For some, I get that your phone is your lifeline; I get that. From messages to memes, it’s where everything happens. But guess what, that’s exactly why grabbing it first thing in the morning might be messing up your day before it even starts.
Ever notice how scrolling right after waking up leaves you feeling scattered, stressed, or just… off? Your answer is probably a big fat NO! Because you’re not ready to admit or see what it is doing to you. Nonetheless, diving straight into notifications as the first thing you do when you wake up puts your brain in defence mode, killing focus and setting a reactive tone for the hours ahead.
Breaking this habit isn’t some strict digital detox trend; it’s as simple as keeping your phone out of arm’s reach overnight. No rules, no pressure, just a smarter way to own your mornings instead of letting your phone own you and break free of digital stimulation.
Want to start your day instead of losing it to a screen? Here’s What to do before checking your phone
9 Ideas Of Things To Do Before checking Your Phone In The Morning
1. Say A Word Of Gratitude
A great life-changing tip from Khloe Kardashian
“If you set a time, five minutes or so, lie in bed, meditate, or just say a prayer of appreciation. It changes how you start and hopefully continue your day.” I agree!
So what are you waiting for? Set whatever time before checking your phone or beginning your day; say a prayer of gratitude and begin your day on a positive note.
2. Read Up a Favourite Book Or Daily Paper.
Open up and read a page or two of any book that sets your mood for the day, or a daily paper. Brew up a cup of tea or coffee to sip while reading; this is quite preferable to scrolling through your phone. One of the greatest benefits of mindful mornings like this is enhanced intellectual clarity and the ability to see the world through a more thoughtful lens.
3. Yoga/Meditation
Before checking your phone in the morning, relax your mind and soul by meditating and doing some yoga or stretches (if you’re into that sort of thing) before starting the day; this prepares your mind for the day. Meditation improves mental health by relieving stress and anxiety and enhancing emotional regulation.
4. Journal
Journaling is one of the life-changing tips to help you achieve a lot. Journal your way to a great day by setting intentions for the day, writing out your thoughts, gratitude, and schedule, and setting up your day for success. Journaling benefits include improved mental health, increased self-confidence, emotional clarity, and greater self-awareness.
5. A Ten-Minute Workout Is Enough
Start a productive day by taking 5-10 minutes to exercise your muscles and get your blood flowing. Go for a run or a brief walk; even lightly stretching immediately after you get out of bed is helpful.
6. Make Your Bed
Before looking at your phone in the morning, making your bed in the morning can give you a sense of seriousness and readiness for the day. Incorporating this into your morning routine can boost productivity and set a positive tone for the day ahead.
7. Make a to-do list.
A to-do list is a schedule of things to be done. A to-do list guides you on what you need to do, so before checking your phone, why not make your to-do list and have a productive day!
8. Water! Water!! Water!
Instead of placing your phone close to you, keep a bottle of water close and hydrate first thing when you wake up. Your internal organs will thank you. It helps your body detox. And keeping your screen away? That’s full detoxification in action!
9. Affirm!
Why would you not affirm great things into your day?
Positive affirmations just position my mind for a great day. Affirmations are a life-changing habit to start practising, and it’s ideal to even do this before checking your phone in the morning.
Bottom Line
We’ve grown so accustomed to our phones that we don’t realize how much damage they have caused us and continue to do so.
Imagine waking up to awful news before you’ve had a chance to get out of bed, stretch, breathe, or drink tea. That’s what happens when we reach for our screens first thing. But what if we put our phones away for those initial few calm minutes? Give ourselves time to wake up properly—mind, body, and soul– before tackling whatever the day has in store for us. Remember, it’s not about avoiding the world. It’s not about approaching it on your terms.
