The quality of your day is determined by your actions in the first hour after waking up. I would like to share 5 simple things that you should do in the morning to stay fit, energetic, and productive throughout the day. Let’s get started without any delay
First, let’s talk about the natural stretch. Have you noticed how you feel the urge to stretch when you wake up in the morning? This natural act, known as “angdaayi,” has numerous benefits. It lubricates your joints, increasing their flexibility. While we sleep, our body stays in one position for a long time, reducing heart function and obstructing blood circulation in certain areas. Stretching in the morning improves blood circulation, providing more nutrients to every part of your body. This boosts energy levels and activates your brain. Just like how stretching after sitting for a long time at the office instantly rejuvenates you, a morning stretch reduces the risk of heart stroke. You can stretch in any way you like, whether it’s while still in bed, sitting, or standing. This is similar to markatasana, a yogic asana that relieves back pain. Spending just a minute on a full-body stretch after getting out of bed will give you the benefits of a mini workout.
Next, let’s talk about the importance of drinking water in the morning. After 6–8 hours of sleep, your body is dehydrated, which can be observed from the color and acidity of your first urine in the morning. Your brain, skin, and entire body require water at this time. Instead of reaching for tea or coffee, which can dry out your skin and create an acidic environment leading to gastric issues, drinking water kickstarts your metabolism. This higher metabolism helps your body break down stored fat. Scientific studies have also shown that drinking water in the morning improves bowel movement, resulting in a natural glow to your skin, healthier hair, and reduced belly fat. You can choose to drink hot water, warm water, or room temperature water according to your preference. Just drink plain water without adding anything to it. Drink as much as you can, whether it’s 1, 2, 3, or 4 glasses. By making this one habit, you can prevent numerous diseases in the future.
Now, let’s move on to washing your eyes. Our eyes require extra attention in today’s digital age, where dry eyes, eye strain, redness, itching, and poor vision are common issues. After freshening up, don’t forget to splash water on your eyes. Here’s a technique to make it more effective: fill your mouth with water. This will naturally cause your eyes to bulge out, allowing for better contact with the water and improved cleaning. Splash water on your eyes 15–20 times to enhance eyesight, cool your eyes, reduce redness caused by excessive screen time, lower the risk of infections, and improve sensitivity to light. In the morning, our eyes are most sensitive to light, so it’s best to avoid using phones or laptops during this time. Splashing water on your eyes will provide much-needed relief. Make it a part of your morning routine.
Let’s move on to oil pulling, a practice that I have personally benefited from in many ways. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that has now been supported by scientific research. When we swish oil in our mouth, harmful microorganisms are attracted to the oil and get removed when we spit it out. This reduces bacteria in the mouth, leading to fresher breath, prevention of mouth ulcers, removal of plaque, and healthier gums. Oil pulling also stretches your facial muscles, acting as a facial massage that prevents wrinkles and enhances your jawline. Some people have even reported a decrease in smoking urges due to oil pulling. You can use any cold-pressed oil, such as coconut oil, sesame seed oil, or mustard oil. Take one tablespoon of oil and swish it around your mouth for 10–20 minutes. You can multitask while oil pulling. Afterward, spit out the oil, brush your teeth, and clean your tongue as usual.
Lastly, let’s talk about the importance of your first meal in the morning. The first thing you eat or drink, excluding water, has a significant impact on your body. Your body is in a fasted state and ready to absorb nutrients. Ayurveda emphasizes the concept of the first meal, so choose it carefully. For general health, you can have a piece of fresh seasonal fruit. However, if you have specific health concerns, you can tailor your first meal accordingly. For example, if you have a liver problem or want to reduce body heat, drinking a glass of sugarcane juice as your first meal can help heal your liver. If you want to reduce body fat, try ashwagandha leaf juice. For thyroid issues, soaked coriander seed water can be beneficial. Weak bones can be addressed by consuming a pinch of choona mixed in curd. Chew on a few curry leaves to combat hair fall. If you need to boost brain power for upcoming exams, try brahma rasayana. Prioritize which health concern you want to address first and continue with that specific first meal for two months before switching to another. This way, you can tackle six different issues in one year. After your first meal, let it work for about 30 minutes before having your regular breakfast.
To summarize, as soon as you wake up, stretch your body in bed, sitting, or standing. This mini workout will invigorate you. Before brushing your teeth, drink water. Whether it’s hot, warm, or room temperature water is up to you. Aim to drink 2–4 glasses. After relieving your bowels, wash your eyes by splashing water while filling your mouth with water to enhance the cleansing effect. Then, practice oil pulling by swishing one tablespoon of cold-pressed oil in your mouth for 10–20 minutes. This will improve your oral health and give your face a natural glow. After oil pulling, brush your teeth and scrape your tongue. Utilize the concept of the first meal by choosing a specific food or drink to address your health concerns. After 30 minutes, you can have your regular breakfast. Which of these five practices did you find most practical and easy? Angdaayi, drinking water, washing the eyes, oil pulling, or the first meal? I look forward to your response in the comments. These practices will only take about 30 minutes of your time but will completely transform the tone and direction of your day.
