1-Minute Tip: Scrape your tongue. Using a tongue scraper has been proven to remove toxins better than a toothbrush. If your tongue is covered in plaque and bacteria, it makes it harder for your taste buds to savor food. Take one minute to scrape your tongue from as far back as is comfortable to the tip. Rinse off the scraper and repeat until there is no remaining residue.
5-Minute Tip: Tap it out. The practice of tapping is an age-old technique that provides emotional and physical restoration and relief. Like acupuncture and acupressure, tapping utilizes pressure on meridian points to “tap” into your body’s natural healing powers. Begin by meditating on an issue causing you pain or anxiety. Then with either two fingertips or four, begin a tapping cycle moving through this sequence, on each side where applicable, for five minutes, seven taps at a time: outside of hand, eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, under nose, chin, collarbone, under arm and top of head.
15-Minute Tip: Help alleviate stress and free your mind before you go to bed by writing your thoughts and concerns in a journal. Writing about the things that are worrying you gives you a chance to explore solutions and put things in perspective. It’s also a great way to clear away negative thoughts to encourage a more restful sleep.
30-Minute Tip: Staying at home doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all day! Get outside and enjoy the sunshine and some fresh air for 30 minutes every day. A walk around the block or just lying in the grass and listening to the sounds of nature for 30 minutes will provide a dose of vitamin D and help you feel a little more balanced. Just make sure to follow CDC guidelines for protecting yourself and others, including maintaining a safe distance and wearing a mask when appropriate.
This article first appeared in the May 2020 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
