I don’t necessarily consider myself a “morning person.” O.K., to be fair, I am not a night owl, either. I like sleep. However, I also really enjoy a good sunrise. Sunsets are great, too. But sunsets have a totally different vibe. Sunsets are the close to a good day, a reason to enjoy a cocktail, a time to relax and wind down. If you can force yourself to get up early enough to beat the sun up, you will be in for a very special treat.

First of all, in most cases, at sunrise you will encounter very few, if any, other human beings. Particularly in vacation spots, like the beach or a mountain resort, the other people stayed up late, don’t need to be anywhere at a particular time, and are enjoying their sleep. Secondly, if you are in a hot location and/or season, it is much cooler early in the morning, making exercise or just being outside more bearable. In addition, when you are up with the sun you get to see the animal world wake up and start going about their business of finding breakfast.

Here is my strong recommendation: Get up early. Go for a long walk. Do a little yoga. Or just sit, breathe deeply, watch the sky turn pink, then orange, then bright. Don’t play music. Don’t talk too much to your companions. Just be. Prepare your mind, body, and emotions for the day ahead and all it might have to offer. It’s a fresh start, a blank slate. Yesterday’s worries or stressors or conflicts are behind you. Today is a new day. Acknowledge, appreciate, and salute the sunrise. You might find you enjoy it so much you will want to repeat the experience as often as possible.