Dr Wendy Suzuki, a professor at New York University, warned that one common habit is not so good for the brain
It’s easy to assume that the first moments of our days are fairly insignificant, but a neuroscientist has claimed this isn’t the case. You may be surprised to hear that the brain is incredibly impressionable in the initial “window” upon waking up.
While this can be a peaceful time for some, Dr Wendy Suzuki, a professor at New York University, warned that one habit is ruining it for others. In a recent Instagram video, she said: “You’ve been starting your day out all wrong, and your brain hates it. If your first move in the morning is checking your phone, your brain misses out on its most powerful window of the day.”
Right after waking, Dr Suzuki claimed that the brain is generally in its “peak neuroplastic mode”, which describes a high ability to adapt and change due to surroundings and experience. Dopamine, known as the ‘feel-good chemical’, is also replenished during sleep, meaning that levels are naturally higher.
But the specialist claimed that anyone turning to a screen first thing may disrupt this process. She continued: “Dopamine and cortisol are naturally high, giving you a boost in motivation, creativity, and focus.
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“But screens hijack that potential. So, here’s your experiment. For the next five mornings, delay screen time by just 20 minutes. Instead, stretch. Write down three things you want to focus on. Or, just sit with your coffee and your thoughts. Watch what happens when you give your brain space to lead.”
Besides this, it’s crucial to note that scrolling before bed may have a detrimental impact on mental health, too. In one study, researchers from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia found that an overwhelming nine out of ten participants indulged in pre-sleep screen time.
Although just under half (41.7%) reported ‘poor sleep quality’, scientists approximated a ‘two-fold’ risk increase among people using their smartphones for ’16 to 30 minutes’ at bedtime. The danger escalated further to ‘more than three-fold’ for those engaged with their devices ’31 to 45 minutes’ during night-time hours.
At the time, the team wrote: “Our findings suggest that employees who use their smartphones more at bedtime have more risk of being poor sleepers. More attention should be drawn to the misuse of smartphones and its effect sleep quality, health and productivity of adults.”
Crucially, this was a ‘cross-sectional study’, meaning it didn’t definitively establish phone usage as the cause of poor sleep, but rather identified a pattern in results. However, other experts do suggest a causal relationship exists.
Rosey Davidson, a sleep consultant at Just Chill Baby Sleep, previously told Gloucestershire Live that our bedtime habits can significantly impact our sleep quality.
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She said: “Looking at phone content late at night affects our sleep by exposing us to blue light, which suppresses melatonin production, a hormone crucial for sleep.
“To improve sleep and mental health, establish a bedtime routine that limits screen time an hour before sleep.” Furthermore, Rosey advises against using phones first thing in the morning, as this habit can greatly influence your mood for the day.
“When we wake up, our brain transitions from the deeper sleep brain waves (like delta and theta waves) through alpha waves and finally to beta waves,” she continued. “This transition makes us more relaxed and suggestible, which is why consuming phone content immediately upon waking can strongly influence our mood and mindset for the day
“Upon waking, take a few moments to breathe and set intentions before reaching for your phone. If you can charge it on the other side of the bedroom, or outside of the bedroom this puts an extra barrier in place.”