The Natural Morning Water Routine for Digestive Health

Digestive discomfort increases during the holidays because of the amount and richness of the foods we are consuming. This can aggravate already existing digestive problems or introduce new ones that spoil the holiday fun and influence our overall health. Combined with our normal diet high in processed ingredients, it is the perfect setting for creating a digestive system that is under constant emotional and physical stress.

Emotional and physical stress of the digestive system?

Physical and Emotional Stress of the Digestive System

Yes! Many people recognize the physical problems such as constipation, colitis, diverticulitis, ulcers, indigestion, food sensitivities and more. It can make eating challenging and create undesirable limitations in our diet for nutrients. These types of problems create a weakened digestive system is the number one risk factor for immune related problems including repeated infections and illness and autoimmune disorders.

Emotionally there are impacts as well. Your digestive system is where we often feel our feelings. Butterflies in the stomach are a classic example. Your digestive system is a sensory system where feelings are physically experienced and held. Most people are not equipped to process feelings in a healthy way and we carry these in our body. The are expressed as pain, inflammation, illness and even disease. Many of the digestive system problems are the result of emotional imbalances the body has been unable process and release.

Your Digestive Chi

When you digestive system is experiencing problems, this creates other problems around the body. With chronic stress, obesity, emotional and mental complications atop a diet filled with preservatives, chemicals and ultra processed ingredients this further challenges the function of the digestive system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this equates to lowering our digestive chi which in turn lowers our overall chi given that the digestive system is integrated with all the other body functions to survive.

The holidays are not necessarily the best time to start a new diet to improve these situations, but it is an ideal time to recognize what is occurring and put into place support to help. Long term we do want to address the root causes of these problems to restore the chi necessary to support what we need to feel our best every day. Working with a holistic health practitioner can help when you are ready.

Types of Chi/Qi

Drinking Cool Water Upon Arising

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to contribute significantly to the process of cleansing and repairing the gastrointestinal tract is the daily drinking of 3 cups of cool, pure water on an empty stomach each morning upon arising.

Cool does not mean cold water. This means no ice or overly chilled water. Cold water stresses the body and stops important digestive processes from activating.

We want to drink these 3 cups of water (24 ounces) in a moderate pace over the course of 5 to 10 minutes to gradually awaken and activate the digestive system.

What Drinking Water First in the Does

Stomach Cleansing

Drinking cool water first thing in the morning stimulates the nerves within the stomach where it can then clean the area of any lingering food residues that can be present. This is helpful to prevent gastrointestinal heartburn, including GERD related symptoms and allow the stomach to be prepared for eating that day.

Skin Improvements

The cool water also brings fresh clean blood to the area which dilates pores promoting clearer skin.

Morning Constitution

Cool pure water taken on an empty stomach creates a mild laxative effect. The water is able to help the colon activities to stimulate movement. This is a great way to help manage chronic constipation and indigestion problems.

Even if constipation is not your situation, the morning water routine helps with stimulating and toning muscles, nerves and blood vessels of the entire digestive tract helping protect it and keep it in good running health.

Emotional and Mental Clarity and Balance

The beautiful thing about water is its ability to cleanse. This is not only true for our physical being but our emotional, mental and spiritual needs as well. When we use water in this way we are clearing our pathways between gut and brain to support clearer thought, calmer responses, and spiritual connections for guidance and support.

Water in the morning is a great start to the day

Tips for Using the Morning Water Routine

• Keeping a glass of water on your nightstand

• Drink water before you reach for that morning coffee

• Create a ritual of drinking water and praying or meditating in the morning

• Start small and build up to the 24 ounce (3 cups)

• Use flavor. Lemon, lime, cucumber are all tasty add-ins to help drinking water first thing in the morning

• Drink morning water on an empty stomach and avoid having your first meal until about an hour or more afterwards

Morning Water is a Protocol for Health

It can take a great deal of work and time to improve health habits. Starting with simple practices, such as drinking water first thing in the morning, offers us an easy path forward. Water first thing in the day helps reset the digestive system which can reduce discomforts and offer healing. This practice has incredible benefits for our digestive system and all the other systems it interacts with, including our immune system.

Improving our health one small step at a time is how we heal, support our needs and reach our health goals.

Work with us to improve your health naturally! Book your virtual or in-person session at www.dragonspitapothecary.com

Dragonspit Apothecary