Health
3 days before
4 things many people do in the morning
1. Skipping Hydration Upon Waking
Why It’s Harmful: After several hours of sleep, the body is naturally dehydrated. Dehydration increases blood viscosity, which can elevate the risk of blood clots and stroke.
What to Do Instead: Start your day by drinking a glass of water to rehydrate your body and improve circulation.
2. Getting Up Too Quickly Why It’s Harmful: Sudden movements after waking, such as getting out of bed too quickly, can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). This can lead to dizziness, fainting, or even a stroke in extreme cases. What to Do Instead: Take a few moments to sit on the edge of your bed and stretch gently before standing up to stabilize your blood pressure.
3. Skipping Breakfast Why It’s Harmful: Not eating breakfast can lead to low blood sugar levels, increasing stress hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to high blood pressure and stroke risk over time. What to Do Instead: Eat a balanced breakfast that includes whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar and support cardiovascular health.
4. Excessive Morning Stress Why It’s Harmful: Stressful activities like checking emails or engaging in intense discussions immediately after waking can spike cortisol and adrenaline levels, leading to higher blood pressure and increased stroke risk. What to Do Instead: Incorporate calming activities like meditation, light exercise, or deep breathing into your morning routine to reduce stress.
Tips to Reduce Stroke Risk in the Morning Stay Active: Incorporate regular physical activity to improve cardiovascular health. Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: These habits significantly increase stroke risk. Monitor Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a leading cause of strokes, so regular monitoring and medication (if prescribed) are essential. Prioritize Sleep: Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can elevate stroke risk. Aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep each night.
2. Getting Up Too Quickly Why It’s Harmful: Sudden movements after waking, such as getting out of bed too quickly, can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). This can lead to dizziness, fainting, or even a stroke in extreme cases. What to Do Instead: Take a few moments to sit on the edge of your bed and stretch gently before standing up to stabilize your blood pressure.
3. Skipping Breakfast Why It’s Harmful: Not eating breakfast can lead to low blood sugar levels, increasing stress hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to high blood pressure and stroke risk over time. What to Do Instead: Eat a balanced breakfast that includes whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar and support cardiovascular health.
4. Excessive Morning Stress Why It’s Harmful: Stressful activities like checking emails or engaging in intense discussions immediately after waking can spike cortisol and adrenaline levels, leading to higher blood pressure and increased stroke risk. What to Do Instead: Incorporate calming activities like meditation, light exercise, or deep breathing into your morning routine to reduce stress.
Tips to Reduce Stroke Risk in the Morning Stay Active: Incorporate regular physical activity to improve cardiovascular health. Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: These habits significantly increase stroke risk. Monitor Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a leading cause of strokes, so regular monitoring and medication (if prescribed) are essential. Prioritize Sleep: Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can elevate stroke risk. Aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep each night.
