Throughout the UAE, a rising variety of residents are advocating for the workday to start as early as 6am. Many say that aligning work hours with their pure morning routines, similar to waking for Fajr prayer or exercising, would permit them to complete work earlier within the day. This shift may provide extra time for relaxation, errands, and household, whereas additionally probably boosting productiveness and lowering display fatigue, notably in the course of the scorching summer season months.
Early Risers Wish to End Early
For Dubai resident Amina Al Hammadi, the day begins nicely earlier than dawn. Talking to native information outlet Khaleej Occasions, she stated that she wakes up for the Fajr prayer at round 4:03am.“I get up for Fajr round 4.03am today,” Amina stated. “By the point I’m carried out with my prayer and breakfast, I’m conscious and prepared. However I nonetheless have to attend two, generally three hours earlier than work begins. I want I may simply get going at 6am and end early.”Amina believes that beginning quickly after Fajr prayer would allow her to finish her workday by 2pm, releasing up the remainder of the afternoon for household time, relaxation, or errands. She identified that this schedule can be particularly helpful in the summertime months, when the warmth could be draining by noon.“In the summertime, particularly, the warmth drains you by the afternoon. It will be so a lot better if we’re carried out by then,” she added.Equally, Alex, an American expat working in gross sales in Dubai, begins his day with a run at 5am adopted by a health club session. He shared with KT:“By 6am I’m absolutely alert, I’ve had my exercise, my espresso, and I really feel most efficient. However I waste a lot of that vitality ready for the workday to start out. I’d quite end by 2pm or 3pm after which have time for lunch, possibly a nap, and benefit from the night.”Alex additionally famous the influence on display fatigue. “In gross sales, you are continuously emailing or on Zoom. If I can frontload all that within the morning and get it over with, I’ll be sharper and fewer burned out.”
Consultants Weigh In: Well being and Productiveness Advantages
Whereas some UAE corporations have adopted versatile schedules, a regular early begin stays unusual. Dr. Reem Al Marzouqi, a Dubai-based occupational well being specialist, defined the scientific advantages of matching work hours with pure vitality peaks.“Individuals who get up early are likely to have larger cortisol ranges within the morning, which boosts alertness and focus,” Dr. Al Marzouqi informed KT. “Beginning the workday earlier faucets into that pure hormonal peak. Over time, this could improve productiveness and scale back dependence on stimulants like caffeine.”She additionally emphasised how earlier work hours can shield staff from the intense warmth typical of UAE summers.“Ending by early afternoon means avoiding peak warmth publicity, particularly for individuals who commute or work within the area. It additionally opens up extra usable sunlight hours for relaxation, household or bodily exercise,” she defined.From a psychological standpoint, Dr. Al Marzouqi stated earlier ending instances may scale back burnout attributable to prolonged display time late into the night.“Working till 6pm or 7pm, then spending the night on telephones or laptops, impacts circadian rhythms. Earlier wrap-up instances give folks a pure pause and permit their brains to disconnect earlier than mattress,” she stated.
Flexibility Is Key
Regardless of the advantages, Dr. Al Marzouqi cautioned that early begins are usually not a one-size-fits-all resolution.“Some individuals are wired otherwise. For evening owls, pushing a 6am begin would possibly backfire and enhance fatigue. Flexibility is vital, and employers ought to think about providing a number of shift choices the place potential,” she suggested.She advised corporations experiment with pilot applications to search out the perfect match for each staff and enterprise operations.“Even one thing easy like a 6am to 2pm trial twice every week may help establish what works finest for each worker vitality ranges and enterprise wants,” she concluded.
