Karan Patel showed his brutally honest side when he admitted to not being a morning person. The Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actor even attributed his TV character Raman Bhalla’s angry demeanour to the morning shooting schedules. “I can’t do shoots in the morning. Morning shoots can happen, but don’t expect me to turn up. If you expect someone to work, then the person should be in the mood to work wholeheartedly. I can’t wake up in the morning,” Patel said.
However, he revealed that he does wake up early to go to the gym. “Gym ke liye uth jaunga, kaam ke liye nahi ho paata. Yehi problem hai. (I can wake up for gym but not for work. This is a problem.) I reach for workout at 8-8.30,” Patel, 41, told Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa
Taking a leaf out of his confession, let’s explore why some struggle with going into work mode until much later in the day.
Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist and life coach, admitted that while it sounds humorous, “it echoes something I hear from clients across all ages and professions”. “This is NOT a problem! It’s your nervous system speaking or giving feedback on what works. It deserves to be heard,” said Delnna.
Why could it be happening?
Biological rhythms are real
Every human has an internal clock—your chronotype—that determines when your energy naturally rises and dips. “Some people peak at 6 a.m. Others are on fire at 11 p.m. I have personally worked with creators, coders, and writers whose most productive window is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.,” said Delnna.
Movement rewards, work demands
Exercise gives instant gratification – dopamine, serotonin, endorphins. “Work, especially if it’s mentally taxing or emotionally heavy, triggers performance anxiety and pressure. Your brain chooses what feels rewarding, not what looks impressive,” said Delnna.
Morning fog is mental protection, not procrastination
If you feel slow in the mornings, your brain may be conserving energy. According to Delnna, cognitive sharpness takes time. Jumping into spreadsheets at sunrise isn’t noble – it’s often unsustainable, contended Delnna.
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So, how do you work with yourself instead of against yourself?
Start the day with regulation, not pressure
Move, breathe, stretch, hydrate – calm your system before you challenge it.
Here’s what to note (Photo: Pixabay)
Stack momentum
Use post-workout clarity or movement energy to begin meaningful work. It’s not about time – it’s about timing.
Honour your peak hours
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Track when your brain is naturally focused. “Whether that’s 10 am or midnight, that’s your window of genius. Build your schedule around it, not against it,” said Delnna.
Stop worshiping the 5 am culture
Waking up early doesn’t make you worthy. “Showing up aligned and energised does,” said Delnna.
Design rhythms, not routines
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Routines are fixed. Rhythms are flexible and sustainable. Build systems that evolve with your energy. “You don’t need to change yourself to succeed. You need to understand yourself,” Delna signed off.