Let’s be honest, each morning don’t you just wish you could snooze for another hour or two? If mornings are easy for you, great, but for many being a morning person is a struggle and it just takes a little more work and relying on a delicious cup of coffee to get energised and make it through the day.
Need help you get invigorated and wake up on the right side of the bed? Here are 5 simple steps to get you started…
Forget the phone
Although we are guilty of reaching for my phone first thing in the morning, try your best to avoid all technology when you wake up. One of the biggest downers is compulsively scrolling through your Instagram feed first thing in the morning to see everything that’s going on in others’ lives that isn’t happening in yours. Why do that? Instead, give yourself an hour (or 30 minutes) without any technology to help start your day on a more relaxing note.
Practice mindfulness or meditate
Set the tone of the day by letting yourself first focus on you. Mindfulness practice can help set a calmer tone for your day. It helps you come into the present moment and ground yourself to the here and now. Take a moment to be grateful for the life you’re living and for the people that are around and watch that energy kick in. Try this, sit in a comfortable place in your house and light a candle. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Try your best to focus on your breathing and to put your other thoughts aside. You can do this anywhere from 2 minutes to 30 depending on what feels right for you. But we promise you, you will feel more relaxed and your brain will be more prepared to start your day.
Lemon water
Drink a large glass of water with half a lemon squeezed into it - you may even like to add some ginger or cayenne pepper, shortly after waking. This will assist with digestion and is effective in body cleansing and detoxification - it will help get things moving. Follow this with a nutritious breakfast to kick-start your metabolism and fuel your body to face the day ahead.
Exercise
When you exercise first thing in the morning, you have more energy, burn more calories, increase mental acuity making you sharper all day long and generally find that you make better food decisions throughout the day. Exercise also gives you endorphins and what better way to start your day than with a boost to your mood? You will feel awesome that your workout is already complete while most people are still snoozing.
Have no desire to lift weights or run 5km in the morning? You can still get going in other ways to get your heart pumping without the pressure of a hardcore workout. Yoga is a great option that can be physically intense, mentally challenging, and can serve as a spiritual breathing ritual. Exercising your mind is just as important to your health, so finding ways to elevate your spirit is just as important as lifting those weights.
Finally eat breakfast – and we know just the place!
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies show that we should aim to consume 15-25% of our daily energy intake at breakfast. When you’re in a hurry to get to work, it’s tempting to grab a piece of toast and sprint out the door. While this may a convenient option, it’s not the most satisfying. So, chances are you’ll be reaching in to your snack draw by 11am! Instead, it’s worth taking the time to have a delicious, healthy breakfast that will actually fill you up. We recommend opting for something that includes protein, good fats and low-gi carbohydrates, like our Nourish Bowl or a delicious Green Smoothie.