As the recently appointed host of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Sara Cox wakes up the nation from 6.30am on weekday mornings. And luckily, the presenter and author finds herself naturally energised at that time of day.

'I am 100% a morning person,' she recently told The Independent. That is where my energy is. When I’m writing my books, I’m getting up at 4:50am and I am writing from 5am and for those 90 minutes until half six, that is when my brain is at its sharpest and when my mood is at its highest.'

She added: 'I think that all comes naturally when you want to squeeze more into your day as you get older. The thought now of having a lie-in until 11am or 12pm at the weekend now is so alien to me. I hate the thought of wasting a minute, even at the weekend.'

And when she has time, she uses a fitness trick that plays to her strengths. 'If I’m going to exercise, I want to exercise first thing as that’s when I’ve got the energy,' she said. 'I’ve made my garage into a little gym so I often go in there and do a weight workout and I’ve also recently started doing classes again.'

Fitness experts agree that getting a workout in when you wake is one of the best times of day to bank it - the later you leave it, the more likely other commitments like work and family duties will get in the way.

But there are other ways, too, to maximise your early mornings, says Good Housekeeping's Dr Mo Khaki.

'Getting natural light in your eyes within 30 minutes of waking supports your circadian rhythm, mood and energy,' he says. 'Even five to 10 minutes outside or by a bright window is better than checking your phone in the dark.'

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And don't forget to hydrate. 'After seven to nine hours without water, your body is dehydrated, and dehydration can affect mood, cognition and even anxiety levels. The simple act of drinking a glass of water when you wake up helps your brain and body perform better,' he says.

And Dr Mo also has a tip for anyone who finds that stress or anxiety tend to bite first thing. 'Concentrate on a scent or the feel of your bedclothes. Soft, classical music can also bring you back to the present, help you stop overthinking and regulate your nervous system. Even just standing barefoot on the floor will help ground you. That can help set you up for the day ahead.'