The way we start our day can powerfully affect our well-being and provide nourishment to our overall health.
What does it mean to “nourish” ourselves?
Oxford Languages defines nourish as “provide with the food or other substances necessary for, health and good condition.”
It’s important to nourish our minds and bodies using healthy and sustainable habits in order to create resilient health.
Read this article to learn about the benefits of a nutrient-dense gut-healthy diet.
What do sustainable habits look like?
To be sustainable, they shouldn’t be especially tough to do or take a lot of time each day. They should align with your goals and offer tangible benefits for your health. Let’s explore some simple habits you can incorporate into your morning routine to nourish your mind and body, setting the foundation for a healthy day.
Hydrate and support digestion
After waking, start your day with a glass of warm water infused with fresh lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. Lemon juice helps support the production of stomach acid, enhancing digestion. Unrefined sea salt provides essential electrolytes that improve water absorption in the body, supporting optimal hydration.1
Read this article to learn about the benefits of water and the signs of not getting enough.
Renew your mind
Prayer, journaling and gratitude are powerful practices that can transform your thoughts as you go through the day. Nourishing your mind is just as important as nourishing your body.
Fuel your body with a balanced breakfast
Eating a plate that is balanced with whole-food carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plenty of protein within the first hour of waking. A balanced plate will help keep you off the blood sugar rollercoaster, and provide sustained energy and focus throughout the morning.
Go phone-free your first hour
Start your day without notifications and emails pinging in the background. Wait to turn on your cell phone for an hour after you wake up. Research has found that Americans check their cell phones an average of 144 times per day. Excessive cell phone use has been linked to negative effects on physical and mental well-being.
Soak up some sun
Expose yourself to sunlight in the morning hours to support your circadian rhythm and enhance your sleep quality at night. Dr. Andrew Huberman recommends spending 5 to 10 minutes outdoors on a sunny day or 15 to 20 minutes on overcast days, as this can provide significant benefits.
Get some movement
Find an activity you enjoy. Exercise is a lot more sustainable when we can find something we enjoy. Even light exercise can provide stress relief and decrease gut troubles like constipation. Spending time outdoors in activity can deliver further benefits, such as providing a calming effect, increased activity levels with less perceived exertion, increased mental focus, self-esteem and perceived health.
Recap
Establishing a morning routine can significantly impact our overall well-being by providing us with nourishing practices to kickstart the day. By incorporating small habits that promote growth, health, and good condition, we can experience profound positive effects on our physical and mental health.
References
- Nutritional Therapy Association. Hydration-Introduction. [PDF file]. 2020. P 9.
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