Sylvia Diaz joins us today with her first fitness/wellbeing post here on Happy Magazine. Today Sylvia has a few suggestions for your morning routine to help you have a productive day, no matter what you’re doing.
Have you ever noticed when your morning starts in a frenzy – snoozing your alarm, skipping breakfast and rushing yourself out the door – the rest of your day seems to reflect that mood of chaos as well? Regardless if you are heading to work or heading to chemo, creating and using a morning routine that works for you is a great way to create a successful day.
Whether you are aware of it or not, as humans we all operate based on habits all the time. So, in order to create healthy habits for our lives, we may need to put some intentional effort into forming them until they become automatic.
Here are a few morning routine ideas that might help you start your day right.
Set two alarms
The first alarm will help you become aware that your day is starting and the second one should act as a gentle reminder – it is your last chance to start your day right!
The earlier you wake, the more time you will have before going to bed and the less pressure you will feel throughout your day.
Do one thing at a time
Multi-tasking is overrated. Doing many things at once does not let us concentrate on any of them and will instead result in a feeling of stress. For example, trying to have breakfast while texting on WhatsApp – neither task is getting your full attention so neither will feel satisfying.
Being aware of each moment will help you enjoy it and reduce the pressure of what comes afterwards.
Hydrate yourself
Drinking water first thing in the morning immediately helps rehydrate the body, allowing for a healthy flow of oxygen, staying energised and consequently increasing productivity. Water fuels your brain. The human brain is made up of 73% water, so staying hydrated is especially essential for maintaining optimal brain activity.
Most people have their coffee first thing in the morning but, although it is a good source of antioxidants, it is also dehydrating. A glass of hot water with lemon or a tea could be a better option, at least early in the morning.
The essential carbohydrates and proteins that you consume on a daily basis are metabolised and transported by the water you consume throughout the day. Having a sufficient amount of water in your system will help fire up your metabolism.
Wash your face
Wash your face with a facial cleanser. Throughout the day and night, excess oils, dirt, and impurities can build up on the surface of your skin and if you don’t wash these off, they can clog your pores, which can lead to breakouts.
Use a moisturiser afterwards and add a bit of serum to make your skin look brighter. Something as simple as this little hygiene routine can make you feel more prepared for the day.
Have a good breakfast
Not all breakfasts can look like this! But preparing a nice and easy breakfast like peanut butter and banana on toast or something you can make the night before, like overnight oats, might prevent you from skipping breakfast entirely.
Another good option is to make simple individual ingredients, like a fried egg, mashed avocado and toast, and have a quick but nutritious breakfast.
Remember, nutrient-dense foods are the best to start the day with energy and feel full for longer. Nutrient-dense foods are those that have a high nutrient content for the number of calories they contain.
An example of a nutritional breakfast: Avocado, some veggies (for example, spinach), smoked salmon and eggs on toast, plus a bit of cheese, seeds and nuts as a topping. A piece of fruit or natural fruit juice, followed by a tea, coffee or even water again, no harm!
For vegetarian or vegan options you can substitute the eggs and salmon for white beans and tofu and the cheese for vegan cheese, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast (which has a nice cheesy flavour) or leave it out.
Create a schedule for your day
When we have something to do later in the day, we organise ourselves better, and we make sure we get done what we need to before we go out. Meeting with a friend, having a business meeting, or just having a plan to go for a walk in your schedule, might help you stay productive throughout the day.
Check in with friends
There is a lot of negative press around social media and the news at the moment, that they contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm. Why not regain control of your social media use by purposely using it to connect with friends and family in a meaningful way, with a focused chat conversation, private message or a phone call. It’s bound to lift both your and their spirits.
Sylvia will be back with us in two weeks with an article on sleep, make sure you keep an eye out for that.
About Sylvia
Sylvia is a Health and Fitness Professional specialising in the areas of Nutrition, Fitness, Wellbeing and Dance. Sylvia will be contributing articles on exercise and wellness here at Happy Magazine and we are delighted to have her.
Sylvia runs her own fitness and nutrition coaching service called Fit with Sylvia and occasionally holds events where she promotes a healthy lifestyle, especially for busy professionals.
Sylvia has had her own personal struggles with illness – an eating disorder from her early career as an international fashion model – and knows the importance of maintaining a healthy body as well as a healthy mind. For more on Sylvia, visit her website www.fitwithsylvia.com, Instagram @fit.with.sylvia and Facebook Fit with Sylvia.
