Getting up in the morning can be a real challenge, especially for those of us who struggle to fall asleep at night. But, have you ever stopped to think that maybe your morning routine is keeping you down? Ending a few counterproductive morning-time habits could help alleviate some of the sluggishness you feel when you start your day.

Look, I get it, I’ve been there. I’ve woken up a grumpy guy from lack of sleep and then made it worse by skipping breakfast to rush out the door to work. Better mornings are possible, though, and I’ll tell you how! Start your day out right by checking out these five things to never do in the morning.

1. Skipping breakfast

You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and there is some truth to it. Metabolism varies from person to person, but not eating before leaving the house can lead to low energy levels. It also increases the chances you’ll grab a processed, sugary snack that leads to a late morning crash.

What you eat is essential. Skip sugary cereals and pastries that will just lead to an energy crash and aren’t good for you. You’re better off loading up on protein and healthy fats like eggs, whole wheat toast, and avocado.

2. Hitting the snooze button

After tossing and turning all night, the last thing you want to hear is the annoying beeping of your alarm. It might be tempting to hit the snooze button for an extra ten minutes, but doing so can hinder the start of your day.

For starters, hitting the snooze button isn’t going to leave you less tired. It’s only a few extra minutes of sleep, so it won’t make much difference. It will leave you with less time to get ready for work or other duties, though, adding to your stress and killing your motivation. Try putting your alarm in another room so you have to get up to turn it off.

3. Drinking coffee right away

Millions of us start the day with a cup of coffee. There is research, though, suggesting that your body doesn’t need caffeine first thing in the morning because it naturally produces a hormone called cortisol that makes you feel alert.

Disrupting this cycle can cause your body to produce more cortisol and possibly lead to a dependence on caffeine to produce the same outcome. Also, having too much caffeine makes you jittery. It’s best to let your body’s cortisol give you natural energy first thing and save the coffee for a couple of hours later.

4. Starting work immediately

If you’re the type of person who only leaves yourself enough time to get dressed, grab a bagel, and head out the door in the morning, your abbreviated routine is doing more harm than good. The same goes for remote workers who wake up and hit the computer right away.

Your physical and mental health will likely improve if you make time to do something for yourself before starting work. For some, going for a quick run is the answer, while others benefit from reading the paper or quietly listening to the radio. Getting up a little bit earlier and doing something that improves your mood will leave you feeling better all day long.

5. Checking social media

By the time you wake up, you’ve been without your phone for eight or more hours, and it’s time to check in and see what people are doing, right? Unfortunately, this habit could be promoting negativity and killing your ability to focus.

Social media tends to have a lot of non-positive content, and if you’re checking it out the second you wake up, your first feelings of the day could dampen your mood and give you anxiety. Scrolling through your feed also wastes time, causing you to be stressed and rushed later on.

Get the sleep you need

Avoiding tiredness, laziness, and grumpiness in the morning most often comes down to getting a good night’s sleep the night before. Fortunately, these two innovative products can help you get the peaceful, restful nights you crave.

First, there’s Dodow, a metronome-light scientifically designed to block out overactive thought patterns and lull you into a deep sleep fast. Its mesmerizing light quiets your busy brain, slows your breathing with hypnotic, guided exercise, and restores your mind’s natural ability to fall asleep in minutes.

Another sleep-inducing option is Proper Discovery Pack, holistic sleep aid supplements that help you get better sleep and wake up less groggy. The Discovery Pack contains four unique formulations designed for sleep. Proper’s sleep supplements are natural and non-habit forming, safe to use every night, and contain Venetron, which has been clinically shown to help sleep initiation and enhance non-REM sleep time.

Wake up to better mornings

Starting your morning out right impacts your whole day. Avoiding these five things and checking out Dodow and Proper Discovery Pack could have you feeling like a new person.

What are some less-than-ideal habits you could give up in the morning? Comment below and share this article with anyone you think can learn from it!