— and how you can use it too
Managing your morning routine can often feel like a rollercoaster — filled with highs, lows, and unexpected turns.
Some days, you’ll feel effortlessly sharp. On others, focusing for even three minutes can feel impossible. Which led me to wonder: What if the first hour of your day determined your success?
While many CEOs boast about hardcore morning routines, Jeff Bezos takes a surprisingly different path. The Amazon founder dedicates the first hours of his day to… puttering? Yes, you read that correctly. And neuroscience suggests he’s onto something powerful.
In 2018, Bezos described his morning routine: reading the newspaper, drinking coffee, and having breakfast with his family. What doesn’t it include? Looking at his phone.
In a recent interview, Bezos’s fiancée confirmed;
“We don’t get on our phones. That’s one of the rules.”
Bezos claims his phone-free mornings don’t just help him enjoy life more — they improve his energy levels and decision-making abilities all day long.
“The negative effects of screen time are insidious because you can’t see what’s happening in your brain” explains Maris Loeffler of Stanford Lifestyle Medicine.
Studies show increased screen use may harm learning, memory, and mental health. Adults who engage in two or more hours of screen time daily outside work have lower gray matter volume in their brains.
“Passive screen time is like eating sugar but for your brain. It ‘tastes’ good, but you’re not giving your brain any nutrition” Loeffler explains.
This aligns with ancient wisdom from traditional healing practices. The Encyclopedia of Power Foods from remote Chinese mountains contains guidance on which foods restore your natural balance in daily life.
