Starting Your Day Right

Hike up your happiness meter with this morning protocol

1. Wake up with natural sunlight
Natural light signals to your biological clock that it's time to wake up. It transitions your body from sleep mode to active mode by increasing your adrenaline levels and decreasing your melatonin levels. You arise more alert and refreshed if you rely on your internal body clock for your wake up call. An alarm clock awakens you in an annoyed mood if it catches you during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. A sleep-wake cycle that is in harmony with your natural body clock makes you feel happier and livelier every day.

2. Condition your body motors to run smoothly
Simple stretching will awaken your muscles by enhancing blood flow and by supplying ample oxygen. Warming your muscles in the morning prepares them for more strenuous activity throughout the day. Doing simple stretches and twists also helps you maintain flexibility.

3. Stimulate blood circulation by dry skin brushing
Skin brushing opens your pores, stimulates your sweat glands, and increases blood circulation to underlying tissues and organs. It also stimulates the release of waste material by supporting the your lymphatic system's detoxification process. Dry skin brushing is a very good early morning detox therapy.

4. Have a relaxed morning bath
Sit on a chair and stay under the shower for five minutes before bathing. The warm water beating on your back will give you an energizing massage.

5. Feed your mind with motivation
Give yourself some food for thought. Read a motivational quote or listen to an audio book about success and happiness principles. You should recite your goals aloud to get your subconscious in tune with your life's purpose. Celebrate your uniqueness, face the mirror, and declare your morning mantra. Morning self-talk will build your mental framework to supreme security, contentment, and resilience. You'll feel good about yourself and you will be able to manage challenges better.

6. Listen to music
While getting dressed or having your breakfast, relax your mind by listening to music. Music is a great way to energize your brain waves for the day ahead.

7. Think on paper
A good plan ensures a more productive and less stressful day. A to-do list done in the morning is quintessential. Your mind is alert and clear during this time of the day. When you have all your plans on paper, you can focus on them one by one throughout the day. William Blake said it best, "Think in the morning, act in the noon, read in the evening, sleep at night."

8. Fuel up with a "feel-good" breakfast
Don't ever skip the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast refuels your body and mind with the energy you need to last until noon. Aim for a tryptophan-rich breakfast. Trytophan stimulates the production of serotonin, the brain's natural feel-good chemical. This will help you set a light mood for the day. Good sources of trytophan include tuna, salmon, spinach, asparagus, cabbage, and pumpkin seeds.

9. Drink at least eight ounces of water when you wake up.
You need to drink liquids every morning after a whole night of fasting. This will help you replenish your energy stores.

10. Have a quick morning cuddle or chat with your dearies.
Boost your oxytocin (love hormone) in the morning by cuddling with your loved ones. Cultivating a loving relationship is the best way to facilitate the natural release of this hormone. Oxytocin counteracts stress, boosts your immune function, and sharpens your ability to recover from illnesses.

To learn more about the chemistry of happiness, visit cosmic-joy.com.




India Herbs is a holistic health care provider with offices in the USA, Singapore, and India. We offer lifestyle guidance in conjunction with extracts-only herbal supplements based on Ayurveda - a 5,000 year old traditional medicine system used by over 900 million people worldwide! Visit india-herbs.com for more information about "Ancient Remedies for Modern Times".