In our ‘mad-rush’ world, we are always trying to find more time, more hours in a day. This has led to earlier and earlier start times for work. It is now quite common for those working regular day jobs to come to work at 6 or 7 o’clock in the morning.
Radio and television stations, aware of this migration to earlier and earlier starts to our work day, are advancing their morning programming. Newscasts are now starting as early as 4 and 4:30 a.m.
Though we live in a society that values early morning rising, even the early birds of the world are not designed to rise this early. Very early morning waking results in sleep deprivation and leads to high levels of sleepiness and fatigue. Though the goal of early rising is supposed to be more time to get more done, the truth of the matter is that productivity and performance suffer in these circumstances. We are also more likely to succumb to colds, flus, stress and depression and this leads to increases in absenteeism and sick time.
What are we really gaining with these very early mornings? Is it worth it or is it just an illusion that contributes further to the ‘mad-rush’ lifestyle?