The Zero Hour: My Simple (and Fun) Morning Hack for More Energy and Less Anxiety

By Dr. Sara Shum PT, DPT, MBA

I discovered a simple habit that helps me and my clients sleep better, wake up with more energy, and, most importantly, find more joy in everyday life.

Back in undergrad, I went to bed every night with intense anxiety. I worked tirelessly for straight A’s and a spot in grad school, and dreaded waking up to face another day of nonstop studying and hustle. My anxiety made it hard to fall asleep, and frequent night terrors left me exhausted and unmotivated to start yet another monotonous day.

Then one night, I had an epiphany: what if, instead of forcing myself through a tedious morning routine of meditation, journaling, or exercise, I started my day with something I actually looked forward to? Something that would make opening my eyes first thing in the morning so much easier? Something I genuinely enjoyed?

So, every morning, I started setting a pomodoro timer for 25 minutes to read my book with a cup of coffee.

Lo and behold, after that, I would be ready to do all the other things that I knew were important for a productive morning.

I now call this my “Zero Hour,” and it has significantly improved my life and daily bandwidth.

Instead of lying awake dreading the next day, I now go to bed excited for when I wake up (sounds so cheesy, I know, but it’s true) because I get to have time for myself in the morning and read. That small hit of “healthy” dopamine gives me focus and momentum for the rest of the day.

This habit helped me thrive during grad school, where I earned both a Doctor of Physical Therapy and an MBA at the same time. Systems like this brought me so much joy, ease, and energy! It has been completely transformational.

Now I make sure all the clients I work with design their own Zero Hour. And it doesn’t have to be reading; it could be a creative hobby, like cross-stitching or coloring, or it could even be playing a video game for a set amount of time. The key really is choosing something you actually love (not just what society or some influencer tells you you should like) so that you can wake up and actually have fun.

This is honestly a life-changing habit. Starting your day with joy not only shifts your mindset but also gives you the energy to be a good person and do great and impactful things!

Connect With Dr. Sara

www.sarashum.com

www.instagram.com/chillbutdriven