Do this 10-minute ritual every morning to sharpen your focus

Wellness specialist says that exposing the mind during morning to stress, noise or digital overload can impair focus for the rest of the day (Picture Credit: Pexels)

To get better focus, there’s no need to follow a complex routine — only some thoughtful tweaks. The first few minutes after waking are crucial in setting the tone for your mental clarity and these small, intentional habits can help slow down brain waves from their state of sleep or theta waves, which could lead to elevated stress levels if not trained for longer periods of time.

Many of us have been conditioned by modern life to jump out of bed, splash water on our faces, grab for our phones and start the mad swirl of pushing and pulling things in response to emails and texts before we’ve even fully opened our eyes or stood up. But if you spend your morning side-eyeing the news and struggle to resist checking your email, then the waterfall of stress, distraction, and mental fatigue that follows can just feel like business as usual.

The brain can have difficulty regulating focus and energy levels when it is overstimulated early in the morning, so many people feel scattered and unproductive even before they eat breakfast. What most people don’t understand is that these innocent-seeming practices — scrolling through social media, responding to emails or forgoing hydration, say — can interfere with cognitive rhythms.

The morning sets the tone for the whole day and all the bad habits in mood, concentration, decision making etc. occur because of poor mornings. Once we recognize what actions deplete our mental energy, then simple changes can provide dramatic increases in clarity and focus. The point is not to gut your whole routine but to figure out where triggers sabotage mental performance before the day even starts.

“A lot of people don’t realize just how sensitive the brain is in that first 30 minutes after waking. This window of transition is the time when mental habits are formed most easily. Exposing the mind during this time to stress, noise or digital overload can impair focus for the rest of the day,” says Delhi-based cognitive wellness specialist Dr Mira Anand.

Also read: Green, ripe yellow and bananas with brown spots: Which one should you have? Find out here

Don’t Reach for Your Phone First Thing

Checking messages catapults the brain into a stressful response and it takes time to shift the brain back out of that mode. Give at least a 10-minute buffer before transitioning to the screen so you can protect your attention span.

Don't Jump Out of Bed Too Fast

Proactivity, walking and mood is interrelated in our minds and even sudden movement causes cortisol to spike. Sit up gently, take deep breaths and let your body adjust.

Ditch the Morning Social Media Scroll

Social media bombards the brain with quick hits of information, which diminishes the ability to concentrate. Browse after breakfast, not beforehand.

Don’t Check Work Emails Early

Emails put you in your problem-solving mode before it’s time. It saps mental energy before the workday has begun.

Don’t Skip Hydration

Dehydration affects cognitive performance. Grease the brain with a glass of water before anything else.

Avoid Loud, Abrupt Alarm Sounds

Harsh alarms increase stress hormones. Opt for soothing noises to wake up quietly.

Also read: Long walk Vs short walks: Apollo Neurologist says latter are better; Here's why

10-Minute Quick Fix Routine

Minute 1–2: Rise up slowly, breath in deep and stretch your neck and shoulders.
3–4 Minute: Drink one full glass of water.
Minute 5–6: Pull aside the curtain or walk onto the balcony and catch some rays.
7-8 minutes: Do some simple breathing — four seconds in, four out.9–10 minutes: Before physically touching your phone, make an intention for the day.

FAQs on how poor morning habits affect our health:

1. Can skipping breakfast harm my health?

Yes, it may reduce energy, slow metabolism, and increase cravings later in the day.

2. How does using my phone first thing in the morning affect me?

It can increase stress, worsen focus, and disrupt a calm start to the day.

3. Does waking up late impact health?

Regular late waking can disturb the body clock and affect sleep quality.

4. Can a rushed morning routine increase stress?

Yes, starting the day in a hurry raises cortisol levels and impacts mood.

5. Is drinking coffee on an empty stomach harmful?

For some people it may cause acidity, jitteriness, or digestive discomfort.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.