Research shows cultivating healthy morning habits can help improve both your physical and mental well-being. This makes avoiding unhealthy habits equally important to help set the tone of your day and make you more energetic. In this article, we will discuss some of the important things that you should avoid doing right after you wake up. 

1. Drinking coffee

Drinking a cup of coffee on an empty stomach increases your tolerance to caffeine which can trigger the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. Having coffee first thing in the morning can make you feel groggier, stressed and frustrated for the rest of the day.

2. Using electronic devices

As technology has become extremely important for us, it is equally important to regulate it. Make sure that you do not jump to your phone or put on the television to update yourself with the gossip of the day immediately after waking up. This is because you might expose yourself to the harmful rays that are emitted from the screen of these devices. The noisy news and shows can affect your cortisol levels all the more, which may not lead to a healthy start to your day. It is best to experience some calm and quiet time in the morning so that you can prepare yourself better for the rest of the day.

3. Skipping breakfast

According to research, breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Hence, it is very important to ensure that it contains all major nutrient categories such as carbs, vitamins and proteins. A filling breakfast would provide you with energy, keep you full for a longer time and boost your mood for the entire day.

4. Not brushing your teeth

Brushing your teeth right after waking up is key to maintaining good dental health. Cleaning your teeth and tongue eliminates the scope of bacterial growth by removing the plaque and tiny food particles that often get stuck between your teeth after meals. Not brushing your teeth can lead to gum diseases and cavities. It also leads to the development of a foul stench in your mouth, ruining your start to the day.

5. Twisting your body

Most people do not realise how dangerous twisting your body can be to your spinal health. During your sleep spinal discs tend to absorb fluids as a part of a rehydration process which leads to disk expansion. This is why people often wake up with stiff vertebrae, however, immediate extreme movements can potentially cause harm and lead to physical damage. Hence, it is important to make small movements and move gently right after you wake up to avoid these problems.

One should focus more on their day-to-day morning chores and try to adopt healthier habits including meditation, and exercising after waking up. While it may feel a little weird to disrupt your patterns in the beginning, it will lead you to have healthier and happier mornings. If you have more questions,

Consult An Apollo Expert

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.