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Aliena's avatar

You are so brave for attempting cold showers! I can't even deal with lukewarm hahaha. HEAVY on the sunlight tip - most of us in developed countries are also severely lacking in vitamin D by being locked away indoors. I appreciate you for listing unique tips other than just caffeine. I personally prefer matcha because the "high" from coffee is too strong and makes me crash later in the day as well as makes me even sleepier.

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Leena S.'s avatar

Hahaha cold showers definitely require acclimation but once you get used to it, it's not that bad. Ya the grey skies in North America take such a huge toll on my mental health too, like sunlight is sooo important for many reasons! Coffee is not really my thing and I’ve read some research about how chronic coffee drinking changes the brains connectivity to be more associate with anxiety. There are other options that are just as good for alertness and I think coffee is great occasionally. Matcha sounds nice, Dr. Andrew Huberman also said he drinks matcha! Maybe it behaves differently from regular coffee as well?

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Hajarrr's avatar

This is really helpful! Thanks for sharing

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Leena S.'s avatar

Alhamdulillah I’m glad it helped!!

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Rafia Khader's avatar

Wow, Masha'Allah. Is this your daily morning routine or just during the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah? If you are able to do all this and feel energy throughout the day, more power to you. But if you are struggling, please try to be gentle with yourself. Do you sleep at all after waking up at 3 am? I've known people who can survive on four hours of sleep (I am one of them, but it's not intentional and NOT recommended. I am not a nice person to be around). Thanks for this reminder. I should be doing more during these days as they are the best days of the year!

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Leena S.'s avatar

I’m trying to make it my daily routine, Insha’Allah! Honestly if I’m in a good mood, I feel pretty energized and don’t need to sleep throughout the day. But when I’m not feeling the best then I need more sleep and will take naps throughout the day. I also think it’s easier in the summer than the winter. If you do it intentionally though maybe it won’t feel as bad?

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Rafia Khader's avatar

That's interesting that it's easier in the summer... perhaps because of all the vitamin D?

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Leena S.'s avatar

I think it’s because our circadian rhythm is light sensitive and the days are longer in the summer so our bodies naturally adapt to that.

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Zoha | زوھا's avatar

How insightful!! Jazakallah

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Leena S.'s avatar

Thank you for reading and commenting!

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