vs crocs, shirt not inside out, takes his pills...and to see him before he leaves. Most times I go back to bed until 6:30. Whether I do or don't, I'm not waking up feeling lonely in an empty house. It does a lot for my mental health, and he appreciates the attention. Some mornings the alarm goes off and he's by my side saying "I go up early and I've got everything just go back to sleep". But I still get to see his face and get my good morning kiss.
Chucky Cheezburger 1 year ago
I'm usually up before 2 am. Have to be at work by 6. This gives me time to wake up, play my bass without disturbing my wife, and generally goof off and do things I'm to worn out to do after work. Yes, I go to bed early AF, but this is what works for me.
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
i had to get up at 5am for work for years. No, i cant get used to it. I loved the early mornings bicycle rides and the sunsets, but I would have to do a nap after my shift around 2pm, and i would always wake up grumpy as fvck. If i stayed awake i would turn into a zombie. Nope.
Brandon Parisien 1 year ago
I CANNOT sleep before 10; sleeping before midnight is hard. People getting up before 6 AM for anything besides work are truly insane! :)
Rosie 1 year ago
The days I go to the office I'm up by 4:30am. Years ago I lived far from the office & changed my hours from 8-5pm to 7-4pm to beat the worst of the traffic jams. Now I live nearby, but the office is downtown, so parking costs a bundle & I have to get there before 6:30 to get any hope of finding a handicapped (free) spot. Alas, I'm a night owl.
ChexmyLicks/egg 1 year ago
when quarantine started, i only slept 3 times a week. Since i basically do nothing actually nothing rlly exhaust me except being alive
Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
I applaud those and am sincerely in awe of anyone who get up by 5am. I TRIED for a few days and would feel so sleepy and nodding off only an hour later. I would go to sleep at 9 if I had the chance but it never happens due to the household.
Sami-Jo Ross 1 year ago
I work at 8AM. I'm in bed by 10PM and up at about 6AM, gives me time to shower, have breakfast, and chill before I go in.
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
I have to get up at 4:30 am occasionally for early more competitive canoeing practice and it is truly torture some times. Doing sports that early in the morning for me is like sleepwalking.
Keely King 1 year ago
I wake up embarrassingly early (4:10) for some time to myself. I'm a single mom and a teacher, and I like to read a chapter of a book in the tub, watch an adult show while I put on makeup, and think about the day ahead in peace. I'm always tired, but it's worth it!
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
I had to get up at 5:00 for decades to go to work. I looked forward to retirement and sleeping in. Wrong! Now I'm conditioned to getting up at 5:00. Just another way working for the "Man" screwed up my life.
Cooking Panda 1 year ago
I'm up usually at around 4-4.30 but sometimes at 3 when i feel like it. Mainly for religious reason, but i also find it easier to study early in the morning (taking online classes, doing assignments, etc.). Maybe it's the peace & quiet. Also I have kids, and school starts at 7 here. So there you go 🤷♀️
The Doom Song 1 year ago
I like 5am. It's super peaceful. Can take the dog for a walk without running into anyone. I've learned to like it even though it's winter here right now so we are out walking in the cold and dark.
GenericPanda09 1 year ago
it's not so much that I wake up at 05:00Hrs every day, but more like I just don't naturally sleep for more than 4 hrs at a time. If I'm knackered and go to sleep at say 23:00Hrs - I wont wake up at 06:00Hrs the next morning having had *more* sleep.... I'll just wake up at 03:00Hrs and be wanting a nap about 09:00Hrs
I give up on society 1 year ago
Years and years of military service has ruined any chance of sleeping in. If im not working that day. I'm still up by 4 am. Can't sleep passed that time.
sturmwesen 1 year ago
My body is conditioned to wake up between 6 and seven since my teens (first school, later to walk the dog). Mostly I wake up at 5.30 right now thanks to a neighbour going to work at that time (he is not loud, I am a light sleeper)
Daria 1 year ago
I'm a nigh owl, and rising before 8 a.m. might turn me into a mindless zombie. Better not risk it.
Isabelle Lamarque 1 year ago
Saw a documentary about early birds/night owls. Their systems just work differently and a famous person here spoke out for night owls. He tried 3 months of living in his own rythme going to bed at 3am and sleeping until 10.30am. While being followed up by doctors and brain scans and such. He was more effective during this time, more active, happy and energetic. Sadly society isn't very accepting of this difference in biology. Work life isn't made for this and same for school. Kids going through puberty are in a night owl fase and need more sleep but are expected to be at school before their brain is 'ready' for productivity. Sorry for the long post but it was really interesting 🤗😅
Load More Replies... Silver5trike 1 year ago
Compared to most people around me (late teenager here), I'm pretty odd bc I wake up at around 4.30 5ish, buts it's just really peaceful and I get to bed by 10-11 anyway so I end up having a nicer day and I'm just that much more calm :)
Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago
I wake up at 5am and the first thing I do is immediately roll over and go back to sleep.
DrBronxx 1 year ago
We have a baby who's coming up on 4 months. However, she's a good sleeper (so far). So, If I get up at 5, I can get a lot more done while she's asleep, because then I have to go to work, and when I come home, it's all baby, baby! Also, by getting stuff done in the morning, I save my wife from trying to take on too much during the day, and being hard on herself for "not getting enough stuff done". It also means she can sleep a little longer in the mornings. I usually leave the house before she gets up, with breakfast ready for her in the kitchen.
Florence O'Grady 1 year ago
Hello DrBronxx, I hope she knows she has a gem for a husband.
Load More Replies... JamezyJamez 1 year ago
For me it's the 3 cats. Those bastards sleep all day and then wake up at 4:30am with the energy of a toddler. Also, I like to go for a run in the mornings and where I live the summers are so hot and humid that by 6am it's already unbearable to run outside. That, and treadmills were invented by the devil.
ThisIsMe 1 year ago
I get up 3 days a week at 4:30 to make sure my husband has his lunch, coffee, phone, wallet, keys, work shoes vs crocs, shirt not inside out, takes his pills...and to see him before he leaves. Most times I go back to bed until 6:30. Whether I do or don't, I'm not waking up feeling lonely in an empty house. It does a lot for my mental health, and he appreciates the attention. Some mornings the alarm goes off and he's by my side saying "I go up early and I've got everything just go back to sleep". But I still get to see his face and get my good morning kiss.
Chucky Cheezburger 1 year ago
I'm usually up before 2 am. Have to be at work by 6. This gives me time to wake up, play my bass without disturbing my wife, and generally goof off and do things I'm to worn out to do after work. Yes, I go to bed early AF, but this is what works for me.
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
i had to get up at 5am for work for years. No, i cant get used to it. I loved the early mornings bicycle rides and the sunsets, but I would have to do a nap after my shift around 2pm, and i would always wake up grumpy as fvck. If i stayed awake i would turn into a zombie. Nope.
Brandon Parisien 1 year ago
I CANNOT sleep before 10; sleeping before midnight is hard. People getting up before 6 AM for anything besides work are truly insane! :)
Rosie 1 year ago
The days I go to the office I'm up by 4:30am. Years ago I lived far from the office & changed my hours from 8-5pm to 7-4pm to beat the worst of the traffic jams. Now I live nearby, but the office is downtown, so parking costs a bundle & I have to get there before 6:30 to get any hope of finding a handicapped (free) spot. Alas, I'm a night owl.
ChexmyLicks/egg 1 year ago
when quarantine started, i only slept 3 times a week. Since i basically do nothing actually nothing rlly exhaust me except being alive
Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
I applaud those and am sincerely in awe of anyone who get up by 5am. I TRIED for a few days and would feel so sleepy and nodding off only an hour later. I would go to sleep at 9 if I had the chance but it never happens due to the household.
Sami-Jo Ross 1 year ago
I work at 8AM. I'm in bed by 10PM and up at about 6AM, gives me time to shower, have breakfast, and chill before I go in.
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
I have to get up at 4:30 am occasionally for early more competitive canoeing practice and it is truly torture some times. Doing sports that early in the morning for me is like sleepwalking.
Keely King 1 year ago
I wake up embarrassingly early (4:10) for some time to myself. I'm a single mom and a teacher, and I like to read a chapter of a book in the tub, watch an adult show while I put on makeup, and think about the day ahead in peace. I'm always tired, but it's worth it!
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
I had to get up at 5:00 for decades to go to work. I looked forward to retirement and sleeping in. Wrong! Now I'm conditioned to getting up at 5:00. Just another way working for the "Man" screwed up my life.
Cooking Panda 1 year ago
I'm up usually at around 4-4.30 but sometimes at 3 when i feel like it. Mainly for religious reason, but i also find it easier to study early in the morning (taking online classes, doing assignments, etc.). Maybe it's the peace & quiet. Also I have kids, and school starts at 7 here. So there you go 🤷♀️
The Doom Song 1 year ago
I like 5am. It's super peaceful. Can take the dog for a walk without running into anyone. I've learned to like it even though it's winter here right now so we are out walking in the cold and dark.
GenericPanda09 1 year ago
it's not so much that I wake up at 05:00Hrs every day, but more like I just don't naturally sleep for more than 4 hrs at a time. If I'm knackered and go to sleep at say 23:00Hrs - I wont wake up at 06:00Hrs the next morning having had *more* sleep.... I'll just wake up at 03:00Hrs and be wanting a nap about 09:00Hrs
I give up on society 1 year ago
Years and years of military service has ruined any chance of sleeping in. If im not working that day. I'm still up by 4 am. Can't sleep passed that time.
sturmwesen 1 year ago
My body is conditioned to wake up between 6 and seven since my teens (first school, later to walk the dog). Mostly I wake up at 5.30 right now thanks to a neighbour going to work at that time (he is not loud, I am a light sleeper)
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