Also 7-8 (hoping we balance each other out).

When I was unemployed and then freelancing, one week to the day after my 40th birthday, I woke up at dawn.

All my life I had been a night owl and would sleep 'til noon, 1, 2, given the chance.

The rest of the summer, I was up with the sun, ready to RIDE MY BIKE.

I think the main factor that caused the change (and it doesn't make me a morning person - I still think better later) was that I was finally getting enough sleep - and also enough exercise (otherwise I prob'ly would just sleep more... slide into stagnation if not depression...)

I've really worked towards maintaining that. I found out I function a LOT better rested; it works like a really good vitamin or the right medication (though I gotta have a little caffeine too ).