{"id":2707,"date":"2025-06-25T00:26:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T07:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=2707"},"modified":"2025-06-25T00:26:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T07:26:33","slug":"bbc-radio-2-dj-sara-cox-the-morning-is-when-my-brain-is-at-its-sharpest-and-my-mood-is-at-its-highest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/?p=2707","title":{"rendered":"BBC Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox: The morning is when my brain is at its sharpest and my mood is at its highest"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/06\/25\/08\/23150517-d1f4debd-5c6b-495c-938a-d39ee834cc9f.jpg?width=1200&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=3%3A2\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-10wlkbs-0\" data-component=\"SupportNSCNative\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"base\">\n<aside class=\"sc-hez36s-0 dFpFuY\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-1 dmMyEN\">\n<h3 data-testid=\"support-nsc-title\" class=\"sc-hez36s-2 fXvmgM\">Your support helps us to tell the story<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-8 juUDRT\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-13 cqPbFA\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-0 rAFIl sc-hez36s-16 jZSKtc\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-6 PdmgT\">\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content-container\" class=\"sc-aja53j-5 hJPJVF\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content\" class=\"sc-aja53j-4 lcJUSj\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"support-nsc-collapsed-content-tablet\" class=\"sc-hez36s-7 laZbyn\">\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 cKWiEj\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 cKWiEj\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 cKWiEj\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"sc-1uza6dc-1 huxBsk\">Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"sc-aja53j-1 dLkuvY sc-aja53j-7 eMEmGu\"><span data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-dropdown-tablet\" class=\"sc-aja53j-3 dHXFkr\"><span data-action-type=\"Read more\" class=\"sc-aja53j-2 jrwZqm\">Read more<\/span><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hUgQwJ sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-a5wy94-0 hyKPon\"><use href=\"#ee6613da15642019\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Despite not being on the early morning radio breakfast shift, a lie-in is still an alien concept to beloved BBC Radio 2 Drivetime host and self-proclaimed morning person Sara Cox, who is always up with the larks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am 100% a morning person,\u201d exclaimed the 50-year-old broadcaster and author. \u201cThat is where my energy is. When I\u2019m writing my books, I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But this hasn\u2019t always been the case.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I was little, I never wanted to go to bed. My mum used to call me a night owl but I\u2019m definitely up with the larks now,\u201d reflected the radio presenter. \u201cI think as you get a little older and start to look after yourself more, the mornings become easier because you are sleeping more.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like it\u2019s really important to get up and to embrace the day and do as much as I can, because then I can kind of relax for the rest of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Getting up and moving her body is central part of Cox\u2019s morning routine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I\u2019m going to exercise, I want to exercise first thing as that\u2019s when I\u2019ve got the energy,\u201d said the mum-of-three. \u201cI\u2019ve made my garage into a little gym so I often go in there and do a weight workout and I\u2019ve also recently started doing classes again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe most important thing about exercise is to not get bored, because I feel like that is when you tend to just give up a little bit. I always tell people to try and vary it as much as you can and to find something interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The bubbly broadcaster also shared that her mid-year resolution is to get stronger.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor me, it\u2019s not about being thin or losing weight, it\u2019s about just being strong. I just feel so much better when I feel fitter and stronger. I just love that feeling of walking a little bit taller and having more energy,\u201d said Cox. \u201cYou can achieve that through movements and just by looking after yourself and getting enough sleep, as it helps you throw yourself into the day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Getting outside as the sun rises also provides the DJ with a much-needed serotonin and vitamin D boost to help kickstart her day.<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DKw73C_NUU2\/embed\/captioned\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allowtransparency=\"true\" class=\"sc-1qbn810-1 hzdRFz\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes I will just get up and take the dogs out first thing or go for a ride on my horse,\u201d shared Cox. \u201cI just love being outdoors. My dad\u2019s a farmer, so I was outdoors a lot growing up and I love being up when the sun is coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To embrace the glorious golden sunrises this summer, Cox teamed up with Holland &amp; Barrett to launch the first of a series of sunrise sessions across the UK in a Holland &amp; Barrett store on Oxford Street, London, on June 19.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets for the rest these early morning raves cost \u00a310 per person and will take place in Manchester (June 26), Cardiff (July 3), Birmingham (July 9) and Dublin (July 17). These sessions aim to help energise the nation through music and movement, plus encourage reset through sleep and nutrition.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking ahead of the London launch date, Cox said: \u201cI\u2019m actually going to get to DJ at sunrise and I\u2019ve never done that before. Back in the day, I may have still been awake for the sunrise, having been out partying, but this time I\u2019m going to bring the sun up with some beautiful, euphoric music.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis morning rave is going to be lovely because it\u2019s going to kickstart the day in the best possible way, with some great music. We\u2019ll be dancing, we\u2019ll be singing along together, the sun\u2019s going to come up and it\u2019s going to be beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A recent survey conducted by Opinium for Holland and Barrett in June 2025 revealed that 81% of 2,000 participants described themselves as feeling \u201ctired,\u201d \u201cknackered,\u201d or \u201cworn out\u201d everyday. Additionally, 74% reported that they don\u2019t wake up feeling fully rested and 72% admitted they often lack the energy to get through the day, frequently turning to various methods to boost their energy levels.<\/p>\n<p>Being a radio presenter requires bounds of energy and charisma, and Cox shared some of her top tips and tricks that help her keep her energy levels sky high.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve really cut down on caffeine, even in my tea, and I\u2019ve started to really just figure out what works best for my body,\u201d revealed the DJ. \u201cFor me, when it comes to nutrition, I always try and cook fresh and try not to eat ultra-processed food. I\u2019m also quite low sugar as well because I\u2019m just a bit cautious with inflammation, because I\u2019ve suffered with autoimmune issues in the past.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI also love my magnesium tablets and turmeric as well, which helps with inflammation. Ashwagandha also helps me relax at night, so that when I do get a good night\u2019s sleep, I can be up and out super early.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, Cox revealed that her love and passion for her BBC Radio 2 gig is the main secret behind her infectious energy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I get into work to do the radio, I always turn up in a pretty good mood because I love it so much, it\u2019s my dream job,\u201d shared Cox. \u201cChatting with the listeners and looking at the texts that they send in and playing the music helps give me energy. I also like jumping around the studio, because I stand up while I broadcast, just to release my energy. I always leave the studio in an even better mood.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Holland &amp; Barrett has launched a free online energy service and has trained a 4,000-strong energy squad to support the nation\u2019s energy levels. For free advice on how to improve and sustain energy levels, book here.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Despite not being on the early morning radio breakfast shift, a lie-in is still an alien concept to beloved BBC Radio 2 Drivetime host and self-proclaimed morning person Sara Cox, who is always up with the larks. \u201cI am 100% a morning person,\u201d exclaimed the 50-year-old broadcaster and author. \u201cThat is where my energy is. When I\u2019m writing my books, I\u2019m 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.\u201d But this hasn\u2019t always been the case. \u201cWhen I was little, I never wanted to go to bed. My mum used to call me a night owl but I\u2019m definitely up with the larks now,\u201d reflected the radio presenter. \u201cI think as you get a little older and start to look after yourself more, the mornings become easier because you are sleeping more. \u201cI 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 m&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2707"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}