There’s a distinct contrast between starting the day with purpose and joy and starting it with habits that inevitably lead to a circle of dissatisfaction.
Psychology points out that there are certain morning routines that can set us up for continual unhappiness.
I’m talking about people constantly caught in a cycle of disappointment and dissatisfaction, engaging in the same morning rituals over and over, not recognizing that these habits are severely limiting their joy.
The idea is to identify these habits to help you understand what could be standing in the way of your happiness.
Welcome to my article, “7 morning habits of people who will never be truly happy, according to psychology” – a guide to pinpoint harmful routines and kick start your day on a favorable note. Let’s dive in.
1) Hitting the snooze button, again and again
We’ve all done it. That tempting lure of “just five more minutes” in the warm cocoon of our beds seems irresistible in the early morning.
However, research maintains that hitting the snooze button can start our day off on the wrong foot.
According to sleep scientists, those “extra” minutes of sleep we’re sneakily stealing aren’t often high-quality sleep. The result? We wake up groggy and disoriented, setting a negative tone for the rest of the day.
It’s called “sleep inertia,” and it’s a state of impaired cognitive and sensory performance that usually follows the immediate wake-up period. It can last anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, which means it could very well affect a substantial part of your morning.
If you’re finding it difficult to resist the lure of the snooze button, it might be time to reassess how much sleep you’re getting and whether you could benefit from hitting the hay a bit earlier each night.
Eliminating this harmful habit can be the first step towards opening the door to true happiness.
2) Skipping breakfast
I’ll fully admit, I used to be a breakfast skipper.
My mornings were so rushed. Between getting the kids ready for school, responding to urgent emails, and squeezing in a quick workout, eating breakfast often felt like the least of my priorities.
But science backed up what my dietitian friends had been telling me for years. Skipping breakfast wasn’t doing my mental health any favors.
You see, when we wake up, our body needs fuel. Skipping breakfast robs us of that necessary energy, weakening our cognitive function and mood regulation.
In short, skipping breakfast can leave us feeling irritable, sluggish, and unsatisfied – not exactly the recipe for a joy-filled day, is it?
Ever since I started making breakfast a non-negotiable part of my morning routine, I’ve found my mood to be significantly more positive and my productivity levels, higher. So, if you’re guilty of missing your first meal of the day, perhaps it’s time to rethink your routine.
3) Exposing yourself to screens immediately
In our hyper-connected societies, it’s become a common ritual to reach for our phones first thing in the morning. Emails to check, social media feeds to scroll through, news to digest – it’s a lot to take in.
However, early exposure to screens, particularly the blue light they emit, can play havoc with our wellbeing. Not only are you ramping up your brain activity when it’s still trying to ease into the day, but you’re also setting up a cortisol-driven stress-response system that can leave you feeling tense, anxious, and overwhelmed.
Studies even suggest that prolonged exposure to blue light can disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycles, known as circadian rhythms, leading to poor sleep quality and mood disruptions.
So, if your day starts with a screen-checking routine, try to break this habit for a healthier and happier start to your day.
4) Ignoring physical activity
You may not be an early bird or a yoga enthusiast, but incorporating any form of physical activity into your morning routine can make a lot of difference to your overall mood and well-being.
According to psychology, endorphins, known as ‘happiness hormones,’ are released during physical activities. So, when you start the day with exercising, you basically kickstart your day with a happiness boost.
In contrast, ignoring physical activity in the morning means missing this early opportunity to elevate your mood. Consistently skipping your morning exercise can thus lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Whether it’s a quick run, a yoga session, or even a few stretches before your shower, give this habit a try, and you may notice a significant change in your mood throughout the day.
5) Neglecting hydration
Once, during a particularly hectic phase of life, I found myself feeling constantly sluggish, irritable, and more pessimistic than usual.
I was sleeping enough, eating relatively healthy, doing my morning jogs, but something just didn’t feel right. On a visit to my physician, I discovered the answer: I was chronically dehydrated.
I’d been so caught up in the daily grind that I’d routinely ignore the simple act of drinking water – especially first thing in the morning.
When we sleep, our bodies use water to carry out various functions, leading to natural dehydration. Drinking water as soon as we wake up helps replenish this loss and kick starts our metabolism. Besides, starting the day with a dehydrated body can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and even feelings of anxiety.
The real kicker? The fix was so simple. Ever since I started incorporating a glass of water into my morning routine, I’ve felt a difference in energy levels and positivity. Hydrate, folks!
6) Starting the day without a plan
Starting your day without clear goals or a plan is like setting sail without a compass – you’re adrift and can end up feeling lost or overwhelmed.
The act of simply taking a few minutes every morning to plan out your day, listing your tasks and priorities, can set a positive tone for what lies ahead.
When you know what you want to achieve, you’re more likely to stay focused and motivated. In contrast, a lack of planning can lead to stress, frustration, and a lingering sense of dissatisfaction – no matter how much you accomplish during the day.
Adopting the habit of daily planning could be your key to a happier and more fulfilling day.
7) Forgoing gratitude practices
The most impactful realization for me, and possibly for you too, is the power of a simple gratitude practice first thing in the morning.
Gratitude kicks off our day on a positive note, focusing our mind on the good in our lives rather than dwelling on stressors or challenges. It creates a mental framework of positivity that can influence our day-to-day experiences and interactions.
In contrast, starting the day without acknowledging the things that bring us joy can rob us of this positivity, leading to a continual state of seeking satisfaction and happiness in all the wrong places.
Including just a few minutes of gratitude in your daily routine might just be the game-changer you need.
Final thoughts: The power lies within
The essence of happiness, as enigmatic as it may seem, resides less in external circumstances, and more in our internal mindset and routines.
Our morning habits invariably set the tone for the rest of our day – and in a broader context – our lives. Making conscious changes to these patterns can alter the way we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Consider the countless personalities who’ve transformed their lives by redesigning their mornings, from Oprah Winfrey starting her day with meditation, to Tim Cook undertaking his daily workout at 4 am.
Neither change is easy nor immediate, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Ponder on the habits explained in this article. Could interrogation of your morning routine be that missing link in your pursuit of sustained happiness?
Remember, the power to cultivate happiness lies within you. It’s not in an elusive future scenario or tied to an arbitrary achievement. It’s nestled in your daily habits, and most importantly, in how you choose to kickstart your day.
It’s your dawn. How will you greet the day? Your happiness could very well depend on it.