So you’re STILL awake; what’s next?

In the last blog post, we looked at six morning practices that can lead to a healthier, happier life.  So… I presume you’re still awake; what’s next?  Here are the other six of my Delightful Dozen morning practices that I promised to share.

Weigh in

I’d love for everyone to weigh daily, but most people either don’t want to (scared of what they’ll see!) or won’t remember. Can I encourage you to weigh in at least once a week? Weighing regularly is strong factor in consistently losing weight and keeping it off.  Use a scale that gives you more than just your weight. I use the Balance Body Composition Scale, which also gives you body fat, body mass, muscle mass, water weight, and bone density readings.   

Check pH levels

Your potential of hydrogen (pH) level measures the acidity or alkalinity in your body on a continuum from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline) and is an important indicator of  wellness or disease.  The goal is to maintain a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5.  The easiest way to measure your pH level is to place a pH strip in your first urine stream in the morning and compare the color of the strip after urination with the color chart in the pH strip pack.  Most drugstores carry the strips for a minimal price.

Neti pot

Particularly for people who suffer from allergies and upper respiratory tract issues, a neti pot is a simple, natural, and effective tool to bring well-needed relief.  It may seem strange to “irrigate your nose” the first few times around, but once you get the hang of it, it’s guaranteed to lessen your allergy and sinus misery.  You mix a small amount of salt in purified warm water in the pot, pour it through one nostril and allow it to flow out of the other.  That’s all!

Air your bed

Some scientists think that not making your bed may keep you healthier.  Trust me, I’m a neatnik, so not making my bed doesn’t excite me in the least.  But try leaving your bed unmade… at least for a bit after you get out of it.  Why?  An unmade bed is less appealing to house dust mites, which thrive in the warm, moist ambiance we create for them while we sleep.  The mites are more likely to die off when you vacate your bed and leave it uncovered to allow moisture in the sheets to evaporate.  I know, TMI.  LOL

Exercise

I’m an unrepentant night owl, but I now embrace morning workouts because I see the benefits.  You don’t even need a long morning exercise routine; I keep mine to 15-20 minutes. If you can work out at home, you save time (and gas, if you have to drive to the gym).   A morning workout jump-starts your metabolism for the day.  A recent study noted that you can burn up to 20 percent more body fat by exercising in the morning before your first meal.  Your morning routine can also improve your physical and mental energy, ensure better sleep, and create a level of consistency in the morning that you carry throughout the entire day.  

Breakfast

Conventional wisdom states that we should eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess, and dinner like a pauper.  So, yes to breakfast!  It’s been proven that eating breakfast helps with weight loss, and with sufficient protein and complex carbohydrates in your breakfast, you ensure that you’re taking in good brain food, you increase your energy and stabilize your blood sugar, and create satiety until lunch.  You run the risk of poor concentration, low blood sugar, irritability, and intense cravings mid-morning if you skip breakfast.

Which of these morning practices is already part of your routine? Which do you plan to incorporate?