5 Things to Do Every Morning for Better Health
MEDITATE
If the first thing you do every morning is reach for your phone, or check your e-mail, you are not alone, but you probably need to rethink that. Try a morning meditation practice instead. Meditation can be helpful on so many levels. It has been proven to aid in digestion, lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and keep us more focused throughout the day. Meditation helps to relax the body by relaxing the mind and the best part is that it's absolutely free and anyone can do it!
When I meditate regularly, I see a huge difference in how I react to stressful situations. It helps to keeps me grounded and calm.
Quieting the mind isn't easy! If you have a hard time stopping your thoughts, try a mantra or download a meditation app like Headspace. A mantra is a word or phrase that has a special meaning to you. It could be something as simple as "all is well". Focusing on a word or phrase will help the thoughts to slip away.
The National Academy of Sciences Journal (PNSA) published a study in 2010 showing that - "After 11 hours of practice over 4 weeks, scans showed (the brain's) white matter grew greater amounts of connections and the myelin sheath that protects the brain and spinal cord began to grow as well." If you're interested in research about the link between meditation and Alzheimer's, read this great article in Prevention Magazine.
Image from The Art of Unity
TAKE A PROBIOTIC
Probiotics promote the good gut bacteria that create a healthy gut. A healthy gut is importand for digestion, nutrient absorption, stress reduction and healthy skin.
The bacteria that live in your gut keep harmful microorganisms (pathogens) in check, aid digestion and nutrient absorption, and contribute to immune function. ~ Harvard Health Publications
Try Kimberly Snyder's Beauty Detox SBO Probiotics. They are soil-based and don't have to be refrigerated.
DRINK HOT WATER WITH LEMON
Instead of drinking coffee first thing in the morning, try hot water with lemon. Lemon water flushes out toxins, is an excellent source of vitamin C, is beneficial for colon health and balances the pH levels in the body. In addition, it is a great source of citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. It dissolves uric acid which helps reduce pain and inflammation in joints and also helps replenish body salts after a strenuous workout! ~ from Food Matters
Image from Smart Cookie
DRINK A GREEN SMOOTHIE
Image from Make Your Best Self
Green smoothies that are made of of mostly greens are loaded with B vitamins and vitamin K and C. They are high in fiber, help to lower cholesterol and are high in calcium.
WRITE IN A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Writing in a gratitude journal helps you to focus your attention on the positive things in your life. It is impossible to be negative or angry when being grateful. Take a few minutes every morning to write down three things that you're grateful for in your life. On days when things aren't going so well, look back in your gratitude journal and remember that you have so much to be grateful for!
At first glance, these 5 habits may seem very time consuming, but with a little planning the night before for the smoothie, the whole routine could take less than 30 minutes. It might be worth getting up just a little earlier to create a routine that starts the day off right and improves your overall well being!
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