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Once you have the basics of a given technological leap in place, it’s always important to step back and focus on the people for a while.
Jaron Lanier, You Are Not a Gadget
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Wake up before you boot up.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Your alarm clock is ringing and your day is about to begin.

If you use your smartphone as an alarm, or if you keep some other gadget on your nightstand, you’re probably already scrolling through emails and updates, with your head still on the pillow.

Jump-starting your brain with some “bed browsing” is certainly an effective way to wake up, but there are pitfalls. Browsing the web in bed–especially when half-awake–can easily eat up the morning, causing you to skimp on breakfast or be late for work. Also, you have all day to be stressed out by work email, so why not start your day with a ritual that reduces stress instead, such as meditation, exercise, or eating a healthy breakfast?

  • Completely power down gadgets before bed.
  • Avoid using your smartphone as an alarm clock.
  • Keep your nightstand gadget-free.
  • Pick a morning ritual to be completed before going online, such as eating breakfast, walking the dog, or doing simple exercises such as stretching and pushups.
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