5 reasons to rise early

Welcome to Sharon's mind.body.fitness connection! This new bi-weekly column will be filled with ideas, life experiences and facts on how you can lead a healthy life, filled with peace, love and a sense of joy and fulfilment!

I look forward to sharing my stories and hope that you, too, will be inspired to live life to its fullest. Today, I want to share five great reasons to wake up early this summer!

I was never a morning person. That was not until I had kids and I could not find a moment in my day to take care of me. Now, the early moments just before the sun rises are my very own and I treasure them with all my heart. In the stillness of the dawn, I start my day in a state of gratitude for everything in my life. No matter how many challenges I may be facing, giving thanks helps me to put things in perspective and remind me how truly blessed I am to be alive!

My yoga mat

Then I get moving! I either roll out my yoga mat and do some sun salutations followed by meditation or a run outside where I marvel at the beauty of our country or find my way to the gym to spin or do a workout. Not only do these activities make me feel good and accomplished, I know I have done something healthy and positive for me and I now have energy to take care of my kids and have a productive day at work.

Even more motivating, studies have shown that 90 per cent of people who have successful fitness routines usually work out early in the morning. So I know that the odds are with me that I am going to stick to my fitness routine when I start my day in this way.

Sharon McConnell-Feanny is a certified yoga instructor and co-owner of Shakti Mind Body Fitness in Kingston. She has more than 25 years experience in the health and fitness industry.

 Here are five reasons that get me out of bed:

1. Exercising early in the morning jump-starts the metabolism, keeping it elevated for hours!

2. Early morning exercisers tend to be more disciplined and have more consistent energy throughout the day.

3.
Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental clarity
- a benefit that lasts four to 10 hours after the workout ends.

4. Regular exercise generally means a higher quality of sleep and helps with insomnia.

5. When you exercise at about the same time every morning, you are regulating your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythm. Your body learns to wake up naturally and you look forward to getting up!

So, why not give it a try this summer? Set your alarm an hour earlier, rise and shine and get moving!