Many successful people credit “getting up early” as one of the keys to their success. However, what are those people doing with that extra time? Here are some suggestions for things early birds can do to get their day started right.

Recently on Medium.com, Andrew Merle shared why early risers like Richard Branson, Tim Cook, Michelle Obama and others make getting up early part of their daily routine. But what exactly are they doing during that bonus time that makes them more productive? Here are some of things the experts say to do to get started on a great day.

Do 20+ minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.

Twenty minutes or more of exercise produces a mental and emotional boost for the following 12 hours. It helps you be clear-headed, effective and productive at work. It also allows you to think and problem-solve without interruption.

Drink 16 oz. of water immediately.

Rehydrate after your 7–8 hours of sleep.

Make your bed.

Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity throughout the day.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

While it doesn’t need to be big, your breakfast should fuel your body for the demands of the day. Remember to include energy-packed fruits and vegetables. (Earlier on SmallBusiness.com: On the go breakfast ideas.)

Drink 1–2 cups of coffee.

Give yourself a morning boost while reaping the proven health benefits (that is, if you don’t add gobs of cream and sugar).

Catch up on the news.

Use the quiet time to know what’s happening in the world around you.

Prioritize your day.

Establish your top priorities and think about how to tackle them.

(via: Andrew Merle on Medium.com)

(Illustration: From photo by Susanne Nilsson via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)