- Successful people across industries are known for waking up early.
- They also practice other healthy habits like exercise and meditation.
- Apple CEO Tim Cook wakes up between 4 and 5 a.m. and starts his day by answering emails.
There are two types of people in the world: those who welcome the morning sunshine and those who try to snooze it into oblivion.
People like Issa Rae and Tim Cook belong to the former category, crafting tailored morning routines that begin while their peers are still dreaming.
Some of the benefits of waking up early include higher levels of energy and mental clarity, a higher likeliness to succeed, and, for women, a decreased risk of developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, Business Insider reported in 2019.
But the most successful people’s healthy habits don’t stop with their early alarms; some common recurring themes in their routines include meditation and regular exercise, both of which are beneficial to the mind and body.
“Research has found that meditation can reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and increase feelings of calm and relaxation,” wrote Business Insider’s Rebecca Cairns.
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all method to hacking a perfect morning routine — especially with specific career demands, commute times, childcare needs, etc. — but if you’re looking for a little motivation to make a change, here are 15 successful early risers you can draw inspiration from.