5 Ways to Create a Healthy Daily Routine

​Our lives are hectic and busy. I know, but this week I encourage you to take a few minutes to examine your daily routine and consider removing activities and events that are adding unreasonable stress to your life and add some simple items to your routine that can reduce stress and increase vitality. Spring especially is a great time for making diet and lifestyle changes. The two actually go hand in hand. The state of our mental, spiritual and emotional health all contributes to our body’s ability to properly digest and assimilate the nutrients from the food we eat. Here are five simple steps to improving your overall health and life experience. One small change can make a world of difference. (Tip #5 is my personal favorite - although I don't always succeed at it)

1. Wake up with the Sun!
Provided that you are not up with a child or baby all night, try to go to sleep early enough to awaken without an alarm. I can’t overstate the importance of SLEEP! So many amazing things happen when we are properly resting. Now that spring is here this is easier to do! Try to arise at least 1 hour before you must leave home. Give yourself a few minutes to sit quietly and pray/meditate and visualize the plans you have for the day ahead.

2. Upcoming Rising - Drink 2 cups of water
One may have half of a fresh lemon squeezed into it to help with morning purification. This helps to hydrate your body after a long duration (sleep).

3. Eat & Drink Separately
General rule of digestion is to keep your liquid intake to a minimum during meals. Drinking too much liquid dilutes your gastric juices and hinders the acidity in your stomach needed to digest your food properly. Drink can be consumed up to 30 min prior to your meal and then wait until 60 minutes afterwards before enjoying that mid-morning or afternoon herbal tea.

4. Eat… then Rest
It is best to follow a good meal with a relaxation period or mild activity. A short walk after any meal can aid digestion and assimilation. This may be especially good after lunch if you work in an office all day and need some added fresh air to awaken your brain for the second half of your day.

5. UNDER Schedule your Evenings
The evening brings relaxation through reading, visiting, listening to music or romancing, depending on your wishes. The evening is a good time to nourish yourself in other ways besides eating food! In our world of “screens” it is easy to be in “work-mode” long into the evening with emails and texts coming in at all times of the day. Set a time to put is down and away and don’t schedule every night of the week with added activity. Leave room for creativity!

From my house to yours - Have a very Joy Filled Week!
​~ Jennifer
 

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