Living a balanced life starts with your mornings. We've partnered with My Clarins to show you how a few simple steps, and the new My Clarins skincare products, can keep you feeling refreshed and energised all day long.
We've all been there: two snooze buttons past our wake-up call and suddenly it's a mad morning dash that leaves us feeling like we're playing catch-up for the rest of the day. If this sounds like your routine on a daily basis, it's time to rethink your approach. After all, how you start your morning can set the tone — and your mood — for every waking hour following. But don't worry, we're not here to preach sunrise yoga or a 45-minute bullet journaling session (although major kudos to whoever can accomplish those!). Instead, we're offering easy, approachable tweaks that can be incorporated into even the busiest of schedules but that will leave you feeling at the top of your game.
Making your headspace a priority first thing is crucial to having your best day and feeling like your best self. Whether you accomplish one or all of the simple steps we're suggesting ahead, carving out as little as a few minutes in your routine just for yourself is a productive way to take back your mornings. Read on for our favorite mood-boosting rituals to help you lead a balanced, healthier, and happier life.
Do Some Light Stretching to Get Your Blood Flowing
We know fitting in a morning workout is a commitment. But luckily, there's an easy alternative to getting your body moving and your energy up in the early hours, and it doesn't even require you to change out of your pajamas: stretching. In addition to increasing blood flow right away, a simple stretch sequence can help loosen any tension or tight muscles, whether from sleep or stress. We suggest this 10-minute sequence to ease into the day.
Bonus round: If you're feeling particularly sprightly, knock out a few series of sun salutations to get your heart rate up.
Tune In to a Meditation App
Now that you've got your body primed, it's time to focus on your mind. A meditation app is perfect for this. Many apps offer guided meditations and allow you to set a timer for your session. Even spending as little as three minutes a day clearing your mind or honing your breathing technique can do wonders for your mental health, including easing stress and anxiety and boosting energy and focus.
Bonus round: Commit to a longer session. If you were doing three-minute meditations before, now try five!
Use Skin-Energising Products
No doubt getting ready is already part of your existing routine, but there's an easy way to get even more out of the process. How? By making your morning skincare products work for you. The key is to look for invigorating formulas that help you and your skin perk up. Start by using the refreshing My Clarins Purifying Cleansing Gel to ensure you're starting with a squeaky-clean canvas. Next, follow up by applying the My Clarins Refreshing Hydrating Cream, which contains radiant-boosting ingredients like acerola seeds and energy-boosting ingredients like organic coconut water and goji berries to serve as a wake-up call. It's like a splash of cold water to the face, but better, because it provides non-stop hydration and energy so you can look and feel your best all day long.
Bonus round: For an even bigger morning boost, try spraying the My Clarins Hydrating Beauty Mist, which also features the skin-stimulating acerola seeds and coconut water, before you apply the cream. This will help prep your skin for maximum product absorption as well as add a double dose of hydration for radiant, healthy-looking skin.
Make Yourself a Power Breakfast
There's a reason they call breakfast the most important meal of the day. Filling up on something nutritious and protein-packed first thing in the morning will help raise your energy level and increase your focus so you can power through that to-do list. A breakfast smoothie only takes five minutes to whip up but will leave your body feeling nourished for long after. We like this recipe for its use of common refrigerator staples (no last-minute runs to the grocery store required!); plus, these ingredients pull double duty by addressing your nutritional and skin health. With vitamin-E-rich spinach and avocado, skin-brightening strawberries and almond butter, and antioxidant-rich grapes, you'll be able to load up on essential protein and fibre, while clearing your skin from the inside out.
Bonus round: If you have extra time, pack a nutritious lunch to go as well!
Write Down Your Intentions For the Day
There's a good chance that your head is spinning with every small task you need to complete before you even get out of bed. While making a lengthy to-do list may seem intuitive, even productive, in this instance, we suggest starting with an activity that's similar, but can actually help lower your stress level instead of adding to it. Identifying and writing down positive intentions, rather than the mundane tasks that need to be accomplished, is a powerful way to approach the day with mindfulness. Intentions such as spending time doing something that makes you happy or showing appreciation for a loved one allow you to focus on the larger picture, encourage personal development, and empower you to go after what you want today and every day.
Bonus round: Advance to expressing gratitude and jot down three things that you're grateful for right now. Think: your health, your relationships, your good skin day — it can be anything!