I’ll admit it: I’ve had a bit of a reputation. In school, at home, even after getting married, I’ve been the one known for sleeping in. You might even call me a “brand ambassador” for the late morning rise. But does that make me lazy? Not exactly. If there’s work to be done, I’m up and at it – even if it means getting up, tackling the task, and then heading back to bed. Blame it on years of being on call with a pager, training me to function at odd hours.

My dad, though, always preached the gospel of the early morning. “Get up early,” he’d say, “and reading in the morning will help your brain store information.” Back in my school days, I was so desperate to avoid those 5 AM wake-up calls that I’d bribe my sister with sarees! But his words, despite my resistance, have stuck with me. He believed that the early morning fosters focus, productivity, and the cultivation of a good habit.

Ironically, “late” for me is 7 AM. I know, some of you early birds are probably laughing! But it brings up the question: Is there really “magic” in waking up early? Some people do it to please others, to score brownie points. My dad wanted me to do it for cognitive benefits. My grandmother had a different take: in her culture, waking up early at your mother-in-law’s house was a sign of respect.

So, who’s right? Well, in my experience, there’s truth to my dad’s perspective. The brain does feel different in those early hours. It’s fresh, rested, and there are fewer distractions. You can often power through tasks with surprising speed. And there’s also the practical benefit: finishing your work early leaves you with more free time later in the day.

But is it a universally “good habit”? That’s where it gets subjective. It depends on your lifestyle, your natural rhythms, and what works best for you.

For me, the real secret to waking up in the morning? It’s simple: turn off the fan!