- Incorporating small habits to start your day can give you more energy, focus, and optimism.
- Early exercise, such as gentle stretching and moving around, first thing in the morning gives your body time to wake up and get going.
- Oil pulling, or using an edible oil in your mouth for a mouthwash to kill oral bacteria, is another daily ritual you can add to your morning routine.
Morning rituals are one of the most effective ways of empowering your day since they help you charge yourself before it all starts. By simply starting small, over time, these small activities will add up, helping you tackle the challenges that may come your way in the best of health.
Here are 7 small habits that you can add to your morning routine, for better health and overall well-being.
1. Oil pulling
What better way to start your day than by flushing the harmful toxins from your body? Swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes is one of the best ways to promote oral health. Oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic practice, is believed to improve oral hygiene by killing bacteria in the mouth, and is also said to aid in treating 30 systemic diseases including migraines and asthma.
2. Stretch
Moving your body first thing in the morning eases back and neck pain from sleeping, lowers stress, and improves blood flow and circulation. Not only will it make you agile, stretching also boosts oxygen levels in the brain increasing mental focus and clarity.
3. Hydrate yourself
Drinking H2O first thing in the morning is one of the best things you can do to keep your system running at its best. You can drink it hot with some lemon to help with digestion and pH levels.
4. Meditate
Meditation does a lot for the body and soul. While you can meditate at any time of the day or night, meditating first thing in the morning, even for just 5 minutes, gives your mind a chance to wake up and prepare before diving into your to-do list. What’s more, it helps you start the day much more peacefully, helps you focus and gives you energy.
5. Turn down technology for 20 minutes
Don’t start your day by diving right into your tasks checking emails, texts, phone calls and your social media within a few minutes of waking up. Do away with these distractions by turning off your phone and other electronic devices, and devote some “me” time in the morning to help clear and calm your mind as much as possible, before facing the day.
6. Have some breakfast protein
The foods we put into our bodies can dictate how we feel all day long. Feed your body with foods that have few ingredients at the same include a few grams of protein. Processed foods packed with saturated fat and sugar makes you feel tired and sluggish, which often results in poorer decisions and less focus.
7. Get Moving
Moving around in the morning causes feelings of happiness because of the endorphins released from our bodies. Do whatever you love to do. Do whatever feels good on your body and gets you active. Even taking your dog for a walk or jogging around your neighborhood can greatly boost your mood.
According to research, walking two minutes an hour can extend your life. Try to set a doable goal such as “400 steps”. If you can’t reach that goal, walking up and down the stairs a few times should do the trick.
Setting your morning off on the best foot possible can help set the conditions for a more successful day. Just remember, the most important thing is, starting now is always better than tomorrow.
Via TODAY