For years, I was guilty of a seemingly harmless habit.

You probably know the one:

– Reaching for your phone as soon as you open your eyes…

– Starting the day with a dose of emails, texts, and social media notifications…

– Allowing the digital world to take over before even stepping out of bed.

Sound familiar?

For the longest time, I was the guy who would grab his phone first thing in the morning. Little did I know how much this simple act was revealing about my personality traits.

Until one day, I stumbled upon a fascinating psychology study. It suggested that our early morning phone-checking habit can reveal quite a lot about us.

Intrigued and slightly skeptical, I delved deeper to uncover these 7 traits that we might be displaying unknowingly.

In this article, I’ll share these insightful findings and their implications.

Hopefully, they’ll offer you the same ‘aha’ moment they gave me, and perhaps even inspire you to reconsider your morning routine.

Let’s dive in.

1) You’re a goal-oriented person

The first trait that psychologists link with checking your phone right after waking up is being goal-oriented.

This might come as a surprise. After all, scrolling through social media or checking work emails isn’t exactly the picture of productivity.

But here’s the thing: if you’re reaching for your phone as soon as you open your eyes, it’s likely because you have a strong desire to know what’s going on, to connect, to be informed.

In other words, you’re driven by specific goals, even if they’re as simple as catching up with the latest news or messages.

This can be both a blessing and a curse.

On one hand, being goal-oriented is often associated with success and achievement. You’re focused, determined, and not easily swayed from your path.

On the other hand, constantly checking your phone can lead to stress and anxiety if not managed properly.

It’s important to strike a balance between staying connected and taking time for yourself.

So if you’re guilty of this habit, consider it a sign of your goal-driven nature. But remember to take a step back now and then to ensure it doesn’t consume you.

This simple act of self-reflection might help you manage your morning routine better.

2) You’re susceptible to immediate gratification

I’ll be honest: I used to reach for my phone first thing in the morning because it gave me an instant sense of accomplishment.

It was a quick fix, a way to feel connected and productive without having to leave my bed.

Psychologists suggest that this habit is indicative of a tendency towards immediate gratification.

We’re seeking an instant reward – the dopamine rush of a new message or notification – rather than delaying satisfaction for more meaningful gains.

As American psychologist B.F. Skinner once said, “A behavior followed by a reward is more likely to occur again in the future.” This is exactly what’s happening when we check our phones in the morning.

Our brains associate that action with the reward of feeling connected and informed, making it more likely that we’ll repeat it.

But here’s what I learned: while there’s nothing inherently wrong with seeking immediate gratification, it can become a problem if it starts to overshadow our long-term goals.

For instance, I found that my morning phone-checking habit was eating into the time I had set aside for morning exercise – a long-term goal I had for improving my health.

So, I made a change.

Now, I leave my phone on Do Not Disturb until after I’ve finished my workout. It was a small shift, but it made a big difference to my morning routine – and my overall wellbeing.

If you’re in the same boat, try recognizing this trait in yourself and consider how you can balance immediate rewards with your long-term goals. It might just make all the difference.

3) You’re a creature of habit

Another trait that morning phone-checkers like me tend to have is being a creature of habit.

For years, my morning routine was pretty much set in stone: alarm goes off, hand reaches for phone, thumb starts scrolling. It was automatic, almost robotic.

Psychologists suggest that this kind of behavior indicates a strong preference for routine and order. We find comfort in the familiar, in knowing exactly what to expect.

There’s a certain security in following a well-worn path, even if it involves checking our phones first thing in the morning.

But here’s what I discovered: while routines can provide stability and structure, they can also become a hindrance if they’re not serving us well.

My morning phone-scrolling habit was making me start my day in a reactive state, responding to other people’s needs before I’d even had a chance to consider my own.

So I decided to shake things up. Instead of reaching for my phone as soon as I woke up, I started spending the first few minutes of my day in quiet reflection.

It was a small change, but it brought a new sense of calm and focus to my mornings.

If you’re also a creature of habit, consider whether your routines are truly serving you or if they could use some tweaking. A few small changes could make all the difference.

4) You might struggle with self-control

Here’s something I found challenging to admit: my constant need to check my phone first thing in the morning was a sign of struggling with self-control.

Research from the University of Texas suggests that our smartphones can be incredibly distracting, even when we’re not using them. The mere presence of our phones – within sight or within easy reach – can reduce our ability to focus and perform tasks.

In a study published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, researchers found that participants who kept their phones in a different room performed better on cognitive tasks than those who had their phones on the desk next to them.

So what does this mean for those of us who reach for our phones as soon as we wake up?

It suggests that we might be struggling to resist the pull of our devices, even when it’s in our best interest to do so.

I realized that I was letting my phone dictate my morning routine, instead of consciously deciding how I wanted to start my day.

So, I made a change.

Instead of keeping my phone on my bedside table, I started leaving it in a different room overnight. It was a small step towards regaining control over my attention and my time.

If you find yourself reaching for your phone first thing every morning, consider what this might say about your self-control – and remember, small changes can make a big difference.

5) You might be prone to stress

I hate to admit it, but I used to find myself feeling stressed out even before I got out of bed. And my morning phone-checking habit was a big part of the problem.

Psychologists suggest that checking our phones first thing in the morning can increase our stress levels. We’re bombarded with information and requests the moment we wake up, setting a frantic pace for the rest of the day.

Think about it: how often have you read an email or a news story that’s made your heart race or your mind start worrying first thing in the morning?

For me, it was happening far too often. I was starting my day in a state of stress and anxiety, which was taking a toll on my mental health.

So, I decided to make a change. Instead of checking my phone first thing, I started my day with a few minutes of meditation.

This simple practice helped me start the day on a calmer, more positive note.

If you’re also reaching for your phone as soon as you wake up, consider how it might be impacting your stress levels. Starting the day off in a more mindful way could make a world of difference.

6) You may have a fear of missing out (FOMO)

Confession time: I used to be a slave to FOMO. The fear of missing out on something important was a big part of why I checked my phone first thing in the morning.

Psychologist Dr. Dan Siegel, known for his work on interpersonal neurobiology, once said, “We’re driven by a fear of missing out, by a desire for connection, by a need for information.”

This rings true for many of us who feel compelled to check our phones at all hours.

In my case, I realized that this fear was keeping me constantly connected, but not necessarily in a good way.

I was so worried about missing out on something that I was missing out on the present moment.

So, I made a conscious decision to change this behavior. Instead of checking my phone first thing in the morning, I now take some time to connect with myself and set my intentions for the day.

It’s a small shift that’s made a big difference in how I start my day.

If you also find yourself grappling with FOMO, remember Dr. Siegel’s words and consider how you might create healthier habits for yourself.

7) You’re highly sociable

Here’s a twist: while many might view the habit of checking your phone first thing in the morning as a sign of tech addiction, it could indicate that you’re highly sociable.

If you’re someone who immediately reaches for their phone upon waking, it’s likely because you’re eager to connect with others.

You want to know what’s happening in your social circles, respond to messages, and feel involved in the lives of your friends and family.

In my case, I realized that my morning phone-checking habit was a reflection of my deep-seated desire to connect with others.

But there was a downside. I was so focused on virtual connections that I started neglecting the real-world relationships around me.

So, I decided to change things up.

Now, instead of grabbing my phone first thing in the morning, I take some time to connect with those around me – a quick chat with my partner over breakfast or a morning walk with my dog.

By doing so, I found that not only did I satisfy my need for social interaction, but I also built stronger bonds with those around me.

So if you find yourself reaching for your phone every morning, consider this: maybe you’re not tech-obsessed. Maybe you’re just sociable.

And if that’s the case, why not try satisfying this need through real-world interactions? It might just make your mornings – and your relationships – a whole lot richer.

Conclusion

Let’s face it: we live in a highly connected, digital world, and our phones have become an integral part of our lives.

But being mindful of how and when we use them can make a huge difference to our wellbeing.

If you’re a habitual morning phone-checker like I was, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, take some time to reflect on what these habits might be saying about you – and how they’re serving you.

Are they helping you stay goal-oriented and connected with others? Or are they contributing to stress, reducing self-control, and feeding your FOMO?

Remember, awareness is the first step towards change. Once you understand your habits, you can start making small adjustments to create healthier patterns.

So why not try starting tomorrow differently? Maybe leave your phone in another room overnight. Or carve out some ‘me time’ before diving into the digital world.

These small shifts could lead to big changes in how you start your day – and ultimately, how you live your life.