How you start your day can really determine a successful day of positivity and productivity or a day of deflation and defeat… I know which day I would rather have. But i have to confess … I haven’t always been a morning person.
In fact my man would argue that I am a work in progress in the mornings – the truth is I don’t spring out of bed with an abundance of energy instantly.
I like to have some time to myself as I wake… I just need a little extra TLC.
The good news is, if your an exuberant morning person or you are like me and in need of a little extra TLC, this morning routine has you covered to ensure you have an amazing start to your day!
Wake up a little earlier than usual and try these 5 simple ways to start your day in a beautiful way. Your body, mind & soul will thank you…
Kick Start your Day
This little kick starter will help to fire up your metabolism and get your digestive system cranking. It also contains good bacteria and helps boost your body’s immunity while stabilizing your blood sugar levels … talk about a killer kicker! Try this kick starter every day for 30 days and feel the difference. I usually incorporate this into my daily routine by having it first thing in the morning.
Kick Starter
- 2 cups water (warm)
- 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Optional – (sometimes I include these, sometimes I don’t)
- Dash of cinnamon
- Dash of cayenne pepper
Give your Body some Love
So by now I am sure you have all heard of this dry brushing craze … but what is it really all about? Well, dry brushing is fantastic for a whole lot of reasons. It gets the blood pumping through your body, improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, releasing unwanted toxins. It also stimulates the nerve endings in your skin helping rejuvenate our nervous system.
As if all this wasn’t enough, increasing blood circulation could possibly reduce the appearance of orange peel butt – yep that’s right it could reduce cellulite! Hello ladies, get on board. It also is perfect for removing dead skin cells promoting brighter, smoother skin … hello glow!
Dry brushing is an easy DIY beauty regime to add into your daily routine.
- Always brush on dry skin before your shower
- Gentle circular, upward motions are best
- Start at your feet and work your way up towards your heart. Lymphatic fluid flows through your body towards your heart so its important that we brush in the same direction.
- Shower to wash away the dead skin cells
- Moisturize! Hydrating your skin is super important – I like to use organic coconut oil. It is a natural moisturizer free of nasty chemicals and smells delicious – who doesn’t love the smell of summer!
Make your body sweat
This step is vital for starting your day right. Whether you like pumping iron, speed cycling at the gym, taking a WundaBar Pilates class or stretching it out on the yoga mat let your body sweat. Raise your heart rate, get your lungs working, your blood pumping and your body moving.
Moving your body first thing in the morning helps to boost your metabolism for the day. Believe it or not it also gives you MORE energy for the day ahead! Not only this, but we know that exercising produces those happy endorphins allowing us to feel more positive. Having a healthy, happy and strong mind is super important in starting our day right.
Committing to moving your body first thing in the morning, also increases your chances of movement success. The stats show that those who leave their moving and shaking until the afternoon, tend to flake on the commitment … not so successful.
If you are just starting out, no matter how you like to move your body. Commit to 30mins of exercise a day. You can always increase this if your schedule allows. Plus, the more you fall in love with your morning routine and the way it makes you feel, the more you will want to move.
It is also really important to listen to your body each day. Sometimes a high intensity workout is not what your body needs, a brisk walk along the beach and some light stretching may be all that is required. Tune in …
Set your daily intentions
Before the hustle and bustle of your busy starts, set 10 minutes aside to quieten your mind and just be. Breathe deeply and centre yourself for the day ahead.
Once you have done this, set your daily intention – choose your focus for the day and be mindful of your intention … it may be “to express kindness to all of those around you.” Or it could be … “ Today I will maximise my productivity by prioritising my daily tasks.” Whatever your intention is for the day. Say it loud, say it proud and hold yourself accountable. You will feel amazing at having succeeded at your daily intention.
Blend away!
You have heard it over and over again … breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you know what lovers … they ain’t makin’ it up.
Starting your day right means starting it with a breakfast that can sustain you with the energy you need for the hours ahead. It gives your body power, your brain power and you super powers (well that one I’m not entirely sure on) but you will feel like you have super powers because you will have had the best breakfast ever!
Your breakfast should be high in fibre, pumping with protein and overflowing with nutrition to ensure a day of energy, vitality, health and success. Check out our friends at Raw Blends amazing Breakfast Recipes!
A Super Breakfast Smoothie is the perfect way to start your day! If your looking for a little sweet treat for brekky that is still full of goodness to get you going try my Passion fruit Breakfast Smoothie.
Passion fruit Breakfast Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- Coconut water and flesh from x1 fresh coconut
- 1 banana
- 1 orange and pith (peel removed)
- 4 passion fruits
- 2 Tbsp Vanilla Pea Protein powder
- 1 Tbsp Chia seeds
- 1 cup ice
- Optional: Cinnamon
Method
- Put all the ingredients into the Vitamix 2L container in the order listed and secure the lid.
- Select Variable 1. Turn the machine on and quickly increase the speed to 10, then override to High.
- Use tamper really well to press the ingredients into the blades.
- Blend for 45-60 seconds or until smooth.
- Stop the machine and serve.
To Serve
Top with shredded coconut, fresh passion fruit & some dried pomegranate seeds or almonds.
If you have a sweet tooth, i drizzled the inside of my smoothie glass with Raw Honey. It gives it a nice and unexpected burst of sweetness and a little texture as you sip away!
If you are not a “morning person” or know someone who occasionally wakes up on the wrong side of the bed – share this post with them and inspire them to start their day in a beautiful way! It helped me.
Ameka Jane
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