As if getting out of bed in the morning wasn’t hard enough, we always seem to be bombarded with all sorts of distractions whenever we first wake up. And while some of our morning routines are filled with healthy rituals to help jumpstart our days (10-minute meditation, anyone?), many of us also practice AM habits that aren’t so beneficial.
From hitting the snooze button to scrolling through your Instagram feed, here are eight things you should avoid doing after you wake up in the morning.
1. Checking social media
Along with being bad for your mental health, mindlessly scrolling through your social media feeds right after you wake up is a surefire way to lose track of time (and your focus) in the morning.
2. Forgetting about breakfast
Whether you prefer egg whites, cereal, or skipping it all together, your morning meal plan should be whatever you (and your health provider) can feel good about. But you should be intentional about it. Adhering to a strategic breakfast plan in the morning will help you better anticipate your schedule for the rest of the day and ensure you don’t get derailed on your way to work.
3. Anything you could have done the night before
Whether it’s picking out an outfit or packing a lunch, anything you can handle ahead of time will help your mornings go more smoothly. Set yourself up for success by planning your day the night before and free up some extra time in the morning.
4. Hitting snooze
We already knew that hitting the snooze button on your alarm will leave you feeling groggy the rest of the day, but it turns out that fragmented sleep is bad for your health too. So instead of slapping the snooze button to score a few measly extra minutes of sleep in the morning, try going to bed a half hour earlier every night.
5. Waking up at inconsistent times
Not only does creating—and sticking to—a set sleep schedule help ensure you get a solid seven to nine hours of sleep every night, it makes waking up in the morning (sans the snooze button) a whole lot easier.
6. Checking your email
Getting out of bed can be tough as is, so why put yourself through the added stress of checking your emails before you even get to work? Experts say that by checking your emails first thing in the AM, you might be setting a stressful tone for the rest of the day, so try your best to avoid checking your email before you actually step foot in the office (or at least until you get to the train).
7. Drinking coffee right away
Like it or not, research shows that drinking a cup of joe first thing in the morning might be doing you any favors. Along with increasing your tolerance to caffeine, research shows that consuming coffee before 10 a.m. can mess with yourL cortisol levels—leaving you feeling groggier and more stressed than you would have felt if you’d waited.
8. Making your bed immediately
Untidy people rejoice: Making your bed, at least right after you wake up, might not be the best course of action. Per BBC News, a group of scientists discovered that leaving your bed unmade to air for a while will help kill off dust mites that thrive in moist environments.