I used to be the most horrible morning person, to the point where my oldest brother would avoid me in the morning cause I was so grumpy. And then I grew up. After moving abroad to Europe at the age of 18 and having to be up ready for work
by 8:00 a.m. it was time to make a change and since that change, I love mornings.
It is important to give yourself time in the morning – to wake up slowly and listen to your body and mind. Try not to rush breakfast, your bathroom visit or forget to kiss your dog goodbye.
Most people follow some sort of routine in the morning, and if it works for you excellent. I ask of you to try my helpful tips to maximize your morning to nourish your body, mind and spirit and create a positive energy to start your day.
1. Make that first thought a positive one
I read an article on Elephant Journal about how the first thought that comes across your mind in the morning sets your day. So spare one minute and tell yourself that it’s going to be a good day and you are thankful for this day. We are strongest in the morning – keep it that way.
2. Warm lemon water
So simple and so beneficial. I could list a dozen reasons why this decade long practice works wonders for the body. Let this be the first fluid that enters your body (following teeth grooming). Lemon water flushes out toxins that have built up in the body. Lemon is an excellent source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiences. Most importantly, having warm lemon water in the morning aids digestion and encourages the production of bile, a key factor in breaking down food throughout the day. Who knew lemons were so sweet.
3. Don’t rush your bathroom break
They say the most important meal of the day is breakfast, truth, but what you don’t hear often is the most important bowel movement of the day is the first. Giving yourself an extra 5-10 minutes to relax through this lovely process is extremely important! Do not rush! If you do not take a load off, your stool will have to wait for when you relax and can start to ferment and create toxins which are then absorbed by the mucus membrance and enter the bloodstream. Can we say no thank you? Take the time.
4. Eat breakfast!
Your awake, it’s morning time, time to get going. The same goes for your metabolism! If you skip this crucial meal, imagine how sluggish your GI tract becomes with no fuel = slow digestion and assimilation. Studies have proven over and over again that eating breakfast sparks your metabolism, giving you fuel to run the day, you become more alert and actually promote weight loss. Now – what you eat for breakfast is extremely important too. Having steel cut oats or quinoa with berries and raw-honey sprinkled with ground flax, hemp hearts and cinnamon is my go-to. Steel cut oats are slow-releasing carbs, giving you longer sustained energy and keep you more full for longer. Try a poached egg on toast with avocado, chia-seed pudding or a smoothie! Starting even with an apple works wonders.
5. Say ‘I love you’
Just say it, out loud. The most profound notion there is, love. Whisper it to your loved one, your dog, your fish, the breakfast you just ate, or yourself. We are all love. Regardless of what happened the night before, or what you may be going through, know you are loved and tell the one you love how much they mean to you.
Cheerful, calm, nutritious and grateful mornings are what it’s all about. We could all use a little more time to ourselves to appreciate this beautiful life we were given. Try these practices and see how they can change your day. Feel the full effects and embrace the serenity.
Wellness Wednesday Wisdom from Breathe in Life’s guide Meghan Trompetter
