If you’re like me one of the first things you do after you get dressed and ready for the day, or even before, is watch some good old YouTube. Here are 5 reasons why starting your day with YouTube can be immensely beneficial.

1. It can be the difference between a miserable morning and an uplifted one.

When people wake up, some of them would rather stay in bed until 10 minutes before they have to leave, then get up early and get ready. Getting ready early and watching something short and entertaining on YouTube such as Good Mythical Morning will get you laughing, in a good mood, and ready to start the rest of your day. Everything you do in the morning doesn’t have to be devoid of electronics and connection. Other good things to watch are inspirational short films, motivational videos, or really anything that can get you in the mood you want to be in for the rest of the day.

Mornings are there to set you up for the rest of the day. If you start them off well, it is that much more likely to stay that way until nightfall and through that sleepy afternoon-time, we all hate.

2. YouTube is inspiring and beautiful and funny; it’s not just a time killer.

YouTube is more than just entertaining; it inspires us. It can give us ideas for what to do or improve on for the rest of the day. It can remind us of human potential. It can show us all the amazing things that are being done in the world and the creativity that is being spread. YouTube is also a great place to learn something new if that is how you want to start your morning.

3. It connects us to others.

One of the biggest human epidemics that ever existed is loneliness. If you start every morning off alone and disconnected, that is how your mind will be wired to think. However, if you see things that connect you to others, watching people just like you and commenting with other people who find joy in the same things, it reminds us how much we are not alone. In fact, one day, if we haven’t already, we can start our own active YouTube channel and have people encouraging us.

4. It gives us reasons to be grateful.

No matter what you are watching, you realize how fortunate you are. You can watch people in many differing life situations and see that you have so much to be thankful for. Whether that is the ability to connect with people, working internet, or even just a good sense of humor.

5. It gives the opportunity to develop better empathy.

With the ability to see people all around the world in different situations we are allowed to see both how other people live and think as well as see the ways we are all the same. Youtube is a grounds for living in each other’s shoes. Often what people post on youtube, especially the more active ones, show what they are most passionate about and what their lives revolve around. It allows you to see life from the perspective of a different passion and can help kindle whatever passion you have in your heart.

Within YouTube, is an opportunity to live a thousand lives. Will you take it step by step each morning to educate yourself further and to prove that every day can truly be an amazing one? Will you wake up to a fifth alarm rushing to your car, sleeping in and feeling guilty, or watching something that you care about or laughing and allowing yourself to be the joyous, uplifted person that you can be? The choice is yours. It will take time, and a lot of it, but you can shape who you want to be with one website; even one day is better than nothing. Take that first step and be the person you want to be.