MAKE THE MOST OF your morning
Scrap the alarm “Waking up to the sound of a loud alarm can be jarring and unpleasant, and could leave you feeling unsettled,” says health expert Dr Meg Arroll (www.drmegarroll. com). “Instead, try a light to naturally nudge your body and mind into the day. You can invest in a natural light alarm clock, or download the ‘wake up light’ app”. If you’re worried you might not wake up with a daylight alarm try downloading apps with more natural, calming sounds of oceans and birdsong, such as the meditation app, Calm. Get up and move exercise releases feel-good hormones to help you feel energised and positive – so an early-morning workout could do you the world of good. “Even as little as 15 mins of exercise a day can be enough to trigger it,” says health expert Dr Dan Jones (www.reviveactive.com). If you’re really short on time, energise yourself before you even step out of bed with a three-minute stretch session. “Stretch every bit of your body while breathing deeply from your abdomen (which will lift on the inhale and dip on the exhale) to start the day feeling calm and grounded,” says Dr Dan.