9 Morning Habits You Should Avoid

• Some morning habits you should avoid include hitting the snooze button, not drinking water, not eating breakfast, and drinking coffee before water.
• These habits can make it hard to wake up and start your day on the right foot.

The morning is a crucial time of day. It sets the tone for the rest of your day and can impact your productivity, mood, and energy levels. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re starting your day off on the right foot by avoiding these common morning habits.

1. Hitting the snooze button

We’ve all been there – you’re lying in bed, comfortable and warm, when suddenly your alarm goes off, and you’re jolted back into reality. The natural inclination is to hit the snooze button and catch a few more minutes of shut-eye.

But studies have shown that hitting the snooze button can actually make you feel more tired throughout the day. When you sleep, your body enters into different stages of sleep cycles. If you wake up in the middle of a sleep cycle, it can be jarring and leave you feeling groggy.

So next time your alarm goes off, resist the urge to hit snooze and just get out of bed. 

2. Brushing teeth after eating

We all know that we’re supposed to brush our teeth twice a day. However, many of us make the mistake of brushing our teeth immediately after eating. This can damage your tooth enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. Instead, wait 60 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth, according to Mouth Healthy by the American Dental Association.

Nevertheless, it is safe to brush your teeth before eating breakfast so you can start the day with a clean mouth.

3. Drinking coffee before water.

Coffee is a diuretic and will make you need to use the bathroom more often. Drinking water first thing in the morning will help rehydrate your body after a long night of sleep.

4. Skipping breakfast

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day for a reason. Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism and gives you energy to power through your morning. Skipping breakfast can make you feel sluggish and can cause you to reach for unhealthy snacks later in the day.

If you’re not a morning person and don’t have time to cook a big breakfast, try some quick and healthy options like oatmeal, yogurt, or fruit. 

5. Eating unhealthy breakfast foods

Just because you’re eating breakfast doesn’t mean that you should automatically reach for sugary cereal or pastries. These types of food will give you a sugar high followed by an inevitable crash later on. Instead, try to incorporate protein and healthy fats into your breakfast to help sustain your energy levels. Some good options include eggs, avocado toast, or peanut butter on whole wheat bread. 

6. Checking your phone as soon as you wake up

In today’s world, it can be tempting to immediately check your email or social media notifications as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. However, starting your day by looking at a screen can actually make you feel more stressed and hamper your productivity for the rest of the day.

If possible, try to avoid looking at screens for at least 30 minutes after waking up in order to give yourself some time to wake up peacefully without distractions. 

7. Procrastinating

It’s easy to fall into the trap of leaving tasks until later in the day when you “feel more awake” or “have more energy.” Regardless, if you have something that needs to be done, it’s better to just get it out of the way, so you don’t have to worry about it later on. Not only will getting things done early free up time later in the day. But it will also help reduce stress levels and leave you feeling accomplished. 

8. Leaving your bed unmade

It might not seem like such a big deal, but leaving your bed unmade can make you feel more stressed throughout the day. That’s because an unmade bed makes your bedroom look messy and cluttered, which can subconsciously cue your brain to feel like your life is out of control. To avoid this, take a few minutes each morning to make your bed as soon as you get out of it.

9. Complaining

Starting your day off on a negative note by complaining about something will only make you feel worse throughout the day. If you want to feel happier and more positive, start practicing gratitude by taking a few moments each morning to think about things you’re thankful for. This could be anything from your health to a roof over your head to having a job.

The bottom line

The morning is a crucial time of day that can impact the rest of your day significantly. Make sure you’re starting off on the right foot by avoiding these common mistakes people make in the morning. From hitting the snooze button to skipping breakfast, these habits can lead to less productivity, more stress, and less happiness throughout the day.

So instead, focus on doing things that will set you up for success, such as drinking water first thing in the morning and taking time to practice gratitude.

Also Read: How To Get Up Early Even If You’re Not A Morning Person