Why Your Daily Habits Are Wrecking Your Brain (And What You Can Do About It Right Now)
It’s early morning, and the first thing you do — before you’ve even had a sip of water — is reach for your phone. You start scrolling through notifications, responding to messages, and getting sucked into the black hole of social media. Sound familiar?
Now, fast forward to the evening. You’re finally on the couch, ready to relax, but instead of just enjoying your favourite show, you’re also scrolling through Instagram, checking out online sales, and maybe even catching up on the news.
Welcome to the reality of modern life. We’ve all (or at least many of us) been there, and if you’re like me, you probably thought you were being super productive. After all, you’re staying on top of everything, right? Wrong.
We’re frying our brains.
Studies show that 88% of us use a second screen while watching TV, and 80% of smartphone users check their phones within minutes of waking up. We’ve normalized these habits, but they’re silently destroying our focus, shrinking our attention spans, and even messing with the grey matter in our brains — the stuff that controls how we think and feel.
I used to be that way. My mornings were a chaotic mess of emails, notifications, and social media, all before I even got out of bed. My evenings? A blur of TV shows I couldn’t fully enjoy because I was too busy checking my phone and answering even more messages.
My focus was shattered, and my brain felt like it was running on fumes.
Some years ago I decided to make a change. I resisted the urge to reach for my phone first thing in the morning (in fact, I took the appropriate measures that prohibit me to use my phone, called “Downtime”).
I stepped outside and let the natural light hit my face. It sounds simple, but it’s a game-changer. Morning light helps regulate your body’s internal clock, leading to better sleep, a better mood, and sharper mental clarity.
In the evenings, I consciously tried to stick to one screen at a time. I put my phone down when watching TV, and if the show didn’t grab my attention, I found something more engaging or just took a break from screens altogether.
My focus improved, my mind felt clearer, and I started enjoying my downtime again.
Why am I telling you all this?
Because I know you might be dealing with similar topics. We live in a world that glorifies multitasking and constant connectivity, but at what cost? Our brains are suffering, and so is our overall well-being.
But it doesn’t have to be this way!
Small, powerful changes will protect your brain and improve your life. Start your day without your phone. Soak in some morning light. Commit to focusing on one thing at a time. These might seem like ridiculously small tweaks, and yes, we all already heard of them, but they can have a huge impact. (And knowing is not doing, am I right??)
It’s time to break the cycle. Your brain deserves better. Let’s reclaim our focus, clarity, and peace of mind. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Your brain is incredibly resilient, but it needs care and attention to stay healthy. If you’ve noticed similar struggles in your own life, perhaps it’s time to make some changes. Your brain — and your peace of mind — are worth it.
