4 Morning Habits That Could Raise Your Risk of Stroke
Strokes are no longer a concern exclusive to older adults; younger individuals are increasingly at risk as well. Recognizing the importance of stroke prevention is crucial, as failing to address early warning signs can lead to severe consequences.
I recently came across a newspaper article highlighting certain morning habits that may unknowingly increase the risk of stroke. Here are some key insights shared by Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang from the Military Medical Academy, along with advice on how to avoid these risky behaviors.
1. Jumping Out of Bed Too Quickly
It’s common for people to spring out of bed immediately after waking up, but health experts caution against this habit. During sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system keeps the heart rate and blood pressure low. Abruptly standing up activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing a sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure.
This rapid change can strain delicate blood vessels in the brain, increasing the likelihood of a hemorrhagic stroke.
Solution: Dr. Quang advises lying still for 1–2 minutes after waking up. Gentle massages of the face, head, eyes, and neck can help ease your body into wakefulness before you get out of bed.
2. Drinking Saltwater First Thing in the Morning
Some people start their day with a glass of diluted saltwater, believing it improves oral hygiene and promotes health. However, this habit can have adverse effects.
Excessive salt intake can raise blood pressure, increasing the risk of stroke and kidney issues. Additionally, drinking saltwater on an empty stomach may irritate the stomach lining, potentially leading to inflammation or ulcers.
Solution: Opt for plain water instead of saltwater to hydrate your body after waking up.
3. Exercising Too Early in the Morning
While regular exercise is beneficial, working out before sunrise, especially in cold weather, can pose health risks. Cold temperatures may cause blood vessels to constrict, increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues, heart attacks, and strokes.
For individuals with pre-existing conditions, early-morning workouts can also lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue, further straining the body.
Solution: Schedule your exercise for a slightly later time in the morning when temperatures are more moderate.
4. Drinking Too Much Water at Once
Hydrating in the morning is essential, but consuming large amounts of water in one go can strain the heart. This is particularly risky for individuals with heart conditions, as it may cause rapid heartbeat, breathlessness, or even trigger a stroke.
Solution: Drink around 200–300ml of water after waking up, and sip slowly throughout the morning instead of consuming large amounts at once.
Final Thoughts
Stroke prevention begins with simple daily habits. Being mindful of how you start your day can have a significant impact on your long-term health. Share these insights with your loved ones to help promote a healthier, stroke-free lifestyle.
DWTS fans blast Gene Simmons for ‘cringey’ comments: ‘worst guest judge’
Fans of Dancing with the Stars are expressing their shock over Gene Simmons using his position as a guest judge to “sexualize women.”
The 75-year-old KISS frontman, known for his larger-than-life stage presence and persona, joined the show to critique the contestants on Hair Metal Night as they danced to iconic rock anthems from the 1980s.
But audiences are now demanding the network “issue an apology” for “putting a creep on the show,” and for providing him a platform to voice his “cringe-worthy” and “sexist” comments.
On the Tuesday, October 9 episode of Dancing with the Stars, KISS rocker Gene Simmons raised quite a few eyebrows with his controversial guest appearance.
As part of the show’s Hair Metal Night, Simmons joined regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli to critique the celebrity dancers.
Despite the high energy of the nostalgia-filled performance set to hits like Cherry Pie and Rock You Like a Hurricane, Simmons’ sexually suggestive remarks overshadowed the night for many fans.
While his rock persona has long been associated with pushing boundaries, many felt his behavior wasn’t suited for the lighthearted nature of the competition series.
Throughout the episode, Simmons, 75, made several remarks that focused less on the dancing and more on the female dancer’s looks, which many viewers call “creepy.”
After former NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola and Witney Carson hit the dance floor, “The Demon” said he couldn’t figure out who was more “hot hot hot.”
“Danny, I’m telling you, you’re right next to somebody – one of the most beautiful women on the planet. She makes you look good. Buddy, you gotta hit the gym. You gotta get in there,” added Simmons.
And then, referring to Emma Slater who was dancing with actor Reginald VelJohnson dancer, he said: “You’ve got a beautiful woman right beside you, who can twist it and turn it, and knows how to move it and, you know, all that.”
The rock legend also had words for VelJohnson. “I wanna tell you, as a guy that’s been on the stage for half a century around the world, I’m kind of a big deal, Reggie,” Simmons said. “It’s all in the attitude and you’ve got something in that beautiful face, they love you!”
Perhaps one of his cringiest remarks was directed to actor-singer Chandler Kinney. Explaining that her moves “fogged up” his glasses, Simmons removed his dark shades and said, “You moved me, not just with your gyrations and so on, but your beautiful face and how you were into the emotion of it – top to bottom.”
He did however offer one relevant opinion to Kinney when he praised her talents, noting that she has a “big future” ahead of her.
Social media quickly filled with backlash, with many expressing their discomfort and frustration. Some viewers even went as far as to call him the “worst guest judge” in the show’s 33-season run.
“I usually like Gene Simmons and think he’s funny. But that was not the case as a guest judge. Very inappropriate and just not helpful,” writes one cyber fan on the DWTS Facebook site.
A second shares, “It was uncomfortable for us watching, can’t even imagine how the women felt. And he wasn’t scoring dances, he was just giving out random numbers.”
Gene was a bust! His comments and feedback were inappropriate along with the scores.”
A third critic adds, “His comments on all the girls was cringe!”
Another user calls Simmons “vulgar” and says he’s “the worst judge ever
Meanwhile, other online citizens are calling out ABC and Disney+, suggesting the network and streaming service apologize to fans of DWTS.
“Y’all owe the biggest apology to your fanbase (which is primarily women) & the dancers for putting that creep on your show and allowing for him to sexualize them on live TV,” one netizen writes on Facebook.
A second pens, “They need to apologize for having Gene Simmons. It was cringe-worthy. His comments were sexist, and he was just awful.”
“But they had a felon on the show this season,” adds another user, who’s referring to Anna Delvey (Sorokin), the convicted fraudster who sparked a lot of controversy with her appearance on September 17, the first episode of the DWTS season.
What do you think of DWTS decision in having Simmons as a guest judge? Please let us know what you think and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
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