Confession: I’m a zombie in the morning. I tend to press the snooze button on my alarm for way too many times until it decides to leave me alone.
Hands up if this sounds way too familiar?
If you’ve been following me along on Instagram, you’d have noticed that I’ve started a daily photo series themed #StartYourDayRight. I started it as a commitment to myself to get rid of some bad habits in my morning routine and kill this zombie inside me. What motivated me was that I’ve been spending more days in my week working from home and I simply need to get up and feel ready to kick some butt.
So I’ve come up with a simple formula trying to start my day off right and bright. On a mission to help you do the same (and also to publicly shame myself if I reach for the snooze button again), here I’m sharing the 5 things I’ve committed to do to kick-start my day in wellness. Psst – be sure to read all the way towards the end of post to enter our GIVEAWAY!
♥ 1. Good food karma
You are indeed what you eat and breakfast is no doubt the most crucial meal to set you the right mood for the day. Some rules I live by when preparing breakfast include:
♣ Make it nutritious and yummy! Add lots of superfood such as acai, raw cacao, chia seeds and kale.
♣ Make it visually pleasing and colourful. Superfood such as beetroot, kale or spinach are all great for adding a pop of naturally vibrant colour to your breakfast bowl. Seasonal fruits such as berries and nectarines can also add some vivid hues to your plate (check out my Grilled Fruit with raw vegan Banana Nice-Cream recipe here). This helps to wake up your senses as well as your taste buds!
♣ Make it simple! Do some preparation work like chopping fruits and vegetables the night before do you don’t have to slave yourself in the kitchen in the morning.
♣ Make it easy to carry for those hectic mornings when you’re on the go. Dump plastic containers or zip lock bags and opt for glasses. I love my hipster mason jars as they simply make my breakfast oh-so-Instagram-worthy as well as being eco-friendly without any trace of plastic!
♥ 2. But first, lemon water!
Juice half a lemon and drink it with a glass of warm water delivers heaps of health benefits for your digestive system, helps maintain happy skin and acts as a little immune system boost. It also puts you in a habit of hydrating your body before reaching for your favourite caffeinated drinks that actually dehydrates you. This is now the very first thing I do when I jump out of bed before brushing my teeth and showering. I love to leave at least 30 minutes between drinking my lemon water and having my breakfast to allow my body the time to restore and regenerate. On some days, I even feel that the lemon drink gives me a mini boost of energy that suppresses my craving for caffeine – what a win!
♥ 3. Stretch like a cat
If there’s one good habit we can learn from a cat’s life, it has to be their regular stretching sessions.
Before I jump out of bed, I give myself the biggest hug by folding my arms around my knees, hold for 5 seconds and then stretch my arms and legs as far as I can reach – I called this ‘the cat pose’. Repeat for 5 times, finish with a big deep breath, put your hands on your heart and say ‘Namaste’. I guarantee you’ll feel loved and your mind will be filled with endless positive vibes! Practice with your cat is optional but highly recommended.
♥ 4. Nourish your skin
Set your morning skincare routine according to the season and stick to it when you found the right formula that works. I’ve previously shared my simple 3-step toxin-free winter skincare routine here. These days, I’m all about rosehip oil. Rosehip oil is my holy grail multi-use products for those busy morning. I use it as a primer to prep and nourish my skin, a highlighter for my cheekbones and a natural lip treatment that gives a hint of shine to my pout (I’ve detailed my 7 smart girl’s tips on how to use rosehip oils in your beauty routine here).
It’s all about finding the winning skincare routine that’s most suited to your skin type, toxin-free, easy to apply in the morning and delivers results.
♥ 5. Treat your senses
I love indulging my senses by burning pure essential oils on my diffuser while putting my makeup on and getting dressed. There’s just something oh-so-uplifting about surrounding yourself in a cloud of your favourite aroma! My currently obsessed oil for the morning is wild orange which is citrusy, fresh and crisp. Wild orange is actually a powerful cleanser and purifying agent to promote overall mental health. I put 3 to 4 drops in my diffuser while also having a drop in the palm of my hand and the back of my neck.
I’m currently in my week 4 of practising these simple morning routines. Although I’m still far from calling myself a morning person, without a doubt I feel my energy has been more abundant when my alarm sets off. I feel excited for jumping out of bed just to dig into my decadent acai bowls! But I need YOU to keep me accountable and disciplined. I’ll keep updating my #StartYourDayRight diary on Instagram and feel free to give me a slap on the face if you feel I’ve been slacking off!
Feeling inspired to #StartYourDayRight too? I’m helping you to become a merry morning person! We’ve partnered with CrazySales.com.au for your chance to WIN this swanky-looking Ultrasonic Cool Mist Air Humidifier in Dark Wood which doubles as a fragrance diffuser – all for making you wake you happy!
Simply enter our GIVEAWAY in the form below & bon chance! ⇓⇓
Terms & Conditions:
1. Prize is for 1 x Ultrasonic Cool Mist Air Humidifier (RRP $59.97)
2. Entries open to Australian Residents only and close on 12am 18th November 2015.
3. Comments on blog and shares via Facebook is required.
4. This is a contest of creativity & skills, the most creative entry will be chosen as the winner.
5. Prize will be shipped by Crazy Sales to the winner, however Crazy Sales will take no responsibility for the package once it has been shipped.
6. The winners is required to post a photo of the prize and share it on social media with a link to the product page here.
So tell me dear lovelies, are you ready to get rid of that morning zombie inside you? Have you found the best ways to kick-start the healthiest and happiest day in your life? What is your winning formula to start your day off right? Sharing is loving so be sure to leave your tips and comments below. Don’t forget to start snapping your merry morning moments and tag your photos using #StartYourDayRight & #LacenRufflesLife to get the tribes inspired!
Till next time. Stay merry and be well.
Disclaimer: this story was written in collaboration with Crazy Sales while all opinions are genuinely our own. Many thanks for supporting our advertisers who make providing free and interesting content to you all possible!
ah i’m such a huge fan of morning routines. and i totally agree with you on having a yummy and healthy breakfast, it really helps me to get the day right! 🙂
Hey Tiffany, absolutely! There’s just something so satisfying about having a tasty and nutritious breakfast that puts a smile on your face 🙂 And London town is a place that’s never short of wonderful breakfast spots!
My morning routine is about to undergo a shakeup.. hubby and I want to incorporate more exercise into each day which has been challenging as we have 4 little ones and both work. So we hope to have and morning routine that will allow us and the kids to get out door with minimal fuss 😉
WOW that’s serious dedication Lauren! I don’t have little ones but I can imagine how hard it can be to drag them out for exercise. Thanks for getting me motivated!
a 10km morning run.
Wow that’s dedication! Where do you run? And do you have breakfast before or after?
I start my day off with a big bowl of All Bran & some iced coffee to wash it down, keeps me going until lunchtime. Having a good breakfast is essential to kickstart your day!
Great choice with All Bran, I made mine super fancy and top it with bananas, yoghurt, dried coconut flakes and goji berries – NOM 🙂
I #StartYourDayRight with a hug and wrestle with my dog! Nothing cheers me to then get motivated for the day like that unconditional love!
Awww how cute! I must say your dog is pretty lucky too to get so much affection from you 🙂 I wish I had a cat and I would do the same and get a cat cuddle when I wake up.
I start my day afresh with my favourite SUKIN facial cleanser and moisturiser, a cup of fresh fruit juice instead of coffee and a bowl of yogurt with muesli.
That sounds like my kind of morning! 🙂 I’ve got my husband onto using SUKIN face cleanser and now he’s hooked, he likes how it’s non oily.
By emptying out all I put in the previous day, to start afresh albeit a bit lighter!
And to my wife who I know will read this, see I told you I could word it nicely lol
I start my day right with a brisk hour long walk at the crack of dawn. Clears my head as well as firms my backside.
A big sloppy kiss and cuddle from my 19 month old really puts me in a happy mood for the rest of the day!
I always start my day with a positive thought. “Today’s going to be a great day”, “I’m so lucky I can do the work I love” or it might be something as small as “I’m alive”. Positivity has a huge impact on our actions and I find it useful to put on a smile even if it’s the last thing I feel like doing because 9/10 it’ll turn into a real smile 🙂
I really need to take these tips on board, especially making breakfast super yum, at the minute all I’m having is a slice of toast!!!
http://ruthyb1.blogspot.co.uk/
Who needs an alarm clock when you can have an overactive Cavoodle bounce on you, ready for her morning walk!
A brisk walk followed by a healthy breakfast. Best way to boost my energy in the morning!
A little positive think and smilingface with my honey green tea and two slices whole grain toasted breads is my routine every morning. Life is beautiful and enjoying every moment.
I love to wake up and do some light yoga poses then do some mindfulness in the shower
I #StartYourDayRight with a healthy breakfast of fruit, yogurt ad cereal (or bacon, depends on how motivated I am) then go for a 4km run. If i don’t follow this routine I’m lost for the rest of the day.
I always drink hot water with lemon first thing in the morning. It really helps you starting your day in the best way possible.
That humidifier is so incredibly beautiful!!
What a great Blog! Thank you for being so informative- Love reading your posts!!
I #StartYourDayRight by waking each day with a smile and excitement. As a Wildlife Rescuer, I am surrounded by my biggest passion… our beautiful Australian Wildlife!
I begin by eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast with some freshly squeezed juice (from my home grown veggies.. I love mixing different ingredients and creating my own juices !!)- This gives me so much energy which I require for the full day ahead of me!
I then start my day by caring, and bottle feeding the little ones in my care, and this often involves rehabilitation and socialization (teaching them how to forage and search for their own food prior to release) .. surrounding myself with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, wombats, possums and even lizards… knowing that is ahead of me… how can I not #StartYourDayRight 🙂
I start the day with a healthy breakfast, then I take my doggie for a walk followed by a shower. This always gets me in a good mood and ready to tackle the day.
I always start my dad with a healthy piece of fruit and a cuddle and kiss from my gorgeous toddler, those two things make my day magical
I mean day lol
Hahaha how I love your typo Jess! 🙂 You’re one lucky lady with your little mini me xx
#StartYourDayRight – I wish!! I’m too busy ironing, packing bags and making lunches to even have breakfast! I #StartYourDayRight once I drop the kids off to school and I can relax 🙂
#StartYourDayRight I start the day being grateful for everything in my life, warm lemon water, brisk walk, shower, fresh juice and yogurt smoothie, then work love my life
I take my son to school and I eat an apple along the way. It’s TREEmendous for health!
I like to start my day with a 10 minute stretch so I feel better physically. It relaxes my body and I do lots of deep breaths.
Love starting my day right with some healthy breakfast too. Hard to give up that morning coffee but Im willing to try lemon water to get my day starting right.
Try it Nat and I hope you’ll feel the goodness of starting your day off with lemon water! I’ve been sticking to it since I returned from my trip a week ago and it’s given my body a good cleanse. I’m actually on 2 litres of lemon water per day at the moment. 🙂
Wow – before I answer the question I just want to thank you for having such an awesome giveaway…I have been dying to get a humidifier…so I wish everyone good luck but I’ll have my fingers crossed too.
The first thing I do of a morning is make myself a strong cup of tea….sorry…that’s a lie! I usually wake up with my cat nuzzling my face wanting to be fed – so he comes first…then my cuppa – followed by my morning facial cleansing routine which I thoroughly enjoy and it really wakes me up for the day and invigorates my skin…removing the swollen eye look and the ghostly-pale skin.
Awww how lucky are you Juanita to get a cat cuddle! I need one!
How annoying is it waking up to swollen eyes right? Though I love my lemon water it’s still to hard to shake off the need of a cuppa in the morning. I’m swapping to green tea as a healthier alternative that’s also packed with antioxidants.
Best of luck & thanks a bunch for stopping by x
J
I list 10 things I’m grateful for before I even get out of bed! It starts my day off right. 🙂
Love this! Awesome share Christina and what a positive way to #StartYourDayOffRight! I just read about how happy people are always appreciative and not afraid to express how they feel.
I start my day by giving my husband a cuddle. He’s much more likely to be the one to get up for the baby that way…! And it sets the tone of love and warmth for the rest of the day.
I jump in the shower within a minute of waking up. #StartYourDayRight
Water, water, water! Drink plenty of water and jump in the shower, 30 seconds before you get out turn the water to cold…it feels FREEZING BUT FANTASTIC! Your skin feels amazing afterwards and it definitely wakes you up lol.
I start my day by washing my face with orange infused products! Wakes me straight up! #StartYourDayRight
by making sure i wake up feeling rested
My day starts with my 9 month old snuggling up in bed with me for a feed and a cuddle, then a nice healthy breakfast with her two big sisters and a stroll to school.
A little positive thinking and my favorite natural skincare products are my routine everyday morning. As a mum, I do love sharing my happy face with my family. Life is beautiful with love .
I start my day with my cat waking me up so I get a few cuddles then coffee,packing lunches and time for some fruit for breakfast!
I totally agree that food is super important to kick start any super day! Chia seeds are my personal favourite as they are yummy, nutritious and keep me feeling full.
A healthy berry smoothie helps to kick-start my day as well as a hot shower!
I stretch before I get out of bed, always make me feel better.
The best way to #startyourdayright is to wake up on the right side of bed and start the day with positivity!
I start my day with a homemade fresh smoothie to give me my boost for the day
I find it an effort, but a big breakfast of good quality protein, fats and greens sets me up for a great day with little to no snacking.
A healthy and nutritious breakfast and 15 minutes earlier to spend time with my family #StartYourDayRight
I #StartYourDayRight with a big cup of coffee and a smile from my son!
Having just come back from Byron Bay, I’ve realised how much I need a humidifier here in SA. Our air is so dry & dehydrating! This would be perfect for clearing my sinuses & keeping me uplifted through the day.
I start my day with a big bowl of yogurt and some berries.Having a good healthy nutritious breakfast is essential to get through my day without feeling tired and run down.
With a cup of coffee. If I don’t have one the day just doesn’t work out right!
#StartYourDayRight? I start my day with 15 minutes of meditation and then oatmeal and berry shake
I haven’t been the best so have been forgoing my usual morning walk (as it’s been raining all week as well)….but I still start my day with a multi-berry yoghurt & a glass of homemade ginger keifer & some yoga stretches. #startyourdayright!
Most mornings I put on my gym gear and do a Jillian Michales workout….gets the blood pumping and makes me feel great all day
Go to the Loo
Make a tea
Put on some incense
Have a shower and shave
Get dressed
Have some fruit and muesli
Watch my chi unravel as the kids wake up!
As soon as my eyes open, I breathe in the day, but first I start with cereal, packed with nuts and fruit and a glass of fresh OJ.
My morning is all about getting my four kids breakfast and lunch and off to school then a quiet coffee.
I start my day right for being Thankful, enjoying the sun rising over the trees and hearing all the wildlife coming alive for the day, then the children wake up and the real noise starts hehehe 😉
I #StartYourDayRight with some meditation and yoga, it’s a habit I got into a few years back, I was depressed and it helped me find my way back out of the greyness. I have found the meditation so relaxing and calming and then the yoga stretching sets me up for the day ahead.
#StartYourDayRight…the very first thing when i wake up is turn and gaze on my partner as he sleeps. Brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. Makes me thankful for my wonderful life.