Think about the very first thing you do in the morning. If you're like the vast majority of people (let's stick with in the United States), then you probably reach to your nightstand and check your phone. I'm assuming you check for social media updates, personal and work email, and maybe the news. Am I guessing right?
This isn't a post to criticize technology use.
This is really a post to question your awareness of technology use.
How quickly do you turn to your phone when you have nothing to do? How quickly do you pull it out if you feel uncomfortable or awkward in any given situation? And how quickly do you turned your phone when you "should" be doing something else?
Again, not criticizing technology.
My point in even questioning this is to wonder about the result of turning to our phones when we feel bored, uncomfortable, or even right when we wake up. L I can't help but think that it all results in constant stimulation and us being inundated with information. And I'm not sure what good that does for us.
When we are constantly stimulated, we leave no room for empty mental space, which is where creativity thrives, and which gives are brain a break.
And when we constantly turn to our phones, especially when we first wake up, we're not even giving our brain a chance to exist without incoming information. Between thinking constantly (which most people do) and constantly taking in information, what is that doing for us?
My guess is not much.
The Brain Challenge
So, my challenge for you is to set your phone aside for the first 10 minutes after you wake up for two full weeks.
If you use your phone as an alarm clock, then right when you wake up from your alarm, shut it off and step away from the phone. For 10 minutes. Maybe just sit and look outside at nature, or have a cup of coffee or tea, or journal, or do squats, push-ups, and crunches, or do anything that makes you feel calm and good. This isn't a directive to start doing any one of those particular things – the challenge is to set your phone aside for the first 10 minutes of your day.
Good luck to you and keep me posted on how you do!