HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY?

From getting sweaty at the gym to enjoying a moment of calm while watching the kids sleep and even baking fresh bread for breakfast, these women tell us the daily rituals and acts of self-care that help them start their day

‘One of the unexpected and excellent side effects of getting older is that I now wake up naturally around 6am.

Managing to be awake before the emails start arriving is a glorious way to start the day. Every other morning, I make a small batch of buckwheat rolls. It’s an easy two-ingredient recipe – flour and water, plus salt – which means I can be eating delicious homemade bread with my boiled eggs and coffee within 20 minutes of being awake each morning. Then I usually spend a quiet hour reading the papers on my phone.’

Sasha Wilkins, writer and founder

of Liberty London Girl

‘Getting clean makes me feel good at the start of the day. I like Imperial Leather Foamburst Body Wash – it has the consistency of a moisturising cream’ Red reader

‘As soon as I wake up, I go into my children’s bedrooms

– sometimes they’re already awake and sometimes they’re still sleeping. If it’s the latter, I’ll sit on the edge of the bed, watching them. I love how they’ve cocooned themselves in, surrounded by teddies, cushions and often a cat or two. It’s just lovely to take a little moment before the morning begins.’ Sarah Clark, fashion editor and founder of Little Spree

‘My alarm clock goes off

at 4am because I’m a commuter. As I spend a lot of time sitting down on the train and at a desk, I start my day with a run along the beach or a sweaty HIIT class. This really energises me for the day ahead. Then it’s a cup of coffee and a hot shower. If time allows, I’ll apply a five-minute hydrating face mask pre-make-up. I’ve recently swapped Spotify for listening to Apple Podcasts, as a way of being more mindful. My current favourite is Untangle.’ Alice Manning, senior beauty editor, Red

‘I start my day phone in hand.

Terrible, isn’t it? I check two things straight away: the headlines and the weather. From there, it’s straight into an iced latte and a short Tube ride to the gym. I like to start my day by getting my body moving – that way, the hardest physical part of the day is over and done with!’ Emily Johnston, editor and founder of Fashion Foie Gras

‘When I wake up, I try to avoid looking at social media

for as long as possible. I get out of bed, put the coffee on and spend 15 minutes meditating with the Headspace app. It’s a gentle way to go from being groggy to fully conscious. Afterwards, I wash my face, moisturise and use my body brush. If I’m working from home, I go back to bed with a cup of coffee and read. I live by the beach in Kent and can hear the sea from my bedroom. Listening to the waves is my favourite thing; it makes me feel so calm. I used to live beside a Wetherspoons and I can confirm that the sound of the ocean is much more relaxing than drunk people screaming.’ Daisy Buchanan, author and journalist

‘I make the bed straight away so I don’t get back in it. I’m not a morning person, but once I’ve had a coffee and got dressed, I’m ready to be productive’ Alex Stedman, stylist and founder of The Frugality

‘A shower wakes me up and sets me up for the day ahead. I have very dry skin, but my skin didn’t feel dry after using Imperial Leather Foamburst’ Red reader