Warning Issued: Daily Routine Habit in Mornings Potentially Impairs Brain Function and Mood, Expert Stresses
In a recent video posted on Instagram, neuroscientist and professor at New York University, Dr. Wendy Suzuki, has highlighted the negative impacts of starting the day by checking phone notifications and doomscrolling. According to Dr. Suzuki, this habit can disrupt the brain's natural potential for focus, creativity, and motivation.
When we wake up, our brains are in 'peak neuroplastic mode', a state that enhances their capacity to adapt and transform based on external stimuli. Checking phone notifications immediately disrupts this state, potentially sabotaging potential mental clarity and new ideas.
The sudden influx of information from notifications and social media can hijack focus and creativity for the day. Dr. Suzuki notes that this habit can redirect your attention externally, often to anxiety-inducing or dopamine-depleting content, which affects your ability to focus and be creative throughout the day.
Dopamine and cortisol levels are naturally elevated in the morning, providing a boost in motivation and focus. However, checking your phone first thing can misdirect these heightened levels, leading to increased anxiety and stress rather than utilizing them for productivity and creativity. Starting your day by checking your phone puts your nervous system into high alert, which can be detrimental as it elevates stress levels before you've even begun your day.
Dr. Suzuki suggests delaying screen time by 20 minutes after waking up, and instead engaging in activities like stretching, writing down goals, or simply sitting with coffee and thoughts. Delaying screen time by 20 minutes can be an experiment to replace doomscrolling with good habits that promote mental clarity and well-being.
It's worth noting that doomscrolling before sleep is also not beneficial for health. Dr. Suzuki advises against doomscrolling upon waking up as well, as it increases the risk of insomnia by 59% and cuts sleep time by 24 minutes. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain a healthy balance by minimising screen time, especially during the early hours of the day and before sleep.
Dr. Suzuki's video is not recommended to watch immediately after waking up, as it may inadvertently encourage phone use. Instead, her message encourages us to prioritise our mental well-being and harness the power of our peak neuroplastic mode for a more productive and creative day.
Technology's influence extends beyond just the content we consume, as starting the day with phone notifications can negatively impact our mental health and well-ness. The influx of news, science, and health-and-wellness related updates might seem harmless, but these notifications can disrupt sleep patterns and cause increased stress. Delaying technology use for 20 minutes after waking up, engaging in activities like stretching or writing down goals, can help promote mental clarity and well-being, allowing us to harness the power of our peak neuroplastic mode for a more productive and creative day.
