When it comes to health there is not a one size fits all approach. Every person and every body itself is different so what works for some may not work for others and that’s ok. There are, however, ways that you can be proactive in your health and healing journey. There are treatments, tools, practices, and modalities that you can incorporate into your life for you to achieve or maintain optimal health.
Chiropractic care is one of those things. Getting adjusted regularly is a fantastic way to make sure your body is functioning properly and that you are maintaining a healthy spine.
Now, we are big advocates for seeing your chiropractor(s) regularly but keep in mind, there are also a variety of ways you can aid in your health on your own every single day.
Create A Morning Routine
One of those ways is by creating a good morning routine for yourself. Even if you’re not necessarily a morning person, setting up a routine for yourself when you wake up can make a huge difference in your day. Creating a morning routine not only sets the tone for your day but also creates a ritual for yourself that can help impact your mood, stress levels, and productivity, which is a huge component in achieving overall health long term.
According to BrainMD, the science-backed benefits of a morning routine include:
- Foster career success and better job performance
- Lower stress levels
- Establish stability and groundedness
- Enhance feelings of calm
- Promote healthy habits
- Support positive mood
- Boost cognitive functioning and mental performance
- Increase productivity
- Encourage direction and focus
- Maximize energy levels
- Instill discipline
They go on to say that those who don’t follow a morning routine also feel:
- Frazzled thoughts
- Higher levels of stress
- Poor sleep
- Feelings of overwhelm
- Ineffective use of time
- Restlessness
- Procrastination
Now you may be thinking, “well that sounds great but I have no idea where to begin when it comes to setting up a routine for myself,” or, “that sounds great but I don’t have the time for that.” We hear you! But trust us, a morning routine doesn’t have to be hard, in fact, it could even turn into your favorite part of the day.
Here are some practices that you can do to create a powerful morning routine that will benefit your overall health and wellbeing:
Wake Up With Gratitude
One of the best ways to start your day is to make note of what you are thankful for. This can be the big things such as your spouse and kids or something as simple as a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. Writing down a few things that you are grateful for each day allows you to feel into that gratitude and it can help put things into perspective for any challenges or obstacles you may face throughout the day.
Move your body
Regular exercise and physical activity are imperative for optimal health. It can help “control your weight, manage blood sugar and insulin resistance, improve mental health and mood, strengthens your bones and muscles, improves sleep and can help reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.” By incorporating movement into your morning routine, not only are you setting yourself up for success for the day, but you also boost those benefits from the get-go. Do whatever movement works for you in the morning. It can be a HIIT workout to get your heart rate up, a simple walk, or maybe it’s yoga or Pilates for a mind-body connection. Whatever feels good for you and that you’ll look forward to each morning to get your day started, do that.
Drink Hot Water With Lemon
Hot water with lemon right after you wake up and before your coffee is a great way to help you stay hydrated while also helping your digestion. A cup of hot water with lemon is full of powerful nutrients and fiber that helps to give your immune system a boost, helps to reduce inflammation, and helps to flush out your system. This is a feel-good way to get your day started.
Journal
Journaling or free writing in the morning is a powerful way to start your day. By getting your thoughts down on paper, no matter what they are, helps to remove them from your mind which allows you to free up space for whatever the day may bring. Write it all down. How you’re feeling, what you’re experiencing, what you have to do for the day, what’s bothering you, or what you might be worried about it. Write it, release it and leave it on those pages.
Make Your Bed
This simple gesture that many of us just don’t do can actually make a big impact on your day. According to William H. McRaven, a retired Navy four-star admiral, who said this in his commencement speech at the University of Texas, Austin:
“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”
Remember, how you spend your morning is what can set the tone for the rest of your day. As you start to incorporate some new habits and routines (however they may look for you) keep in mind that simple is always better. No need to overwhelm yourself with this ritual and routine but instead look at it as a simple way to hence and maintain your overall physical and mental health.
SOURCES:
https://brainmd.com/blog/morning-rituals-that-will-benefit-your-health/
https://medlineplus.gov/benefitsofexercise.html
https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/the-surprising-benefits-of-hot-water-and-lemon/
https://youtu.be/3sK3wJAxGfs