Chinese morning routine: mental health benefits explained - according to a gut health expert
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been used for thousands of years ✨
- Chinese morning routine is taking off on social media.
- The habits from Traditional Chinese Medicine are thousands of years old.
- Dr Megan Rossi, a gut health expert, explains the science behind the routine and how it can help your mental health.
The Chinese morning routine is going viral on social media with thousands of users embracing the habits from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Used for thousands of years, people are jumping on the trend to improve their overall health, with searches for Chinese wellness practices like “feminine qigong” having soared 1,050% compared to this time last year, and “warm water in the morning” increasing by 107% in the past month alone.
But it’s not just the physical benefits, mental health platform, Just Ask A Question (JAAQ) spoke to Dr Megan Rossi, a gut health expert, to find out how this morning routine could be just as beneficial for your mind.
What are the steps of the Chinese morning routine?
The Traditional Chinese Medicine practices date back over 2,000 years. The six most common steps of the Chinese morning routine include:
Warm or hot water first thing in the morning
This is the step currently going viral as it's intended to support digestion and circulation before eating food.
Gentle movement
This commonly involves jumping, tapping your lymph nodes, gentle stretches, or simple qigong-inspired movements to wake up the body.
Tapping
Tapping under the arms and along the legs is commonly a part of the routine to stimulate circulation or lymphatic flow before starting the day.
Warm breakfast foods
Starting your day with a warm breakfast is encouraged and recommended, as it is seen to be nourishing for the gut.
Herbal drinks or soup
Regularly drinking herbal teas or soups to stay hydrated. Teas with goji berry and dates are encouraged for women.
No bare feet
Keeping your feet warm and wearing slippers or socks indoors is another common habit featured. It’s linked to Traditional Chinese Medicine ideas about protecting your body’s energy, especially in winter.
What are the benefits?
While the routines are recognised to have physical benefits, they can also have a positive impact on your mental health.
Dr Megan Rossi, a leading gut health scientist, registered dietitian and nutritionist, known as The Gut Health Doctor, said: “There are two main ways this viral trend may be influencing our mental health, and both come back to the powerful gut-brain connection.”
Dr Rossi explained that good gut health supports better mental health, with regular bowel movements helping people start the day feeling better.
She said: “Things that help stimulate the gut first thing include warm fluids, breakfast, and gentle movement. A breakfast that contains carbohydrates, including fibre, like oats, plus some fat, such as full-fat kefir or yoghurt, can be particularly effective. Together with light movement, these stimulate what’s called mass movement in the gut, essentially giving the bowels a gentle kick-start.”
Whilst drinking herbal drinks can also play a role. Dr Rossi said: “These are rich in plant compounds known as phytochemicals, including polyphenols. Research suggests certain polyphenols can increase blood flow to the brain, which may help us feel more alert and, in turn, a little more mentally well.”
You can find out more about living a healthy lifestyle at NHS Better Health.