Rise and Shine: The Power of Getting Up When You Wake Up

When the morning light nudges our eyes open, it’s a signal to rise, not to linger. So often, we spend those precious early minutes lying in bed, half-awake and fully wasting time that could energize our day. This is a habit to break—a small change that can reshape how we greet each morning. Imagine if each of us developed the habit of rising quickly upon waking. It’s simple, not necessarily easy, but it’s absolutely doable and worth it.

A significant key that helps build this habit is avoiding the urge to check the time. Checking the clock might seem harmless, but it opens the door to procrastination. Our mind often justifies lying around with thoughts like, “I still have a few minutes to kill.” This is a trap. We rationalize those extra minutes, but in truth, they rarely add anything to our rest and can easily lead to a lazy start.

Instead, develop the mindset: I get up when I wake up. Period. Time is too valuable to be lost in bed. Every morning is an opportunity to do something meaningful, to learn something new, or to embrace life in all its richness. Life is out there, beautiful and inviting, waiting for us to engage with it. Sticking around in bed only postpones this connection.

One way to stay motivated to get up and get moving is to have something to look forward to in the morning. Find something that excites you—a favorite podcast or YouTube channel to enjoy over breakfast, a gratitude practice to start the day positively, or perhaps the quiet calm of morning air on a walk. No matter how small, these motivations can help pull you out of bed and into action.

So let’s make it a habit. Stop checking the time and start rising up as soon as you open your eyes. By cultivating this habit, we welcome the day with a readiness that can set a productive, joyful tone. Rise early, rise strong, and let each day be a fresh beginning filled with purpose and energy.