He described one habit as needing 'cigarette packet-style warnings'14:17, 25 Jun 2026A GP claims that there are five common morning habits doctors wish people would quit. He said there are many other, healthier habits to adopt that would likely lead to fewer people needing to see a doctor.‌Dr David Weinstein is an NHS GP based in Brighton, and says many of us are guilty of having a cup of coffee first thing. But he said it can lead to headaches and dehydration throughout the day and should be avoided.‌Instead, you should have a pint of water before your cup of coffee to rehydrate after the overnight fast, before having any caffeinated drinks. Another common mistake people make is starting the day with cereal, which, while often marketed as a healthy option, just gives you a sugar hit that will leave you hungry again within two hours.‌He said, as a GP, he would "heavily tax breakfast cereals" and "put cigarette packet-style warnings" on cereal boxes to let people know how unhealthy they are. David, who also works at One Day Tests, said: "I'd love to see people start the day with a pint of water."Fewer people would come to see me as a GP with headaches - it's a simple, but very positive thing you can do. With cereals, when something is considered to be part of a normal morning routine, and makes health claims like being 'high fibre', I think it's criminal."‌David said rather than cereal, people should instead have a bowl of Greek yoghurt with some berries and nuts for a boost of protein and healthy fats for the day. While porridge is a much better choice than regular cereal, he said other options with more protein would still be better.He said: "Yoghurt, fruit, a few nuts - it's still just chucking stuff in a bowl. It'll take the same amount of time to put together as cereal and milk."Similarly, he said rushing out the door without having breakfast can cause damage in an unexpected way. He explained this can lead to people becoming ravenous by 10 or 11am - and having an unhealthy snack instead, out of convenience or craving.‌David said: "When you're hungry you make unwise decisions. Fasting for the morning only works if you've got a well-planned healthy lunch or breakfast, rather than rushing to the bakery for, maybe, a big sweet pastry."David also said grabbing your phone to scroll before you get out of bed in the morning can cause a hit of cortisol relating to stress and anxiety. He said: "I'm guilty of this myself, a lot of us reach for our phones as soon as we wake.‌"It's terrible - starting the day with stress and anxiety checking emails and scrolling social media and the news." He said instead, people should purchase an old-fashioned alarm clock so they can leave their phone outside the bedroom overnight rather than having it as their alarm.In the morning, when you wake up, he said you should not touch your phone for the first 15 minutes. Instead, do some gentle stretches and think of a few things you're grateful for to set you up for the day.He added: "That instant hit of anxiety, instant bad news - it hits you straight away and it's not how we're designed to start the day. We need a gentle introduction - otherwise it's a cortisol hit much too early."Article continues belowAnother morning routine we should cut out is going straight from "bed to chair" or "bed to car" when starting work. Instead, aim for 15 minutes of gentle movement, such as stretches or a short walk, ideally outdoors, to improve your mood for the day.He said: "Doing 15 minutes of movement clears your head, helps your mood and energy, and prepares you for the day. Bed to chair is a toxic thing that has become normal."