A street light shines into your window…the soft sound of the breeze outside…you roll to your side. You open your eyes, and peer at the digital clock, sitting on your bedside table. It reads: 5:00 am. Quiet. Only you are awake. After getting out of bed, you decide to get a jumpstart on that project you’ve been assigned while you enjoy a bowl of Froot Loops. Then, you exercise until 6:30. You get to school 15 minutes early, which gives you time to settle in before first period.
It’s 8:00 am, but your day started hours ago. You are already wide awake and feeling better than ever. These are the thrills of waking up at the crack of dawn. From athletes to teachers, many people swear by rising early. But why? What really are the advantages of a sunrise start? How can teens improve their sleep schedule?
The stereotypical teenager goes to bed late, and sleeps late. But, the stereotypical teenager isn’t all teenagers.
“Waking up early is good for your mental health, because it helps to slow down your day, and breathe,” says Hajar Afifi ‘28, a freshman at Edison High.
Afifi once had a “bad” sleep schedule. She would go to sleep around 5 am, and wake up around 1 or 2 pm. Now, Afifi goes to bed around 9 most nights, waking up at around 5 am every morning. Why is going to sleep late and waking up late “bad”?
People who go to bed and get up later establish habits that may have long term, even severe consequences.
Christopher Hublin, a researcher from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, told CNN, “The increased risk of mortality associated with being a clearly ‘evening’ person appears to be mainly accounted for by a larger consumption of tobacco and alcohol. This is compared to those who are clearly ‘morning’ persons.”
Rising earlier can also allow for more time to complete activities, such as following through on that workout regimen you’ve promised yourself.
Teddy Eyler ‘25, a leader and player for the baseball team at EHS, says, “I get up early to exercise…It makes me feel more productive.”
Morning exercise, like Eyler’s routine, improves sleep quality better than evening exercise.
Exercise is important for staying physically healthy. Exercise can also improve mental health, such as reducing stress or boosting your self esteem. Exercise can also improve focus, which is helpful for school or work. Working out could even boost your metabolism, allowing you to lose weight. Allowing yourself more time for exercise in the morning will improve your quality of life—and wait for it—your quality of sleep. What teen doesn’t want improved sleep?
Take, for instance, the insight of Vincent Abene, a Special Ed and History teacher and the head Varsity baseball coach at EHS.
“[Getting up early] boosts my energy. After exercising, I feel more awake. I feelit positively affects my mental health and mood by setting goals to achieve,” said Abene. “It keeps my overall health at a priority.”
Cherish Owosu ‘28 added, “Getting up early makes it so I can get an earlier start on my homework, and that keeps my grades up.” Owosu always wakes up early and hates going to sleep late.
Rising at dawn allows for a fresh mind, increasing productivity. It gives time to complete remaining homework or just to watch your favorite show before work or school.
People who beat the alarm clock have increased confidence.
Damien Calandra ‘28 said, “It makes me feel more ready to go, you know what I’m saying?”
