4 Ways to Calmly Kickstart Your Day
Starting your day right doesn’t have to be complicated.Tap into your circadian rhythm
A good night's rest is essential for our physical and mental health. When we get enough sleep, you’ve given your body and mind 7-9 hours it needs to rest and recover. Hormones melatonin and cortisol are responsible for helping you sleep and wake up on time, and their secretion are closely linked with light. As the sun goes down, melatonin production increases until about midnight then tapers off. Around 6am, cortisol levels spike, which gets you up and out of bed and ready to start the day. Encourage healthy melatonin production by avoiding bright artificial lights (looking at you, smartphone) after the sun goes down.
If you’re waking up with a stomach ache everyday, your cortisol levels could be out of balance. Keep reading!
2. Water and Tea
Starting your day with a glass of room temperature water and herbal tea helps rehydrate, boost alertness, flush toxins from the body, and calm excess cortisol.
I know, “drink water” is the oldest trick in the book, but it really works! Drinking water increases your red blood cell count and oxygen to the brain, and rehydrates your body after 8 hours of sleep.
Do you ever wake up burping, feeling nauseous, or with acid reflux for no apparent reason? This could be because of an inbalance of cortisol levels or compromised gut integrity. For someone experiencing chronic stress, inflammation, or gastric discomfort, mornings can be uncomfortable. By drinking herbal tea like Nourish you can help regulate that naturally occurring cortisol, ease any digestion discomfort it may bring, and start your morning with a cozy warm beverage packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
3. Eat Before Caffeine
Coffee and caffeine increase stomach acid production and cortisol levels. Ingesting it on an empty stomach can aggravate inflammation, mood, and dysregulate your energy levels for the day. Eating even a light breakfast creates a buffer for caffeine if you’re suffering from gastric inflammation or acid reflux, keeps your blood sugar levels steady, and ensures you’re getting the much needed nutrients to start your day.
4. Movement & Affirmations
Taking time for light movement and positive affirmations is essential for our physical, mental, and emotional health. Light movement such as stretching or walking can help to release tension, reduce stress, and improve circulation. It gives us an opportunity to focus on ourselves in the morning, instead of instantly getting sucked into the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Positive affirmations can promote a sense of self-worth and help us to stay focused on our goals. Positive affirmations are statements that we say out loud or in our minds that remind us of our worthiness, strengths, and capabilities. They can help us stay motivated when things get tough by providing reassurance that we are capable of achieving what we set out to do. Look in the mirror and encourage yourself the same way you would for a close friend.
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