6 Habits To Avoid In The Morning To Have a Productive Day
Do you often notice when the day has slipped by, and you haven’t accomplished a single thing?
Don’t worry, we’ve all had those moments.
This is probably because you’ve spent your time doing things that were not productive. The first few minutes of your morning set the tone for the rest of the day. If you spend your mornings not being productive, you’re more likely to find it difficult to be productive the rest of the day.
So, to have a productive day, try to avoid the following six habits:
- Not waking up with a plan:
You may fall into the group of people who plan their day out. In theory, this seems like a smart idea. You can find yourself wasting a good part of your morning, planning what to do. The time you spend planning your day is the time you could have spent actually doing things. If you also spend your precious morning time planning, do it the night before. Have a to-do list ready for when you wake up, and place it somewhere that will be easy to find.
Having a plan or a list of what you want to accomplish helps you be more productive.
2. Checking your phone as the first thing in the morning:
It is tempting to check your phone as the first thing in the morning. It might even be a part of your morning routine. However, your phone may be the reason why you’re not as productive as you want to be. The problem with checking your phone is the tempting distraction of social media.
You see those little red notifications on your app and you feel compelled to answer but try not to, because you can’t get sucked in the labyrinth of viral videos, TikTok dances and random not-so-useful stuff. Maybe you also check your phone as one of the first things in the morning, not because you have messages that need your immediate attention, but because you’ve become used to checking your phone out of habit.
Using your phone as the first thing can rob your focus. It has been proven that smart phones can break your concentration and even cause addiction. It sounds absurd but it’s true. The Journal of Experimental Psychology published a study in 2015 that found that cell phone notifications significantly disrupted the concentration and performance of participants when they are performing an attention demanding task.
The solution is, instead of scrolling through your phone, read a book or listen to a podcast. The emails and messages are not going anywhere.
3. Immediately tackling your chores:
Your to-do list may be packed with chores, but don’t tackle them as soon as you wake up. This piece of advice may seem counterintuitive, but take the first moments of the day to invest in yourself. Try to meditate, workout, or clear up your workspace. Develop a morning routine that mentally prepares you for the day ahead. Not only it gets you ready for your day, it also helps you cultivate discipline, which helps you remain productive for the rest of the day.
4. Snoozing:
Yes! The old snooze button.
It is the master trickster that makes you believe you have more time than you actually do. Sleeping on it’s own is not harmful. There are times when your body will ask for more sleep but try not to make it a habit.
If you go back to sleep, you might have trouble waking up for what you have to do later on. Studies have shown that sleeping in can have adverse effects, such as making you feel less energized and affecting the quality of your sleep.
However, don’t bolt right out of bed either. Allow yourself time to wake up. Stretch or wiggle your toes, do whatever you need to do, to mentally and physically prepare yourself to wake up. One way to avoid sleeping in is by placing your alarm away from you, like in your living room or the kitchen. Once you’re up and moving, it will be hard to go back to sleep.
5. Making too many decisions:
Are you someone who spends an extraordinary amount of time and energy wasting over trivial decisions ?
Spending too much time on what to wear or what to eat for breakfast isn’t very efficient. It robs your brain of necessary mental energy that can be used later on. Give your mind some space to breathe. Meditate to declutter your thoughts and try to simplify those choices.
6. Not eating a good breakfast:
We all have different approaches to breakfast. Some people prefer it while other’s may skip it due to dietary reasons. Regardless of when you decide to eat, make sure it’s healthy. While sugary and fatty breakfast foods are usually quick and easy, it is good to steer away from them. Foods that are high in sugar levels can cause complications in the long run.
Opt to eat proteins instead, which can improve muscle health and regulate glucose levels. There are many healthy breakfast recipes online. If you have some dietary reasons for not having a breakfast, please consult your nutritionist for guidance.
Mornings are important because they determine how the rest of your day will go. What you decide to do in the morning should leave you energized to take on the rest of the day. At first, having a routine will help you improve your bad habits. But don’t be afraid to mix up your routine a little later on, just stay motivated, as long as you add benefits for your well-being.
That’s it guys. If you enjoyed till now, don’t forget to give a clap!✌
