Adrian Volenik
For many people, waking up in the morning is the worst part of the day which is incredibly telling.
But even if you don’t dread this part of the day, there are still many things you should avoid doing just after waking up.
So let’s see what surprising things you should never do just after waking up.
1) Check your phone
We’ve become so addicted to our phones that as soon as we open our eyes, we automatically check our phones for notifications, news, likes, emails, etc.
I’m often guilty of this myself. You see, I grab the phone to see what time it is and then just continue opening the news, email, and Reddit.
Of course, I know I shouldn’t do it, and it doesn’t help me in any way. That’s why I bought a simple clock to see what time it is, and I leave my phone in the living room at night.
I recommend you to also avoid reaching for your phone right after waking up. Give yourself some time to fully wake up and set a positive tone for the day.
But one of the reasons why I would go on my phone as soon as I opened my eyes was also the following.
2) Overthink
For the longest time, as soon as I’d wake up, negative thoughts started creeping up into my mind. I had to force positive thoughts and affirmations for a couple of weeks to finally stop negative and self-doubting thoughts at bay.
At all costs, avoid dwelling on negative thoughts early in the morning. Practice mindfulness and focus on positive aspects to have a good start to the day.
3) Hit the snooze button repeatedly
Snoozing can disrupt your sleep cycle and make you feel groggy. But it isn’t dangerous in and of itself.
However, it could point to other underlying issues, such as sleep deprivation which could be serious in the long run.
The best thing to do is to wake up without an alarm clock. Doing this will ensure you’ve gotten enough sleep. Still, that’s obviously not a possibility for most people.
The second best thing to do is not hitting the snooze button at all. To help yourself with making it a habit, try putting the alarm clock further away. That way, you’ll need to get up to turn it off.
Or get one of those alarm clocks that drive off your nightstand once they go off.
4) Jump out of bed
But then again, you should also avoid rushing out of bed as soon as you wake up.
Getting out of bed suddenly can cause blood to rush to your head, which could make you very dizzy and unsteady. This means you could genuinely fall and hurt yourself.
You should simply take a few moments to stretch and mentally prepare for the day ahead.
5) Check your email
Checking your email right after waking up can be tempting, especially if you’re eager to stay on top of your work or personal commitments.
However, it’s generally advisable to resist the urge and give yourself some personal time before diving into your inbox.
Above all, starting your day by immediately checking your email can disrupt your mental and emotional well-being.
It exposes you to potential stressors, urgent requests, or overwhelming information that can set a negative tone for the rest of the day.
Ultimately, what positive things can come out of opening emails first thing? None!
6) Start scrolling through social media
The same can be said for checking social media, as it, too, can be overwhelming and distract you from starting your day on a good foot.
Instead, engage in activities that bring you joy, such as reading, meditation, exercise, or spending time with loved ones.
Any self-care routine will boost your overall happiness, productivity, and ability to handle work-related challenges more effectively.
7) Watch TV or news
Checking the news or watching TV right after waking up can flood your mind with a barrage of information, making it difficult to focus on your personal priorities or establish a calm and centered mindset.
The news also regularly contains distressing, negative, or anxiety-inducing stories. Exposure to negative or stressful content can heavily impact your mood and make you want to go back and crawl inside your bed.
Save TV or news consumption for later. Put some music on instead, or listen to a radio station that isn’t news-focused.
8) Rush through your routine
Rushing creates a sense of urgency and triggers stress responses in your body. When you’re in a rush, you’re also more prone to making mistakes or overlooking important details. This applies to anything from getting dressed to preparing breakfast or even commuting.
Allow yourself enough time to go through your morning routine without feeling rushed. Taking your time allows you to focus more, decreasing the likelihood of mistakes.
9) Make your bed
Although making your bed can give you a sense of accomplishment, it can also boost the accumulation and formation of house dust mites.
You see, dust mites love warm, damp conditions created in an occupied bed or one that’s made while it didn’t get the chance to dry completely.
On the other hand, they can’t survive in the warm, dry conditions found in an unmade bed. For that reason, make your bed after half an hour or more when it’s nice and dry.
10) Drink coffee immediately
While a cup of coffee can be tempting, it’s better to wait at least 30 minutes after waking up to allow your body’s cortisol levels to regulate naturally.
You also need to replenish your fluids quickly because we typically lose up to 33 oz (1L) of water during the night.
So, grab a full glass of water instead of coffee and chug it down. If that doesn’t sound appealing to you, try using a reusable straw. Since I started using them, I drink much more water as I can do it faster and easier.
11) Drink sugary beverages
But then again, you should also avoid drinking beverages full of sugar, including energy drinks.
Opt for a glass of water or a healthier beverage instead of reaching for sugary drinks, as they can lead to energy crashes later on.
12) Eat breakfast
Eating breakfast is another surprising thing you should never do just after waking up.
Although breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day and an important meal that kick-starts your metabolism, new research suggests skipping it may be better than many of us believe.
As long as you can fit all your nutrients in during other meals, you should be fine and can use the time needed to eat breakfast for other tasks.
Of course, you should also listen to your body. If you feel the best when you eat breakfast, you should continue doing so.
13) Skip exercise
Light exercise or stretching in the morning can increase your energy levels and improve your mood.
Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins, which can help you start the day positively.
However, if you’re injured, didn’t get nearly enough sleep, or are particularly busy that morning, then, sure, go ahead and skip exercise that day.
14) Dive into intense tasks
Instead of tackling the most challenging assignments right after waking up, start with easier or more enjoyable activities to ease into the day.
Jumping straight into intense tasks without allowing your mind to gradually transition from sleep mode can also lead to reduced focus, decreased efficiency, or more errors.
As well as be mentally and emotionally demanding, creating a high level of stress or anxiety, potentially impacting your overall well-being and making it challenging to maintain focus throughout the day.
15) Make important decisions
The same goes for making important decisions. Your mind might still be groggy after waking up, so it’s best to postpone making major decisions until you’re fully awake and alert.
Additionally, your emotions may be more delicate or unstable when you wake up as you transition from the dream state to waking consciousness.
Acting rashly in the morning without fully considering all aspects can lead to impulsive decisions you may regret later.
16) Forget to plan your day
The last surprising thing you should never do after just waking up is not taking a few minutes to outline your goals and priorities for the day.
Planning ahead can help you stay focused and maximize your time.
Plus, it helps you prioritize tasks and allocate time more effectively. It allows you to identify important deadlines, meetings, or appointments and ensure you have enough time to address them.
Final thoughts
So there you have it. Now tell me, how many of these are you doing regularly? Do you think they’re harmful to your body and mind?
