Boosting Your Wellbeing with Lemon Water
Today I'm writing to you about the potential benefits of lemon water and my experience with it over the years. So if you've ever been curious about this practice, how it can work to boost your overall health, and tips to maximize this ritual's impact, read on!
So much is changing right now in this 2020 milestone year. More and more, faster and faster - it can definitely feel overwhelming as we experience the inevitability of major shifts and unprecedented transformation in our lives. Where do we possibly begin???
You begin with "small" change. As I've learned over the years, BIG shifts are a result of creating a foundation of smaller shifts that add up to tip the scale. And for me, drinking lemon water every morning is one of those small shifts that helped me make a big positive difference in my wellbeing. So now, I pay that forward to you!
Here are potential benefits to consuming lemon water first thing in the morning and why you might consider giving it a whirl:
Promotes alkalinity within the body
Increased energy and alertness without stimulants
Boosts immune ad digestive system function
Counters dehydration and supports regularity
Can help curb cravings and mood swings
Enhanced thought processing and problem solving
Clearer skin and stronger hair and nails
Facilitates daily detoxification of toxins that accumulate overnight
and more...
Many of these benefits are directly related to simply increasing hydration with water. As beings who are made of mostly water, it's important to drink it consistently! When we're properly hydrated, the body flows much better in all of its operations and is much more resilient and robust. So that's a good start! And the addition of fresh squeezed lemon juice - a practices that goes back centuries - can take all of it to another level.
While it's true that lemon or lime juice is inherently acidic, the citric acid is metabolized easily by the body. Afterwards, it promotes alkalinity by stimulating the production of calcium carbonate that neutralizes other acids that can't be metabolized by the body (like uric acid). Its mineral content (calcium, magnesium, selenium, potassium) is also highly alkaline in nature. The same is true for the malic acid in unprocessed, raw apple cider vinegar if it were to be used in place of lemon or lime juice. And when we facilitate alkalinity in the body, we can diminish and prevent disease, illness, and stress, which thrive in an acidic body, and we can thereby promote health, healing, and balance.
Which is why a simple practice like drinking lemon water in the morning every day can have such a range of benefits that enhance your overall wellbeing! So here are my recommendations on how you can do it…
Lemon Water
This is the first thing that I drink in the morning. Quality of ingredients is key here. So for both the water and the lemons, use the best that you have access to! I use filtered water and organic lemons whenever possible. But whenever lemons aren’t available, or I just want to switch it up, I also use limes or apple cider vinegar (ACV). So I'll also include those specifications for your convenience!
Combine:
8 oz of warm water
fresh squeezed juice of 1/2 medium lemon (or 1 small lime or 1 tablespoon of raw, organic, unfiltered ACV)
Tips:
Avoid bottled lemon/lime juice or squeezing juice in advance. It's best when it's fresh! If you must squeeze in advance, immediately freeze the undiluted juice into ice cube trays and use as needed.
Warm water is easier on the body and helps promote digestion, circulation, and the effectiveness of the lemon juice's healthful benefits.
Drink on an empty stomach.
Sip and savor. Try not to infuse it with stress or anxiety by rushing. Enjoy it!
Too strong? Modify and adjust the recipe as needed. Sometimes less is more.
Stick with it for at least 2 weeks to discover your own unique benefits, remembering that healing can show up in many different, and often unexpected, ways.
Each of us is different, so no two of us will experience the same benefits in the same way. I've experienced all of these benefits and then some, and that's why I've continued this practice for years. But please don't take my word for it - Give it a whirl!
Try it for yourself and be curious if drinking lemon water can boost your overall wellbeing. And then wait and see…
