A Neuroscientist's Morning Routine Doesn't Begin Without This Brain-Healthy Habit

Oh, the allure of an expert-backed morning routine. After all, the pros are armed with the latest and greatest information in their respective fields, so when a leading expert drops their own tried-and-true habits, you better believe we're taking notes. 

"The first thing I do every morning is take note of how I've woken up and immediately observe what emotions [I feel]," says Leaf. No stretches, brain games, or special supplements (there will be plenty of time for that later!). Just a quick emotional reflection: "Sometimes I'll wake up, and already the first thing coming out of my mouth is a complaint. I'll grab that immediately and manage it," she adds. 

According to Leaf, there's a sliver of mental space right when you wake up that's crucial for mind management. "Your conscious mind is only awake when you're awake," she notes, but your unconscious mind works 24/7, even while you're asleep. Your mind is very vulnerable when you first wake up, as your unconscious and conscious mind start to work together again. 

"If I'm in a negative frame of mind, I may need to actually spend five minutes or so getting myself back to [baseline]," Leaf explains. "What happened? Was it a dream? Was it something unresolved from yesterday that I carried over and went to sleep with? I get that sorted out, and then that sets me up for whatever comes next." 

If you fail to work through those sensitive emotions, Leaf says, they will no doubt affect the rest of your day. That said, take the time to reflect on how you're feeling before you even get out of bed.