1. Conscious Breathing: When you stop and do slow conscious breathing, you take in much more oxygen which helps the cells in your body work more efficiently. Most of our breathing is too shallow and we lose the benefits of getting a good dose of oxygen.
Take longer to breathe out and you will take more oxygen in on the next breath. Here’s how you do it: Sit quietly and breathe in slowly for a count of seven, hold for a count of seven and then with the tip of your tongue resting on the inside of your top front teeth, breathe out for a much slower count of seven. Do this seven times at least once a day at first. It will bring you peace, balance and harmony.
For other breathing techniques, go here and here. Read how breathing is helping children at The Art of Living Foundation.
2. Meditation:
Sit or lie quietly for atleast 5-20 minutes and pay close attention to the thoughts that pass through your mind. Bring your attention to your breath and when you notice a new thought, let it pass by without judgment. This practice will bring clarity and order to your life. When I miss this meditation, my day is filled with chaos.
Squeeze half a lemon in a glass of warm water and drink when you wake up in in the morning. It will help clear the mucous
from your body.
4. Jump: on a rebounder or trampoline if you have one. If you have neither, move your body in a similar fashion as if you were on a rebounder, bouncing on the balls of your feet and moving your shoulders up and down. This movement stimulates the lymph system after a night's sleep.
5. Early Morning Walk
Take any opportunity to get this walk before you start your day.
Take the dog for a walk, take the neighbor’s dog, Even walking to the subway counts. Early morning outdoor light keeps your hormones in sync with the circadian rhythm of your body.
6. Graze:
Eat small meals throughout the day. It’s better to eat small portions and you won’t overload your digestive system. Eat breakfast. How many times have you heard that one? Sometimes we are not that hungry in the morning and we assume we can burn a few extra calories by skipping a meal. The opposite is true. Your body goes into starvation mode, your set point lowers and you burn less calories and make it up at the absolute worst time of day..nightime. Bad choice because your body is burning calories at a much slower rate.
7. Sleep:
how much and when: Go to sleep as close to sunset as possible and wake seven to eight hours later without an alarm clock. Hormones work more efficiently on this schedule. A 10 minute nap is helpful but not longer or you will feel groggy when you wake.
Did you ever take notice when you don’t get enough sleep? Your eating is out of control, you don’t think clearly and the circadian rhythm of your body is not balanced which can lead to many uncomfortable bodily symptoms.
So one by one, make each tip a habit. It only takes 21 days to feel like you must do this new habit daily. It will definitely add to the quality of your life. It does mine!
