The Top Tips To Getting Your Day Off To A Great Start
What you do in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day, so it’s important to get it right. If you can develop a morning routine that suits you, you’ll face the hours ahead feeling motivated, energised and relaxed – in short, mentally and physically prepared for whatever the day may bring. Read on for six great ways to start your morning that will set you up for a brilliant day to come.
1. Stretch your body.
Your body has been asleep and mostly still for hours, so you can’t really expect it to spring into action without the kind of warm-up you might use before running, dancing or any other form of exercise. So stretch. This can be as simple as standing in a star shape, extending your arms and legs and lifting your head and chest, then lowering your arms and swinging them loosely around your body as you turn your torso. Or try a few yoga stretches, especially Sun Salutations, which are designed to boost circulation and energy as well as having long-term benefits for strength and flexibility.
2. Take a shower.
Taking a shower is a great way of waking up, boosting circulation by encouraging the blood to rush to the skin, clearing the sinuses and delivering a burst of energy. Warm or cold are both beneficial – or try warm water followed by a blast of cold. Our Bath & Shower gels are designed to enliven senses and soothe skin, making them the perfect partner to your morning shower; try Fireside for a warm and spicy start to a Winters day.
3. Work on your breathing.
Now your body is awake, it’s time to focus on making sure your mind is prepared too. A few minutes of morning meditation can still a racing brain and reduce anxiety, helping you to approach the day ahead calmly and with focus. So sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and concentrate on your breath as you inhale for four counts, hold your breath for four counts and exhale for eight. If your mind starts to wander, return it your breathing – just three minutes of conscious breathing can have amazing results in relaxing mind and body and boosting your sense of wellbeing.
4. Up your fluid intake.
A full night of sleep is a long time for the body to go without water, so unsurprisingly many of us wake up dehydrated, making us lethargic and muddle-headed. Drinking a couple of glasses of water restores our hydration, stimulates our metabolism and helps rid our bodies of toxins. Many nutritionists recommend the juice of half a lemon diluted with a glass of warm water to boost the immune system, clear the skin and get liver and kidneys working effectively.
5. Eat a nutritious breakfast.
People who start their day with a healthy breakfast are less likely to be obese, have more stable blood-sugar levels and a more active metabolism, as well as more energy and better concentration. In fact, breakfast is widely regarded as the most important meal of the day. Try to incorporate lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats – avocado and poached egg on wholemeal or sourdough is a certain winner, but so are oats, yoghurt and fruit, or simply wholemeal toast and peanut butter.
6. Put pen to paper, write down your thoughts and feelings.
Clearing your brain by reflecting on the previous day or setting intentions for the future is a great way to ensure you get the most from the day ahead. For some people, it works best to do your writing when you first wake up, keeping a journal by your bedside into which you can pour your dreams, anxieties and new ideas before beginning to structure the hours to come. For others, journaling works best during or after breakfast, when mind and body are more fully awake and alert. Either way, treat yourself to a journal that feels precious and personal as an incentive to keep up the practice.
