RISE & SHINE

Mornings. Like marmite, you either love them or hate them. Whether you're a repeat snoozer, an early riser, a long shower in the morning, or a dash out of the door kind of morning person, how you start your day often sets the tone for the rest of your waking hours. Anyone who has ever over-snoozed and hobbled out the door with one shoe on and no coffee in their system can attest to the fact that if you start your morning off on the wrong foot - you’re already behind. That’s why it’s so vital to not only your productivity for the day ahead but to your overall health and wellbeing to practice a morning wellness routine.

Now, the words ‘wellness routine’ can call to mind some elaborate, time-consuming process. But the lifestyle changes we’re talking about making to your mornings could be small or large, anything from pledging to wake up the first time your alarm goes off to cooking yourself a healthy breakfast every day. The goal is to create a habitual routine specific to your lifestyle which ultimately can help you to have better days.

But what exactly does a morning wellness routine look like? Below, Nicola Elliott shares her morning routine and the self-care rituals she swears by.

As aforementioned by Elliott, a good night’s sleep is crucial to setting yourself up for the day ahead. But what if you have trouble sleeping? Chances are your bedtime struggles stem from what you do before you hit the pillow. “After dinner, I try to create a cosy, chilled-out zone by lighting candles and watching TV or reading. I try my best not to fall into a social media hole so try to do things away from my phone,” explains Elliott. “Around 9 pm, I’ll run a bath using the Perfect Night’s Sleep Bath Foam. I practice mindful breathing whilst I soak to help create a sense of calm. I always stay in for at least 20 minutes and lock the door from the kids which is the most important bit! Post bath, I love our Perfect Night’s Sleep Body Oil layered with our Magnesium Body Butter as it leaves my skin super soft and my mind sleep-ready.”

With a successful night’s sleep now on the cards, it’s time to turn our attention to the art of waking up. “I never hit the snooze button. Once my alarm has gone off, I’m up and straight into the shower,” says Elliott. “Waking up and turning straight to your phone to check emails or aimlessly scroll through social media is something I vow not to do. It sends your nervous system into overdrive seeing potentially stressful emails and let’s be honest: mornings can be manic enough! Committing to tech-free mornings has helped me to be more present and begin the day with a more positive and peaceful state of mind.”

When it comes to making your day as productive as possible, Elliott believes in the power of a list. “Writing things down is one of the best ways to keep my brain clear and to help me feel and stay on top of things,” she explains. “I use a journal to write down anything work-related as well as personal to-dos. There’s something quite satisfying about getting things ticked off.”