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- 10 Things You Should Never Do First Thing in the Morning (cheapism.com)
Mornings can be a mixed bag – maybe you’re serenely sipping tea or perhaps you’re locked in an epic battle with a toddler over breakfast. Whatever your dawn looks like, there’s a secret science to kickstarting your day on the right foot.
We’ve dug into what the experts say you should absolutely avoid doing as soon as your eyes flutter open. Prepare to rethink your routine!
Hit the Snooze Button
Ah, the siren song of the snooze button – promising just “five more minutes” of sweet slumber.
But sleep experts warn this seemingly innocent habit is actually sabotaging your morning. According to Azizi Seixas, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, hitting snooze jolts you out of deep sleep and tricks your brain into starting a new, lighter sleep cycle.
The result? Fragmented sleep that leaves you battling “sleep inertia” – that frustrating, groggy feeling that can make you irritable all day long.
Best to just bite the bullet and get up!
Making Your Bed
Hold the phone!
For years, we’ve been told a tidy bed is the mark of a productive person. But health experts are flipping the script, suggesting that leaving your bed unmade might actually be better for you.
Why? Those microscopic roommates – dust mites – that love your warm, moist sheets aren’t so keen on an open-air environment.
An unmade bed allows them to dehydrate and, well, expire. So, go ahead and embrace a little morning mess for a healthier sleep space!
Checking Your Phone
Guilty as charged?
Most of us are. Grabbing our phones first thing in the morning to scroll through emails, texts, or social media has become a reflex.
But this modern habit is doing your brain no favors. Empowerment psychologist Jay Rai explains that our brains naturally transition through different wave states as we wake up – from deep sleep to a relaxed, daydreamy state before reaching full alertness.
Diving straight into your phone forces your brain to skip those crucial calming stages. The result?
You’re setting yourself up for a morning of stress and distraction before you even get out of bed.
Drink Coffee Immediately
For many, coffee is the lifeblood of morning.
But as tempting as it is to mainline that first cup right after waking, experts suggest holding off. When you first open your eyes, your body’s cortisol levels (that’s your stress hormone) are naturally at their peak.
Chugging coffee right away can further spike these levels, potentially making you feel more stressed and even reducing the caffeine’s effectiveness. Try to give your body about an hour to naturally stabilize before you savor that first magical sip.
Staying in the Dark
Ever feel extra grumpy when you wake up to a dark room?
There’s a reason! Your body’s internal clock is incredibly sensitive to light.
Staying in the dark sends a signal that it’s still nighttime, which can throw off your rhythm and leave you feeling sluggish and irritable. The solution?
Open those curtains wide, step outside for a moment, or flip on a bright light if the sun’s not up yet. Let the light literally kickstart your day.
Skipping Breakfast
It’s not just an old saying – breakfast truly is the most important meal.
Even if you’re rushing out the door, a quick bite like a banana or a piece of toast can make a huge difference. Think of your body like a car; you wouldn’t drive it on empty!
Fueling up provides the essential nutrients to kickstart your energy. Plus, research indicates that regularly skipping breakfast can contribute to serious health concerns, including insulin resistance, a known precursor to Type 2 diabetes.
Not Drinking Water
After a long night’s rest, your body is likely parched.
Skipping water in the morning can leave you feeling surprisingly sluggish and slow. A simple glass of water on an empty stomach can do wonders – it rehydrates your system, kickstarts your metabolism, and offers a host of other health benefits.
Make it your first sip of the day to truly wake up and feel refreshed.
Staying in Bed Too Long
We get it – that warm bed, that comfy pillow, the sheer dread of “adulting” that awaits.
It’s tempting to linger. However, staying in bed for too long after waking can actually make it harder to fully shake off sleepiness and get your day in gear.
The quicker you get up and out, the better you set a productive and energetic tone for the hours ahead.
Skipping Stretching
No matter how good your sleep was, waking up stiff and a bit sluggish is a common complaint.
The simple fix? Morning stretches!
Even a few minutes can work wonders. Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles, boosts flexibility, and can even help reduce the risk of injury throughout the day.
It’s a quick, easy way to literally shake off the last vestiges of sleep and prepare your body for whatever the day throws at it.
Eating a Sugary Breakfast
Remember those sugary cereals from childhood?
As appealing as they might seem, a breakfast loaded with sugar – like many cereals or pastries – is a recipe for disaster. These foods cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar, which inevitably leads to a dreaded energy crash later on.
You’ll end up feeling tired, irritable, and unfocused. Instead, aim for a balanced morning meal packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep your energy levels steady and your mood stable.
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- 10 Things You Should Never Do First Thing in the Morning (cheapism.com)