Here's What Sleep Doctors Never, Ever Do In The Morning
We know what they don't do in the mornings. So, what do sleep doctors do? One thing that came up consistently was ensuring they were exposed to light early in the morning.
'One of the first things I do in the morning, usually within 30 minutes of waking, is exposing myself to natural sunlight by going outside or sitting by a window,' Rohrscheib said. 'Light during the day is very important for keeping our circadian rhythm well-regulated. Studies have shown that a lack of sunlight exposure can reduce the quality of your sleep, contribute to insomnia, and negatively impact mood.'
Dasgupta also makes sure to get sun exposure first thing in the morning. 'Getting sunlight exposure first thing in the morning upon waking up can increase alertness and energy during the day, leading to improved sleep at night,' he said.
Another big tip that came up? Exercise. 'Getting active quickly is a fantastic way to signal to your brain that the day has begun,' Winter said. 'The exercise does not have to be particularly intense. I start my day off by walking my dogs every day or walking with my wife to work.'
Interestingly, another thing Winter always makes sure to do is make his bed. 'It's not only symbolically powerful, but it's also a great deterrent for individuals who might want to slip back into bed during the day and feel the napping might adversely affect their sleep the upcoming night,' he said.
As far as we're concerned, the fact that sleep doctors don't say anything about giving up coffee is a big win. As long as we can have our coffee, we don't mind dragging ourselves out of bed before checking emails and scrolling through Instagram.
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