Things to do at dawn

Illustrations by Jesse Kuhn

Here comes the sun Start your day with a moment of Zen. Look for this symbol to find the perfect spot in your area to watch dawn break.

We expect you know exactly what landed you on this shift—the one that begins at 6am or earlier, depending on which side of sunrise your diapered rooster begins to crow. What you may not know is, what’s in it for you? A lot. The wee hours of the day, when the streets are quiet and the crowds of demanding people have yet to descend, can be surprisingly productive ones here in the city that—supposedly—never sleeps. Plus, getting moving in the morning is a great way to outrun the post-childbirth blues. “It can be hard to bundle up the baby and get out, but when you do, you feel better,” says Nell Gibbon, a mom, therapist and co-coordinator for Postpartum Support International. She recommends exercise, erranding and social activities to make the early hours feel brighter. So prepare the snowsuit and stroller for takeoff. The early bird does indeed get the worm—as well as a tight booty, a just-caffeinated Apple tech expert and the freshest of muffins.

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Bonus: Got a little insomniac? Find places to go after dark with your babe.