Self-Care Experiment #3: A big glass of water first thing in the morning
Now before we dive in (pun intended), let’s just say this week did not go the way I expected. I had big hopes for this one – and I don’t mean just in the “glow-up” kind of way. In my head, I imagined these self-care experiments as a bit of a cross between realism and humour. Think Celeste Barber’s take on fashion – except instead of recreating supermodel poses, I wanted to look at wellness trends with a healthy dose of honesty and “real-life vibes.”
I’m not here to mock wellness (okay, maybe a tiny eye-roll here and there), but I am here to tell the truth about what happens when a regular person – with endo scars, a busy brain, and a to-do list as long as a yoga strap – actually tries these things.
So here we go. This week’s experiment:
Drinking a large glass of water (about 400ml) first thing in the morning, before anything else.
Why I Tried It
This idea popped up for me through Ayurvedic-inspired reading. Apparently, this practice:
Stimulates digestion (yep, we’re going to talk about poo – gently, I promise)
Rehydrates the body after sleep
Can support skin health
Might even boost energy and alertness
And, for me, it just seemed like a mindful way to start the day
And honestly? After decades of dealing with endometriosis – including bowel endo (which I didn’t know about for years) – I’ve always been fascinated by anything that might support healthy, regular digestion. So I was curious. Could a simple glass of water in the morning make a noticeable difference?
The Honest Truth: What Actually Happened
Day 1:
It felt… good. Like I’d done something kind and nourishing for my body. I did feel fresh and alert, and I remembered thinking, “Yes! I can do this.”
Day 2:
Okay, here’s where the honesty part kicks in. I had one of my rare-but-severe bouts of constipation. It happens about once a year, and unfortunately, this week was the lucky winner. It was awful – uncomfortable, stressful, and completely threw me off. And no, the water didn’t magically fix it.
This is exactly why I started these experiments: to talk about what happens when wellness doesn't go to plan. I wasn’t about to pretend that the water saved the day. It didn’t. It was just a tough, stressful day (and yes, I’m moving house right now – so stress, disrupted routines, and not-so-great eating probably played a role).
Days 3–7:
I got into the groove. Some mornings, I even looked forward to the water. But then, something unexpected happened…
I started to get nervous.
Not about the water, but about how obsessive I was becoming with the idea of needing to do it “right.” See, I’ve had a past with orthorexia – an extreme focus on healthy eating – and I recognised that familiar tight feeling in my chest. That “all-or-nothing” thinking started creeping in.
"If I don’t drink the water, am I failing? Am I ruining my health? Am I lazy or undisciplined?"
That’s when I knew: this experiment needed a soft landing.
What I Learned
I don’t want any part of my routine – even something as seemingly harmless as a glass of water – to become a rule that turns into shame. Instead, I want to practise what I call intuitive drinking (like intuitive eating, but wetter).
That means:
Some mornings, I’ll go straight for a cup of tea.
Other mornings, I might crave a big glass of water.
And either way, it’s all okay.
I’m learning to trust my body again. To notice, not control. To soften, not strive.
My Final Verdict?
Big glass of water in the morning - Rating: 🤷♀️ “Nice, But Not Life-Changing”
It felt fresh. It was easy. It might be helpful if you're looking to support digestion or skin health or just start your day mindfully. But for me? It’s not a daily must-do. Just something nice I might include – when it feels good.
What’s Next?
I’ve already started my next self-care experiment – and I’m actually really excited about this one.
Thank you for following along with these experiments. If you’ve been enjoying them, you can now follow along as a podcast on Spotify – just search for Self-Care Experiments with Emma and hit follow. Or, as always, these reflections will land in your inbox each Wednesday morning if you’re on my email list.
Thanks for being here, for reading this far, and for letting me tell the real stories behind self-care.