I wake up at 5am without fail, even at weekends. I’m a morning person; my brain does its best creative and analytical work between 4am and 3pm. I’ve become strict about consistent sleep and wake times because circadian science is clear —regularity anchors everything.
The first hour is mine and mine alone. I brew coffee, keep the house dark and quiet and sit in front of a 10,000-lux light that mimics morning sunlight. At 5am here in Florida it’s still dark, so the light helps set my circadian rhythm and wake my brain properly. I review my schedule, think, read and enjoy the silence. I’m very public in my work, but I recharge like an introvert — that quiet hour is foundational for stress management.
