Every productivity reel begins with waking up early. The secret to victory, the ultimate mantra to fitness, the perfect study timetable, the reason could be anything. But the whole world swears by waking up at 5 AM to chase success.
Although it may seem like a chore, waking up on time does have benefits for your body. However, is waking up at 6 AM or 7 AM just as efficient, or does 5 AM hold a special magic that no other time does?
What’s The Magic Behind Waking Up At 5 AM?
Despite being glorified across various platforms, 5 AM doesn’t actually possess extraordinary benefits. The benefit actually comes from getting an ample amount of good-quality sleep.
Waking up early is often confused with being productive; however, reality isn’t as simple. The human body has its own biological clock, or the “circadian rhythm”, that determines whether or not we’re productive.
As per Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Chief CVTS surgeon, Cardiovascular and Thoracic, MICS, Trauma and Transplant surgeon, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, “The nervous system functions best when it receives consistent, restorative sleep of 7 to 8 hours, regardless of whether you wake up earlier or later.”
This means waking up earlier or later doesn’t really have a biological advantage unless it’s paired with an adequate amount of sleep. If the required sleep cycle hasn’t been achieved, waking up at 5 AM can do no good. On the other hand, waking up later at 6 to 7 AM will have a higher benefit if paired with proper rest as required by the body.
Chasing an unrealistic wake-up time could actually take a toll on health, as it could lead to obesity, hypertension, and increased chances of heart attacks and strokes if allowed to persist for a long time.
Neuroscientist and author Rachel Barr explains how the human body responds well to proper sleep and not a particular time stamp. She says, “We’re often told that the key to productivity and success is early rising, but it’s not just your alarm that decides when you and your brain properly wake up; it’s also your body.
We have an internal timekeeping system that decides, you know, when we get hungry, when we get sleepy, and critically, when we’re the most alert and the most productive. The trouble is, a big portion of that is decided for you by your genetics. If you have the genetic profile of a night owl, it means that you sleep and wake a little bit later. 5 am is probably not going to cut it.”
This shows that imposing waking up at 5 AM makes no sense if our bodies are not conditioned to work efficiently during that time. Most people are productive in the morning, while some others function well at night. It’s not about when the clock strikes a particular hour of the day; it’s about how our bodies respond.
Read More: Why Sleeping With The Lights On Is Bad For You
The Real Reason
The real reason 5 AM is given importance isn’t entirely connected to biology, but to the discipline it brings. Early mornings, particularly 5 AM, are quieter and less vulnerable to distractions. Saurabh Bothra, yoga teacher and co-founder of Habuild, explained this in an Indian Express editorial.
He says, “Our nervous system loves predictability. When you sleep and wake up at the same time every day, your body starts preparing for that rhythm automatically. This is why, for many people, a consistent 5 am practice feels easier and more energising than a late, irregular start.”
It’s more about the psychology and structure, so it is advised to wake up in the wee hours of the day when there are no distractions. When a person wakes up as early as 5 AM, it makes them feel “ahead” of others, as most of their work is done while most people are asleep.
Adding to this, Dr Bothra elaborates on the psychology of why people prefer to wake up in the early hours of the day to get most of their tasks completed. He explains, “Around 5 am, most people are in a lighter stage of sleep, so getting up feels easier and more refreshing.
The air is cooler and quieter at that hour, which supports a calm ‘rest-and-restore’ response instead of the heightened alertness triggered by noise and activity later in the morning. By 7 am, the day’s sounds, screens, and traffic already activate the stress side of the nervous system.”
However, despite the psychological advantages, this early timing isn’t really universal. Waking up at 5 AM is easier only if a person has had enough rest the previous night and is willing to leave the bed early.
If this routine is chased mindlessly with an inefficient rhythm and sleep cycle, it’ll cause more harm than help.
What The Body Really Needs
Whether it’s 5 AM or 7 AM, it all differs from person to person. The 5 AM routine works for some, not because of the hour itself, but because it brings fewer distractions and traffic, and gives a sense of control.
7 AM is equally efficient when the body is well rested and prepared to go through the toils of the day. There’s really no magic in any hour; rather, it’s about the structure that they bring.
Instead of forcing the body into a lifestyle trend, it’s important to take up habits that align with the natural requirements of the body. There’s absolutely no harm in waking up at a later hour if that brings along productivity and good health.
At the end, productivity doesn’t come with the time you wake up; it comes with doing what you’re supposed to do.
Images: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, The Times of India, National Institutes of Health
Find the blogger: @shubhangichoudhary_29
This post is tagged under: sleep cycle, circadian rhythm, 5 am routine, morning productivity, wake up early trend, health and sleep, gen z productivity myths, sleep hygiene, early morning routine, productivity tips, Indian lifestyle trends, mental health and sleep, morning habits, wellness routine, sleep science, discipline vs productivity, morning psychology, sleep deprivation effects, healthy habits India
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right or copyright over any of the images used; these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly email us.
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