Hey Lykkers! Let's be real for a second. What's the very first thing you do when your alarm goes off? If you're like most of us, you reach for your phone.

Maybe you check the weather, scroll through notifications, or dive straight into emails, all while still tucked under the covers.

It feels productive, right? Like we're getting a head start on the day. But what if I told you that this habit is secretly sabotaging your mood, focus, and stress levels before you’ve even had your coffee? Welcome to the case for the "Reset Hour."

Think of your mind first thing in the morning as a clean, quiet slate. It's fresh, calm, and full of potential. Now, imagine immediately dumping a truckload of information onto that slate: news headlines, social media comparisons, work demands, and other people's agendas.

This is what happens when you grab your phone. You're immediately launching your brain into a state of reactive mode. Instead of setting your own tone for the day, you're letting external inputs—many of them stressful or distracting—dictate it. You're starting your day on defense, responding to everyone else's needs before you've even considered your own.

The Science of a Slow Start

This isn't just a feeling; it's rooted in our brain chemistry. The first hour after waking is a delicate period for your cortisol levels (your primary stress hormone). A natural, gentle rise in cortisol is what helps you feel alert and awake. However, a sudden jolt from a stressful email or an overwhelming news feed can spike your cortisol too high, too fast.

This sets you up for a day of higher anxiety, mental fog, and a feeling of being constantly on edge. The Reset Hour is about protecting this sensitive window. By avoiding your phone, you allow your nervous system to wake up gradually, building a foundation of calm that you can carry with you all day.

"If your first move in the morning is checking your phone, your brain misses out on its most powerful window of the day," warns Dr. Wendy Suzuki, neuroscientist and professor.

How to Craft Your Perfect Reset Hour (No Extreme Measures Required)

This doesn't mean you have to become a monk who meditates for an hour at sunrise. The goal is simply to be intentional. Here are a few simple ideas to try:

Claim Your Quiet: Just for 10-15 minutes, enjoy the silence. Sip your water or coffee without a screen in front of you. Look out the window. Let your mind wander.

Move Gently: This isn't about a high-intensity workout. It could be a few stretches or a short walk around your block. The goal is to reconnect with your body and wake it up with kindness.

Nourish Intentionally: Instead of gulping down breakfast while scrolling, try to actually taste your food. This simple act of mindfulness is a powerful way to stay present.

Set an Intention: Take one minute to ask yourself: "What is one thing I want to feel today?" or "What is one small priority I can accomplish?" This sets a proactive, not reactive, tone.

Reclaim Your Morning, Reclaim Your Day

Lykkers, the world will make its demands on you soon enough. The Reset Hour is your gift to yourself—a protected space to remember who you are and what you want before the world tells you what you should be.

It's a small investment of time that pays massive dividends in focus, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of control over your life. So tonight, charge your phone in another room. Tomorrow morning, give yourself the gift of a true reset. Your calm, focused future self will thank you for it.