The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the First Hour After Waking Up, According to Cardiologists
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the First Hour After Waking Up, According to Cardiologists originally appeared on Parade.
The way you start your day can really set the tone for the way the rest of it goes, especially when it comes to your heart health. You don't need an American Psycho-esque, hustle culture-obsessed, manosphere-inspired morning routine to keep your ticker in good shape, but you do need some overall good habits—and that includes habits specifically to avoid.We don't need to tell you that starting your day by smoking, vaping or boozing is a bad idea if you're trying to be healthy. But what if we told you that there's a seemingly harmless habit that cardiologists say can do a number on your wellbeing? Find out what heart docs say to never, ever do within your first hour of waking up and why it's more dangerous than you may realize.🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊
Whether you're doomscrolling, giggling at reels or returning texts you got overnight when you were on Do Not Disturb mode, cardiologists warn that checking your phone in the first hour of waking up is a no-no.There are a few reasons for this, but the most obvious one is that our phones and the constant stream of information (and misinformation) we get from them can stress us the hell out—but it goes even beyond that, warns , cardiothoracic surgeon at Southern California Surgical."It's not just about stress hormones. It's about what kind of day that habit sets in motion," she tells Parade.Related:
Essentially, in addition to scrolling potentially triggering anxiety or FOMO, you're also setting yourself up for a day that's less than ideal for your heart health, according to Dr. Kharazi. This is because you're doing that instead of things that are actually good for you. These can include preparing a heart-healthy breakfast, meditating, really savoring your morning coffee or tea, stretching, exercising, walking your dog or even just spending a few minutes with your loved ones before schlepping off to work.Dr. Kharazi isn't alone in her warnings against checking your phone first thing in the morning."It's well established is that both acute and chronic psychological stressors are linked to high blood pressure and heart disease in the form of heart attacks and heart failure," , cardiologist and professor of medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, tells us. "So, and this part would depend on the individual, if checking our phones first thing in the morning is a net-negative or psychologically stressful experience, those known associations would apply."Related:
Essentially, if your feeds are full of doom, gloom or people seemingly doing better and/or having more fun than you are, you may be breaking your heart in more ways than one.What's more, checking your phone first thing in the morning—plus too much screentime daily—can cement poor habits, like a lack of movement, which can increase your risk of metabolic problems and cardiovascular issues, , board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, says. Those issues can, in turn, up your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.Dr. Kharazi suggests swapping out your a.m. scrolling habit with movement, ideally in sunlight (but put on your SPF first!): go for a jog, a quick walk around the block (or even just through your backyard or garden), do some yoga poses or just stretch in the sunshine.
Related:
That said, Dr. Chen explains there are some benefits to internet and social media use, but you have to use them wisely and with boundaries: don't use your phone first thing in the morning or at bedtime, put it away while you're eating and schedule your use by setting time limits.
"If used properly, the internet can potentially help improve someone's health," he says. "It can provide access to information that can improve someone's health literacy. Social media can be used to increase health awareness, especially among the younger population. Online communities could be beneficial as support groups for people with certain heart conditions."
Up Next:Dr. Paul Bhella, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD
Dr. Alexandra Kharazi, MD, FACS
The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do in the First Hour After Waking Up, According to Cardiologists first appeared on Parade on Jun 11, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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