Reasons Morning People Are Awesome

A UK study found that people who get out of bed by 6:58 a.m. are happier, thinner, and less likely to suffer from depression than those who wake up later. Not even close to the 7:00 a.m. mark? Here are five more reasons to convert your night owl tendencies.

 You'll Rock It at Work

Those who hop out of bed without hitting the snooze button a trillion times approach their careers with a more hands-on attitude. Researchers at the University of Education in Heidelberg, Germany, found that night folks tend to be more creative, but the early birds usually have advanced problem-solving skills. Those same skills also meant that morning people were the ones who anticipated problems and minimized them before they became bigger issues—all desirable traits in a candidate for a top position at work. Sounds like the makings for a promotion, dontcha think?

 You'll Be More Reliable

If you find yourself procrastinating and often missing deadlines at work, or find yourself a little moodier than you—and your partner—would prefer, then you might want to consider waking up earlier. According to a study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, nighttime people are less reliable, less emotionally stable, and more likely to have addictions (eek!). So instead of planning a late-night date night to that comedy club every weekend, suggest getting together for a morning run or grabbing breakfast before you head to the office.

 You'll Be More Alert

Scientists at the University of Alberta found that an early bird's brain is more excitable, and thus more alert, at 9 a.m., perfect for professionalistas. Those who function better post-cocktails, however, reach their brain peak at 9 p.m—not such a great time for banging out assignments or crafting the perfect presentation. And according to research at the University of Toronto, morning people tend get more sleep than their late-night counterparts (thanks, Netflix binge), resulting in more awareness, a healthier immune system, and a more positive outlook about their day-to-day activities.

Good news: You can shift when your brain peaks by slowly changing when you get up and when you go to bed. For a week, go to bed 10 minutes earlier and wake up 10 minutes earlier (no snoozing!). The next week, add 10 more minutes. Research shows that over time, you can become a morning person, change your habits, and reap the job-promoting, health-boosting benefits.