Imagine you are deep asleep and someone throws a cup of cold water on you. Does this look like a good start to the day? What would your mood be like if you were rushed to start the day and asked to be productive in the process? Science directs that waking up in a pleasant manner significantly impacts our emotions including lowering our stress hormones and boosting cognitive focus. Do’s : Adjust your sleep cycle to be as close as possible to your body’s biological clock- meaning, for those who work or study in the day shift, this would be any 6-8 hours in the 10pm to 7pm framework. Use a physical alarm clock, rather than the phone. Lie in bed for 5-10 mins upon waking up and take in the surroundings, deep breathing, look at the face of someone you love, rub your palms-keeping them over your eye. Take in 10-15 minutes of early morning sunlight. Drink water Immediate access to the phone, active planning/ worrying about work- can trigger the production of stress hormones. Cultivating a calm morning routine is not just a pleasant luxury, it is a powerful investment in your long-term mental clarity and emotional well-being.

Dr Rachel Jayaseelan
Founder, Counseling Psychologist
Wellness Within