3 Healthy Habits To Add To Your Morning Routine

3 Healthy Habits To Add To Your Morning Routine

Oil pulling

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that has been around for ages. The practice of oil pulling involves swishing healthy oil around the mouth to improve health. Oil pulling reportedly has many health benefits including:

• Detoxifies the body. Our mouths are full of bacteria and toxins especially first thing in the morning. Ingesting those bacteria and toxins in our bodies leads to damage and disease. The oil being swished around the mouth sticks to the bacteria and toxins and removes it from the mouth when it is spit out.
• Removes plaque. A build up of bacteria in our mouth causes a sticky buildup on our teeth called plaque. This build up of plaque leads to cavities, gum disease and other dental problems. The process of oil pulling helps to remove and reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque.
• Whitens teeth. Swishing the oil around your mouth removes plaque and build up on teeth helping to whiten them. Coconut oil seems to be most effective for whitening.
• Healthier gums. The reduction in harmful bacteria helps support gum health and reduce bleeding.
• Freshens breath. Bad breath or Halitosis results from a buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Oil pulling helps remove this bacteria, leaving you with fresh clean breath.
• Improves skin. The removal of unhealthy toxins and bacteria helps support clear, healthy skin.

How to Oil pull:

• Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil into the mouth.The oil traditionally used for oil pulling is organic sesame oil but organic coconut oil can be used as well. Whichever oil you choose, place 1-2 teaspoons in the mouth. Swish for 20 minutes. Timing is key, according to Dr. Bruce Fife, author of Oil Pulling Therapy, as this is long enough to break through plaque and bacteria but not long enough that the body starts re-absorbing the toxins and bacteria. The oil will get thicker and milky as it mixed with saliva during this time and it should be creamy-white when spit out. It will also double in volume during this time due to saliva. Spit oil into the trash can.  Don’t spit into the sink! Do not swallow the oil as it is full of bacteria and toxins that are no longer in your mouth.
• Rinse well with warm water.
• Brush well.

Drink Warm Lemon Water

After oil pulling I drink a large glass of warm lemon water. I fill up a mug with warm water and squeeze ½ of a large organic lemon into it. Here are some benefits to this morning habit:

• Helps Digestion. The warm lemon water helps to flush the digestive system and rehydrate and awaken the organs. After sleeping for 8 hours each night without any hydration your body is in need of water when you wake up. Lemon juice helps support stomach acid as well. The rehydration can result in more energy and improved digestion throughout the day.
• Flushes the body. The liver is very active during sleep, which is the body’s time to restore and regenerate. Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning can stimulate bile production and help make sure the lymph system and body are functioning properly.
• Immune system boost. Lemons contain Vitamin C and Potassium. By drinking lemon water first thing in the morning you give your body a chance to absorb these more effectively which can support the immune system. Vitamin C is also great for supporting the adrenals and the body’s reaction to stress.
• Healthier skin. By flushing the body and supporting digestion lemon water can support clearer, healthier skin. Plus the Vitamin C, from the lemon juice, is needed for collagen production for smooth, healthy skin.
• Weight loss. Drinking enough water, especially lemon water first thing in the morning, can help increase metabolism. Adding this habit and to a healthy routine will help support a healthy weight.

Get moving

In addition to the benefits of getting exercise it can help energize you and wake you up. Doing this in the morning gets our blood circulating and wakes up our muscles. Adding this habit into your morning routine also starts your day off on a positive healthy note. It doesn’t have to be an hour long intense workout, though you certainly could do that if you want, something quick works too.

A few things you can try are:

• Take a 15 minute walk. Alone or with the dog. Focus on breathing and enjoying the fresh air.
• Put on some fun, energizing music and dance. Move, wiggle, jump, sing, whatever you want. This not only gets your heart pumping but is mood boosting.
• When we are asleep we aren’t moving our bodies and we can wake up stiff. Taking a few minutes to stretch out warms up our muscles and can help reduce morning stiffness. Plus it feels so good!

There are a lot of healthy things we can do that help set us up for a healthy day. These are just a few with proven benefits that are not time consuming and I have found to make a big difference in my health. I hope you try them, and if you do message me and let me know how they have worked for you!