Here's How I Wake Up

Do you often feel groggy and tired in the morning? Or do you just seem to have no more energy to take on those Monday blues.

Besides a lack of sleep, there’s a possibility that you may not be fuelling yourself up with the proper nutrients and vitamins you need. In this blog post, I’ll be talking about how I wake up and fuel myself in the morning for school and work.

From the moment I wake up, the first thing I do is drink a glass of water. After sleeping for 6 - 8 hours, our bodies become fairly dehydrated. When you’re dehydrated, your brain and body are unable to properly function and wake up. Considering up to 60% of the human body is made of water, it’s no doubt that your body needs water to properly function (USGS, 2018). According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, your lungs are approximately 83% water, and your kidneys are 79% water (2018). It is a vital nutrient to the life of every cell in your body as it acts as a building material (USGS, 2018). With this in mind, it emphasizes how important it is that you should give your body what it needs: water.

I know your instinct may be to grab a cup of coffee in the morning instead of water because you think the caffeine will wake you up better but it can often have the opposite of effect. Your body craves requires proper hydration, such as water, not coffee or tea to fuel itself. This is a relatively easy change you can incorporate into your morning routine that can make a positive impact in your energy levels.

I personally enjoy having a quick, balanced meal in the morning. This helps me maintain a consistent energy in the morning and also helps me feel more awake. One of my go-to breakfasts is savoury oatmeal. It probably sounds a bit strange since oatmeal is often recognized as a breakfast with toppings on the sweeter side but oatmeal naturally has a neutral (and plain) flavour. This is why it is the perfect base for you to add any toppings of your choice.

Imagine this: an over-easy egg with chopped up cubes of ham all on a bed of old-fashioned oats sprinkled with black pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. It takes me less than 5 minutes to make in the morning and the results are incredibly delicious and nutritious. This meal also keeps me full for hours as well which is perfect for school and work.

I hope reading this has made you realize how important and easy it can be to properly fuel your body. When you give your body the fuel it needs to effectively function, it ultimately benefits you as you’re giving yourself the energy you need to push through your day. Also, if anything, your body will thank you for the nourishment and care.

Reference

US Geological Survey. (July 23, 2018). The Water in You: Water and the Human Body. Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects