If, like me, you have been loving the earlier sunrises for the past couple of weeks, then the start of Daylight Savings over the weekend may have been an unwelcome arrival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I wasn't always an early riser. There were times, many moons ago, when I was more likely to be going to bed as the sun was emerging over the horizon for the day rather than getting up then.
But over the years, and especially since having kids, getting up in what many would describe as the wee hours has become a much-loved routine.
As with anything, it takes time to develop a new habit. So, while right now getting up early for some could seem as likely as coronavirus just disappearing from our lives altogether, that does not mean that it can't become a daily habit in the future.
The benefits are plenty.
It is quiet. There is something wondrous, especially as a parent, about the sheer silence of an early morning run, walk, ride, swim or workout. Even popular pathways around the region are not crowded at that time of the day.
It is not too hot. This is especially beneficial at this time of year when the weather is warming up and it might be nothing to be sweating profusely by 7am, if not before.
It is scenic. No matter where you are - the beach, the bush, the local park or even your yard, there is something hypnotic about seeing the sun burst over the horizon and the colours of the sky before it emerges. It always brings a smile to my face.
It can bring focus and energy. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I am so much more motivated and energetic on the days when I get up in the dark to exercise at sunrise. If I sleep later and don't get moving then I feel sluggish and slower and everything in day-to-day life seems that little bit harder.
It can kickstart a day of more activity. If I have exercised in the morning then I am more likely to hit the recommended 10,000 steps a day for good health than if I haven't.
The hardest part can actually be getting up. And that might be the case this week for even the most routined of early rises.
The trick is getting to bed early. Try to stick as much to your usual routine while adapting to the Daylight Savings transition this week.
Commit to meeting a training buddy. That way when the alarm goes off and you are thinking twice about getting up, you will have the added accountability of helping someone else stick to their health and fitness goals.
Prepare your gear the night before. The more organised you are the night before, the easier it will be to get up and get going in the morning.
Be realistic. If you are not an early riser but want to become one, start out by setting small goals, such as getting up for 20 minutes of exercise to start with. Do this for the first week then gradually set your alarm earlier each week until you have an hour each day to exercise.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.
