5 Things Sleep Doctors Really Want You To Stop Doing In The Morning

A good sleep routine starts in the morning. How you start your day can have a bigger impact on bedtime than you may think, so we rounded up five common morning habits that sleep experts really want you to stop doing:

When it comes to good sleep, consistency is key—and that goes for your bedtime and wake time. As double-board-certified integrative medicine doctor Amy Shah, M.D., previously explained to mbg, "When you alter a sleep schedule more than an hour difference, your body feels tired because your circadian rhythm has not been synced." When you wake up at the same time every day, on the other hand, your body will naturally be more ready to get up and at 'em.

Here's more on the chronotypes so you can figure out the best sleep and wake times for you. Some other ways to support your chronotype include scheduling meetings during optimal time windows, eating meals at similar times each day, and taking a sleep-supporting supplement to help you stick to your ideal bedtime.*

We've all hit the snooze button before, but according to holistic nurse practitioner Victoria Albina, N.P., MPH, snoozing isn't doing anything for you besides making it harder to get up—and setting yourself up for a groggier morning. "When you hit the snooze button, you're more likely to fall back into a deeper state of sleep," she previously explained, which translates to a rougher transition into the day.

"Open your blinds as soon as you wake up, and be sure to spend at least some time every day outside in broad daylight," holistic psychiatrist Ellen Vora, M.D., previously suggested.

And last but not least, Breus has also previously explained the importance of eating breakfast—so long as it's a nutritious one. He says you'll want to go toward a protein-packed breakfast with healthy fats and further, one with little refined sugar and carbohydrates. (And for what it's worth, you can figure out the best time to eat breakfast based on your chronotype, as well). This will set you up for a regular eating schedule throughout the day and night.

We all need consistent, quality sleep to make sure we're functioning at our best, and sometimes these sneaky morning habits wind up affecting our sleep more than we may realize. So along with having a good nighttime routine, don't forget that what you do in the morning counts, too.