WHAT HAPPENS WHEN...
I join the 5am club?
Rising and grinding can unlock health and happiness – but you need to work with your body clock, not against it
WORDS: IAN TAYLOR.
ILLUSTRATION: PETER GRUNDY
1 Lark or owl?
Your body’s natural preference to be awake and alert at certain times of the day is determined by genetics and your circadian rhythm. Five AM wake-ups will work better if you’re a lark rather than a night owl, and forcing yourself up unnaturally early can lead to health issues such as reduced immune function, but it’s possible to reset your body clock a little. ‘You can shift your clock by an hour or two,’ says Victoria Revell, a sleep researcher at the University of Surrey. ‘Getting light early in the morning is important and keeping a regular sleep-wake pattern is critical.’