Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 24: If you've ever forgotten why you entered a room or find yourself regularly misplacing things, you're not alone. While such lapses might seem like part of modern life, neuroscientist Robert WB Love says some daily habits could be quietly undermining your memory.
In an Instagram post, the brain expert, who is known for promoting lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, shared three seemingly harmless habits that could be impacting your brain health — and what you can do to fix them.
1. Drinking coffee too soon after waking up
Coffee may be your go-to morning ritual, but drinking it immediately after waking could leave you feeling drained by the afternoon.
“Coffee blocks something called adenosine,” Love explained, “and if you do that right away, you're likely to get brain fog or fatigue later.”
He recommends waiting 90 to 120 minutes before having your first cup. During that time, activities like jumping rope, taking a cold shower, or light exercise can help you wake up naturally and boost alertness without compromising your energy later.
2. Checking your phone in the middle of the night
Whether it’s checking the time or scrolling briefly, Love says reaching for your phone at night can disrupt your sleep and memory.
“The bright light from your phone wakes you up if you look at it longer than 10 seconds,” he said. “And seeing the time can also cause stress if you realise you've barely slept.”
Instead, he advises avoiding screens, keeping your eyes closed, and trying to fall back asleep without checking the clock.
3. Watching TV before bed
That late-night Netflix binge might be costing you more than a few hours of sleep.
“Watching TV increases adrenaline and wakes us up,” Love said. He added that screen exposure, especially to blue light, reduces melatonin — the hormone that regulates sleep.
Beyond brain health, he noted a surprising impact on relationships: “Couples with a television in the bedroom have less sex.”
His advice? Keep screens out of the bedroom and unwind with non-stimulating activities instead.
By making small changes to these daily habits, Love says you can improve your sleep, boost brain function, and protect your memory in the long run.