When waking up in the morning, it can feel so easy to rollover, check your phone, and catchup on what you missed throughout the night. We can easily get caught in our unhealthy cycles before even starting our day. Pay attention to it next time you wake up– many of you will find that you’re automatically rolling over and checking your phone.
It’s All in the Science
When we do this, we’re robbing our body and mind of the things it needs to be healthy. According to Healthline and Forbes, “in the morning your brain switches from delta waves, which occur in a deep sleep state, to theta waves, which occur during a sort of daydreamy state. The brain then moves to produce alpha waves when you are awake but are relaxed and not processing much information.”
When you check your phone immediately, you are skipping the middle stage, the theta wave state, and jumping right to the alpha waves.
A report from Scientific American says that "the ideation that can take place during the theta state is often free flow and occurs without censorship or guilt." This means that this transition period between being asleep and fully alert is the perfect time to actualize. It’s the perfect time to activate your brain, think through your wants and desires without the racing thoughts thought can often plague somebody in stressed out, mid-day mode.
Framing Your Day
On a more basic level, think about what grabbing your phone immediately does. It may seem like a welcome distraction, but that’s just habit reinforcing your actions. The moment you read a headline, receive a text, or glance at an instagram post, the peace of the moment that is arising from sleep is instantly shattered. All of the sudden your mind is thrust into the internet, into cyberspace, and into all of the trials and tribulations of things that do not necessarily need to be at the forefront of your consideration in that moment. Think about that– for the most part, none of us need to be concerned with the endless anxieties of the outside world at first light.
Instead, focus on yourself. Meditate. Perhaps write down some affirmations. Stretch. Regardless of what you do, try and be with yourself. Think about your thoughts. Which ones make sense? Which ones do you want to frame your day, and which ones could you do without? If you distract yourself with your phone, you’ll never be able to sit with yourself and practice this kind of early morning, day-changing self awareness. Don’t get caught in the loop.