7 Healthy Morning Habits to Kick Start Your Day
Nature always follows a rhythm. The sun rises and sets around the same time everyday, the sunflower will always open up in the morning and fades at night, the bat will sleep through the day and wake up with the moon. In it is these natural rhythms that keep each species of animal and plant working at its optimum.
Any diversion from the rhythm causes an imbalance or disease. this is the case with human beings to. Unfortunately, given our long working hours, erratic schedule and lack of movement we eventually walk down the path of disease and discomfort.
The solution then a simple-follow a rhythm and stick to it. Sadly, most of us often think the solution to help us get healthier needs to be both complex and expensive. In my little effort to debunk this myth, I offer you 7 simple morning rituals guaranteed to put your health back on track.
1. Rise and Shine
No matter what time you go to bed, the ancient ayurvedic texts recommend that we wake up between 3 and 6 a.m. This is because 6 to 10 a.m. constitutes the Kapha time or a time of
sluggishness. Thus, if we don't get up before sunrise and wake up the body, we enter into Kapha state which is characterized by dullness and lethargy, making it even harder to get out of bed.
2. Drink up
It is believed that the first item you ingest sets the mood for the remainder of the day. So, as soon as you wake up drink a glass of warm water. The reason water is recommended is that it will kick start the digestive and the elimination process.
Note: if you are looking to lose weight mix a tea spoon of honey and a few drops of lemon into your warm water.
3. Splish Splash
It is recommended that you wash your face with cool water as soon as you wake up-ideally splashing it several times.this will not only wash the sleep away, but also cool down the body, rehydrate the body and prepared for the day to come.
4. Tongue in cheek
Brush your teeth within natural bristle brush and then check the tongue. if the tongue has a thick coating of ama or white sediment, it means your dinner from yesterday is still being processed. Make a mental not to eat light and scrap the sediment away with copper tongue cleaner.
5. Oil it up
Oil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic technique that is done on an empty stomach. simply properties Pune oil (coconut or sesame) into your mouth and swish the oil around the mouth for at least 3 minutes. Don't swallow, as you are pulling toxins out of the body and mouth so you don't want to put this back into the body.
Note: this activates the prefrontal lobe of the brain and also quotes the gums and teeth with thin layer of protective oil.
6. Move your body
Making time for movement is absolutely critical in the morning. It supports natural detoxification, circulation and loosens and awakens the body and the joints. yoga is a sister science of Ayurveda and a great things to practis first thing in the morning.
7. Shower it up
Before you hit the shower, Ayurveda recommends massaging the face and body with oil. this calms the nervous system, lubricates and rejuvenates the tissues, and promotes healthy circulation throughout the body. It is no coincidence that Sanskrit word for oil Sneha means love.
Personally I do not use face wash or moisturizer and maintain the youth of my skin by massaging my face with coconut oil and then using a hot towel to wipe off the excess. If we can maintain these simple but effective pointers, our bodies will always be at their best. Ayurveda looks at the body as a temple and these are simple rituals to keep your inner sanctum clean, healthy and light.