The Power of Puttering: A Mindful Start to the Day
Intelligent Living
By Payal Padmanabhan, California
We often hear that the way we start our mornings sets the tone for the rest of the day. Morning routines are widely discussed, and many of us look to influential people and their habits as a key to their success, hoping to emulate them in our own lives. These routines can vary widely — from highly structured and productivity-driven to something slower and more relaxed. In recent times, the idea of “puttering,” popularized by Jeff Bezos, has been gaining attention as a different way to begin the day.
“Puttering” — what exactly does that mean? By definition, it refers to engaging in light, leisurely, and seemingly aimless tasks without a strict deadline. For the current generation, this might easily be mistaken for aimlessly scrolling on phones. However, that is precisely where it becomes important to understand what puttering truly means.
During a speech at the Economic Club of Washington, Jeff Bezos shared that the first hour of his day typically includes reading the newspaper, drinking coffee, and spending time with his family. What it deliberately does not include is screen time of any kind.
It is widely acknowledged that individuals benefit from routines that align with what their bodies are naturally comfortable with. At the same time, many experts caution against engaging with screens immediately after waking up, as it can negatively impact cognitive focus and mental well-being.
As it turns out, there may be more science behind Bezos's quiet mornings than first meets the eye. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that prolonged screen exposure was associated with reduced neurite density in regions tied to language, communication, and memory — the same areas implicated in dementia — alongside elevated risks of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
Maris Loeffler, MA, Marriage and Family Therapist and member of the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Cognitive Enhancement pillar, reflects:
“Passive screen time is like eating sugar but for your brain. It ‘tastes’ good, and you want it now, but you’re not actually feeding yourself. You’re not giving your brain any nutrition.”
She is particularly cautious about morning phone use. "When you hold an object close to your face, your brain registers it as a threat. You wouldn't want to wake up and come face to face with a bear every morning — and on a physiological level, that is precisely what you are doing."
The danger, she notes, lies in repetition. "If you scrolled on your phone in bed for an hour just one morning, the negative impacts would be minimal. But when it becomes a habit — day after day, month after month — this behavior can begin to take a real toll."
While it may be tempting to reach for our phones as soon as we wake up, it is equally important to consider what we can do instead. Simple activities such as meditation, preparing a healthy breakfast, yoga, gardening, coffee with your spouse or completing small household tasks can provide a calm and intentional start to the day.
In many ways, puttering has even been described as a form of “productive procrastination.” It encourages us to slow down, be present in the moment, and approach the day with greater intention and awareness.
Taking time to engage with our surroundings, our families, and ourselves can be one of the simplest ways to fall back into our natural rhythm — and set a positive tone for the day ahead..
While a leisurely morning hour remains a privilege not afforded to all, even a few intentional minutes of stillness before the day's demands set in can help us return to ourselves, and as the day snowballs, we move through it in sync rather than in struggle.
