Mornings set the tone for the rest of the day. However, certain habits can significantly derail your productivity and well-being. Dr. Andrew Huberman, a renowned neuroscientist, emphasizes the importance of intentional morning routines to optimize focus and performance. Here are the worst possible things you can do in the morning that set your day up for failure, according to Dr. Huberman.
1. Staying in Bed
One of the worst habits is waking up and staying in bed. While there may be good reasons to remain in bed briefly after waking, lingering there with the curtains drawn and scrolling passively through social media can be detrimental. Neurobiological data shows that being upright stimulates the locus coeruleus area of the brain, enhancing alertness. Conversely, reclining makes you less alert. This "C-shaped human" posture is increasingly common but can hinder your readiness to face the day.
2. Passive Social Media Scrolling
Lying in bed and passively scrolling through social media is another habit that can negatively impact your morning. It not only affects your mental alertness but also sets a passive tone for the day. Starting the day with a flurry of unimportant information can scatter your attention and reduce your ability to focus on meaningful tasks later on.
3. Insufficient Light Exposure
Another common mistake is not getting enough light or trying to get sunlight through a window. Exposure to natural light in the morning is crucial for regulating your circadian rhythm and boosting alertness. Dr. Huberman emphasizes the importance of getting outside and receiving direct sunlight within an hour of waking up to optimize your body's natural clock and improve your energy levels throughout the day.
4. Drinking Coffee Too Early
While many people rely on coffee to jumpstart their morning, drinking it too early can be counterproductive. Dr. Huberman suggests delaying coffee consumption until at least 90 minutes after waking up. This allows your body to wake up naturally and helps avoid the mid-morning energy crash that can follow an early caffeine jolt.
5. Randomized Morning Activities
Perhaps the most significant mistake is the randomization of morning activities. Many people make a cup of coffee while texting, intersperse a little bit of work with stressful diversions, and lack deliberate actions. This scatterbrained approach fosters an attention deficit-like disorder, where focus is continually diverted. It's essential to start the morning with clear intentions and structured activities to build a productive momentum for the rest of the day.