Morning habits have a huge impact on our entire day. Think about it, what do you do right after you wake up? Do you reach for your phone and check the news, or do you think about coffee or a short body warm-up? How does this affect your mood and energy throughout the day? How we start our day has a long-term impact on us, so today we’ll talk about healthy morning habits that will give you energy for hours.
Morning habits – how to start the day right?
How not to get out of bed with your left foot? The answer is simple – you need to develop healthy habits in the morning. This will certainly require a strong will at first, but you will see that by using at least one of our tips, you will improve the comfort of your life. If you develop new habits, you won’t want to go back to your previous ways of waking up – such as reaching for your cell phone as your first instinct. The morning should be a time for you, a leisurely and peaceful awakening focusing on your mind and body. Remember that in a healthy body, a healthy spirit. It’s up to you whether you choose to exercise in the morning or decide to replace coffee with adaptogens. See what morning habits you should incorporate into your daily routine!
Adaptogens – what are they and what effect do they have on us?
Are you committed to starting your day in a healthy way and staying unshaken during the challenges of everyday life? Put into your morning schedule the consumption of adaptogens. Adaptogens, we call plants that have unique healing properties. Their uniqueness, of course, does not indicate miraculous and magical healing, but holistic and beneficial effects on both the human body and mind. Adaptogens are non-toxic plants, meaning they are non-addictive and free of negative side effects. They act on the body at the cellular level, having a therapeutic effect on the entire body, not just certain areas of it. Adaptogens are referred to as naturally intelligent plants, because they themselves can recognize what is missing (or what is too much) in the body and reduce imbalances. Thus, they restore the natural physiological balance, make the whole body more resilient, even in stressful situations without depriving it of vitality and energy.
Ashwagandha – properties and uses
Ashwagandha is the most popular adaptogen, and has been known since ancient times as the most powerful medicinal plant. What are its properties?
- Supports the functioning of the mind by, among other things: improving intellectual abilities.
- Supports the immune system.
- Helps treat immune diseases like Hashimoto’s and chronic thyroiditis.
- Reduces body fat and stimulates the growth of muscle mass.
- Supports hormonal balance in women.
- Alleviates symptoms of depression.
- Reduces stress.
- Optimizes cortisol levels in the body.
- Stabilizes blood sugar levels.
- Adds vitality and energy.
- Supports the treatment of cancer.
Ashwagandha can be used in capsule, powder and liquid form.
Adaptogens in scientific research
The properties of adaptogens were used thousands of years ago in the Far East, but the plants were also known among Siberian peoples, some African tribes and in North and South America. In the West, they appeared in 1943, when the Council of People’s Commissars began researching adaptogens for soldiers, athletes and laborers. The beneficial effects of adaptogens on the human body, are now confirmed by thousands of independent studies, and scientists are discovering more of their remarkable healing properties. In many countries, these unique plants, are no longer part of alternative medicine, but complement drug therapy. They are also used by athletes, which supports their bodies during physical exertion and has a high impact on their success. It is not only athletes who recommend the use of adaptogen supplementation. On the Internet, both on blogs and in topical forums, we can read accounts of people who use adaptogens in their daily diet.
Start your day with meditation
Adaptogens are not the only way to have a healthy morning. Before you go about your daily tasks, give yourself time to stop after waking up. Morning meditation, will allow you to quiet your mind, strain your attentiveness and calmly adjust your body for the next steps. If you’re worried that your morning meditation will turn into a short nap, perform it in a sitting position focusing on your breathing. You can use relaxation music or freely available on the Internet, guided meditations. Meditation is a great way to start the day peacefully.
Exercises for a good start
A short warm-up before heading out into the world is a good idea for a healthy start. And although at first we may not want to do exercise before work or other activities, after a short time you will see how physical activity refreshes the body as well as the mind. You can do simple stretching exercises, yoga, intuitive dancing or running. You’re sure to find something for you, and in time you won’t be able to imagine a day without morning exercise.
Morning habits – feel the light
Nothing wakes you up like natural light – that is, the sun, which provides us with vitamin D. Start your day by going to the balcony, terrace, garden or at least stand by the window and feel the warmth of the morning sun rays on your skin. It’s a good idea to do this practice before exercising or meditating-meditation with the sun is also advisable. Combining these elements of morning practice, will give you strength for the whole day.
A cold shower will effectively wake you up
Many people flinch at the thought of a cold shower, but it can effectively wake us up and energize us. At the same time, it affects the immunity of the body and improves the ability of our mind. After all, this is one of the elements of the practice of the famous ice man Wim Hof. You will see that a short shower in the morning will be much more effective for you than drinking a cup of coffee.
You can use all your morning habits together. Adaptogens, yoga, meditation and a cold shower will definitely give you vitality for the day. Of course, this requires setting your alarm clock a little earlier, but you’ll find that practicing mindful mornings is worth it. Change your morning habits and enjoy each day.