Why you should ditch your phone for the first hour of your day—and how it can spark better ideas.
Morning Routines: The Bezos Way
Plenty of top CEOs—like Apple’s Tim Cook and Pepsi’s Indra Nooyi—wake up at ungodly hours to get ahead. Jeff Bezos has a different approach. He spends his first hour of the day “puttering”—no phones, no email, just slow, intentional time.
The “Puttering” Secret
In 2018, Bezos explained that mornings are for reading the paper, sipping coffee, and enjoying family breakfast—no screens allowed. His fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, confirms that rule is still going strong: devices are off-limits for that first hour.
This might be personal preference, since everyone’s wired differently. But Bezos insists his laid-back mornings boost his energy and decision-making for the rest of the day. Current neuroscience backs him up.
Your Brain on Too Much Screen Time
One morning of scrolling in bed won’t ruin you. But day after day, it wears you down.
- Learning, Memory, and Mood: Excessive screen time hurts cognitive functions, says Stanford’s Lifestyle Medicine Program.
- Increased Disease Risk: Watching five+ hours of TV daily can heighten your risk for dementia or Parkinson’s.
- Shrinking Gray Matter: Studies show two or more hours of non-work screen time might reduce gray matter in your brain.
Think of screen time as sugar for your brain. It’s instant gratification but offers zero nutritional value. It can also mess with your sleep, eyes, and posture.
A Healthier Morning Routine
Stanford experts recommend exactly what Bezos does: stay screen-free for your first hour. Instead of reaching for your phone, try:
• Exercise: Start your day with a quick energy boost.
• Connect: Call or text someone you care about.
• Cook: Make a wholesome breakfast (your brain will thank you).
• Meditate: Stillness before the daily chaos.
• Listen to Music: Easy on the mind, good for your mood.
• Practice Gratitude: Jot down what you’re thankful for.
• Read a Book: Feed your mind without blue light.
• Get Outside: Let natural light sync your body’s clock.
“How do you want your day to begin?” asks Stanford’s Maris Loeffler. A phone-free start sets the tone for clear thinking and better decision-making.
What This Means for Designers and Product Managers
Design and product work demand creative focus. Too much digital noise can sap your energy before you’ve even started.
Here’s how to apply Bezos’s phone-free hour:
• Protect Your Creativity: Give your mind space to wander and spark new ideas.
• Avoid Digital Drain: Diving into emails or Slack at dawn kills your flow.
• Plan Your Day: Use that calm hour to outline priorities or sketch designs on paper.
Chances are, you’ll feel less frazzled and more productive.
Ready to Level Up Your Design Strategy?
Jeff Bezos’s routine isn’t rocket science—it’s a simple, powerful tweak. Tomorrow, spend that first hour tech-free. You may find an immediate boost in mental clarity and creativity.
Need more ways to optimize your design or product workflow? At Dmazing Studio, we’ve got over 11 years of experience creating fresh, human-centered designs that help you stand out.
Book your FREE 30-minute consultation to learn how a thoughtful, brain-friendly approach can elevate your product’s success:
https://calendly.com/dmazing-studio/30min
We’ll help you implement smart routines and smarter designs—no doom scrolling required!
