Everyday wellness1 min
Phone in the Drawer for the First Half Hour
Leaving the phone in a drawer for the first thirty minutes after waking. A calm-start habit.
Own the first thirty minutes
Reaching for the phone first thing puts news, messages and other people's demands in front of you before you are fully awake. Keeping it in a drawer for the first half hour gives you time for water, stretching, a walk or a quiet cup of tea, and many people feel calmer and less rushed. It is a habit and not a treatment for anxiety or poor sleep.
Charge the phone away from the bed, use a simple alarm clock if you need one, and fill the half hour with something you enjoy. Start with ten minutes if thirty feels hard. If you feel constant anxiety, low mood or difficulty putting the phone down, talk to a doctor or counsellor.
Ingredients
- A drawer or box away from the bed
- A simple alarm clock
- A glass of water and a cup of tea
How to prepare
- Charge the phone in another room or in a drawer.
- Set a basic alarm clock.
How to use
- Do not look at the phone for the first thirty minutes.
- Use the time for water, stretching or a short walk.
Helpful habits
- Start with ten minutes and build up.
- Tell family so they know when to expect you.
Precautions
- Constant anxiety, low mood or struggling to put the phone down needs a doctor or counsellor.
- Keep a way to be reached in an emergency.
- A habit, not a treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Will this reduce stress?
- Many people find a calmer start, but it is not a treatment.
What if I use the phone as an alarm?
- Use a cheap alarm clock instead.
What should I do with the half hour?
- Water, stretching, a walk or quiet tea.
