For years my morning routine consisted of me angrily snoozing the alarm until I realised I had five minutes left to eat breakfast, do my makeup and run out the door.
It was incredibly stressful but somehow it seemed inevitable. I would bookmark posts describing the morning routines of highly successful people I look up to, only to sigh and do nothing.
I felt like I would be stuck in this cycle forever, but when I became a full-time blogger and started working from home I decided things had to change. I had to change.
Instead of reinforcing my own negativity with modern-day mantras like “I’m not a morning person” and “I hate Mondays”, I decided to come up with a healthy morning routine that would make me happy to be awake.
You may say I’m lucky because my job allows me to dictate my own schedule – and you’d be right to do so. But even if you have a demanding office job, incorporating a few of these rituals into your morning routine is definitely possible.
A daily 30-minute yoga sequence may not fit your timetable, but you can easily pack your gratitude journal and write in it on your way to work. Establishing a healthy morning routine is all about being creative and figuring out what works for you!
Gratitude journal
When I first heard of this thing called a ‘gratitude journal’, my skeptical side immediately kicked in.
“Oh, so writing down a few things I’m grateful for every day is going to get rid of my anxiety?” I thought. “Suuure.”
But it is a deceptively simple practice with incredible benefits. From lowering my stress levels to increasing my self-esteem, keeping a gratitude journal has gradually helped me change my outlook on life.
I do it for about 15 minutes every morning, while enjoying a cup of tea or a small glass of Tropicana orange juice. It’s an integral part of my morning routine and helps me feel positive for the rest of the day – you can read all about it in my Gratitude Journal 101.
Meditation
Much like keeping a gratitude journal, the idea of meditation always filled me with scepticism. I know, I can be a bit of a grouch sometimes. I do it so you don’t have to.
Meditation is not something that comes naturally to me, because my mind is constantly jumping from one thought to the next.
I could easily win a gold medal in getting sidetracked, which is good because I love gold. Which reminds me – have I told you about that gold watch I almost bought the other day?
See what I mean? Exactly. To start the day off with a clear mind, I use the free Stop, Breathe and Think app on my phone for guided meditation.
It contains a large database of narrated mindfulness exercises ranging from 3 to 10 minutes, so there is a little something for everyone.
You can easily do this on the bus to work, with your eyes closed and your earphones in – there’s really no good excuse for not taking care of your mental wellbeing. Keeping your mind in good shape is just as important as keeping your body healthy!
Yoga
I’m not going to lie to you – as much as I enjoy yoga, I don’t do it nearly enough. But every day I start with a short yoga practice is a productive one. Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
When I’m too lazy to go to class, I log into my YouTube account and choose a video from Yoga With Adriene’s large archive. It’s no wonder the lady has more than a million followers – she pushes you to do your best without making you feel bad for not being able to touch your toes.
Breakfast
Much like Leslie Knope from ‘Parks & Recreation’ (aka my spirit animal), I love breakfast food. But because eating waffles with bacon and maple syrup would send me right back to bed in a food coma, I try to keep it healthy.
For breakfast I usually have a smoothie bowl or dairy-free yoghurt with fruit. I also recently started making banana nice cream – literally a bowl of blended frozen bananas – and it’s changed my life.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to get up knowing they’ll eat ice cream for breakfast?
But eating cold food on an empty stomach is not good for you, which is why I always start with some caffeine-free tea (Rooibos or a herb blend) and a small glass of orange juice.
I’m not sure whether it’s the fresh citrus smell or sunny colour, but to me a glass of orange juice equals happiness.
A little glass of Tropicana is one of my 5 a day, as well as a solid source of Vitamin C and B9. I wouldn’t recommend drinking the whole carton in one go, but it’s healthy in small doses and who am I to deprive myself of simple joys?
What is your healthy morning routine? Do you have one or just go with the flow? How do you have a #GoodMorningGreatDay?
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Tropicana, but as always all tips, opinions and bad jokes are my own.
A 150ml Little Glass of Tropicana orange juice may not look like much but it packs a big punch! Indeed, a small glass of juice serves as a convenient and easy way for people to get important vitamins, minerals and one of your five a day.
That’s because the juice of 1 1/2 oranges we squeeze into every Little Glass contains vitamin B9, potassium and 60% of the recommended daily vitamin C intake. And with only naturally occurring sugars Little Glass is a big hitter at breakfast. Find out more at Tropicana.co.uk
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