9 Things You Should NEVER Do in The Morning
A great morning generally leads to a great day yet, we often undermine our morning routine
before we even get out of bed.
Whether your morning starts at 5 AM or at 8, you likely begin your day with certain
habits, some of which can negatively affect your entire day!
The intent of this video is to inspire you to reflect on your morning routine and determine
what needs to be changed in order for you to be more purposeful about how you begin
your day.
So, let's see what scientists and health experts say about making the most, and the least,
of the first hour after waking up.
Here are 9 things you should never do in the morning!
Number 1 - Hitting The Snooze Button
Most of us hit the snooze button several times before crawling out of bed in the morning,
but doing so is not a good habit.
Sleep experts strongly recommend that you resist the temptation and the reasoning is
relatively straightforward.
If you hit the snooze button, you can start a sleep cycle that you won't be able to finish,
and as a result, you'll wake up feeling even more tired.
Instead, go to bed a bit earlier the night before to ensure you get adequate sleep.
Then, you'll wake up refreshed maybe even before the alarm goes off!
Number 2 - Checking Your Phone
Surveys show that most people take their phone to bed with them at night, making it easy
to reach for it first thing in the morning.
However, if you want to start your day right, you should avoid looking at your phone right
after opening your eyes.
Allowing your mind to progressively wake up to the day is essential, and bombarding it
with all kinds of information is actually de-energizing.
Checking your social media accounts, text messages, or emails can put you in panic mode
before the day has even started.
Your inbox and social networking accounts can certainly wait a few hours.
Number 3 - Forgetting to Stretch
Have you ever woken up stiff, as if you couldn't bend your knees or walk properly?
It's not just you.
Overnight, our muscles and joints can stiffen up, and when you try to hop out of bed in
the morning, you may feel your muscles twitching and twinging.
Stretching for a few minutes when you get up will help loosen those tight muscles, improve
blood flow, and make you feel more energized.
Stretching will also help improve your posture and can even reduce back pain.
Number 4 - Drinking Coffee First Thing
If you're a coffee drinker, you're not going to like this, but experts really advise against
consuming it first thing in the morning.
That's because between the hours of 8 AM and 9 AM, your body naturally produces higher
levels of the energy-regulating stress hormone, cortisol.
And drinking coffee before that time will just make you jittery and hyper-alert.
It will also disrupt your body's natural cortisol monitoring system, leading to an afternoon
slump.
What your body really needs first thing in the morning is hydration.
Instead of that cup of Joe, start your day with a glass of hot lemon water.
It will hydrate and lubricate your body, stimulate your digestion, and boost your metabolism.
Number 5 - Not Eating a Healthy Breakfast
You've heard it a million times before, but breakfast really is the most important meal
of the day.
After a night of resting and healing, your body needs nourishment to give you the energy
to get through the day.
That being said, most breakfast staples such as cereal, waffles, and muffins, are loaded
with sugar and carbs.
They sure taste delicious, but they will only leave you irritable and hungry for more food
once you have come down from your sugar high.
Choose more wholesome and nutritious foods instead.
Have a balanced breakfast of protein, carbohydrates, and some fruits or vegetables.
Number 6 - Brushing Right After Breakfast
You probably think that brushing your teeth immediately after breakfast is the right thing
to do.
But it can potentially do more harm than good, especially if you've consumed acidic foods
or beverages.
Brushing too soon after eating can actually damage the enamel in its weakened state.
To avoid this, brush your teeth after waking up, but before eating.
After that, you can floss and rinse with water to remove any remaining food particles.
And if you just really can't go without brushing your teeth after breakfast, wait at least
30 minutes.
Number 7 - Leaving Your Bed Unmade
If you believe that leaving your bed unmade all day is acceptable and does not affect
you, you are wrong!
Researchers have shown that developing positive habits such as making your bed in the morning,
is linked to higher productivity throughout the day.
Making your bed is, in fact, a fundamental habit that will set off a chain reaction that
helps other healthy habits take hold.
So take that 2 minutes, and make your bed every morning.
It's a small thing, but you'll be amazed at how good it makes you feel.
Number 8 - Taking a Hot Shower
Even though taking long hot showers is incredibly comforting, sleep experts recommend that you
save 'steaming up the shower' for your nighttime rituals.
You see, heat signals your nervous system that it's time to relax your muscles and slow
your heart rate, making you feel calm and sleepy!
And that's just totally counterproductive.
So opt for slightly cooler showers in the morning.
It will help you wake up faster and have a more alert and revitalized start to your day.
Number 9 - Getting Ready in The Dark
It might feel tempting to just keep the lights dim in the morning.
However, the longer you keep yourself away from light, the longer you'll feel sleepy.
Due to the sensitivity of our bodies' internal clocks to light, getting ready in the dark
can signal your body that it is still nighttime.
And rather than feeling awake, invigorated, and in a good mood, you'll feel groggy and
out of it.
Open those blinds or curtains in the morning and let some light in.
And if you're up before the sun is, make sure to turn on the lights.
Living your best life is the result of good habits, and your morning routine certainly
has a significant impact on your overall well-being.
If your mornings are looking a bit chaotic right now, implementing these changes all
at once isn't very realistic.
So take it one step at a time, and allow your body and mind to adapt to the changes.
Over time, you'll see massive improvements throughout your day-to-day life.
You'll feel more relaxed, less anxious, and more productive.
Now think about your morning habits.
Are they affecting your day in a good or bad way?
Which of these habits do you need to stop?
Let us know!
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