11 Things You Should Never Do Just After You Wake Up

Awkwardly Stretch Your Body

Do you stay in a ball (fetal position) after waking up? Or do you stretch a little? Research has found that if you remain in your fetal position after opening your eyes, you could end up botching your morning. Dr. Amy J.C. Cuddy, a Harvard PHD, conducted the study. She reported that people who slept curled up then remained curled up had lower confidence levels than those who stretched their body long (kind of like a cat) upon waking.

However, you do not want to go overboard with your stretching either. Springing up from the bed and arching your body this way and that too soon could result in injury. If you plan on stretching, be mindful about it. Sleeping causes your spinal discs to decompress and absorb liquid as part of a rehydration process. Overnight, the discs in your back expand, which is why most people are taller in the morning than they are later in the day.

Unfortunately, this natural healing process may also cause some stiffness in the spine and limit your range of motion in the motion. So, be gentle with yourself in the morning. Try not to wretch your spine, or else you are going to be favoring it all day long.