This post is sponsored by Burt’s Bees. All words and photos are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep us cooking!
After such a positive response to this post that I wrote last month, I’m back with some more healthy little tips – this time I’m giving a little sneak peak at what my morning routine looks like. Yours might be more or less busy/hectic than mine – I work from home and don’t have kids to get off to school – but hopefully there are a couple of tidbits in here to inspire.
1. Wake up & take a sec to cuddle with the dog.
I’m one of those people that doesn’t need an alarm clock because we have 2 hungry dogs that wake us up pretty early. After they’re fed, the little one bounds back in and lays by my head. They say dogs can help lower anxiety so before I get up to start my to-do list, I make a point to pause and take an extra minute to cuddle with the pup.
2. Fuel up on a protein shake to start the day.
With 15 grams of plant-based protein and 4.5 servings of vegetables,* Burt’s Bees™ Protein + Healthy Radiance is a healthy way to embrace the day. Their formula is carefully crafted from a mix of pea, rice, oat, flaxseed and sunflower seed protein. I mix it with water or almond milk, or blend it into my favorite smoothie. I prefer the vanilla flavor but it comes in chocolate as well. While I drink my shake, I usually finish up that day’s blog post and take a first pass through my email.
3. Skip the gym and go for a walk outside instead.
I have an old injury that prevents me from doing high impact workouts, but I love to walk. It’s not only great exercise but it helps me clear my head and work through whatever problems or projects I might be working on. I swear more “ah ha” moments happen during my morning walk than any other time of day. Weather permitting, I like to walk as many mornings as I can.
4. Breakfast!
By at least 10am, I’m hungry for a post-walk breakfast. It’s not always the same, but it usually involves avocados. They say that healthy fats are good for the brain and skin. I make my avocado toast with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt. Sometimes I sprinkle on some nutritional yeast and hemp seeds as well.
5. Take a few minutes to clean up my work space.
Ok, to be honest I wrote this one here as a reminder for myself because I typically have 7 empty glasses and a bazillion post-it notes all over my desk. I’m not a neat worker, but I feel SO much better if I can take 5 minutes to tidy up my desk space before diving into work for the day. Next year’s goal will be to do this clean-up before I end the work day, but for now, baby steps.
Do you have a morning routine that works for you? Let me know!
*Based on vitamin content. 4.5 servings of fruits and vegetables would be needed to reach 25% Daily Value of Vitamins A, C, E, K and the B vitamins listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel.
Thanks for sharing! I’m currently designing a wake-up light alarm clock, Lark, so I’ve been giving a lot of thought to my morning routine. I usually hit snooze first thing in the morning. Then I get up and grab some coffee. I then either take a cold shower or meditate.
I think the most important part of your morning routine is to be consistent. Find what works for you and stick to it.
Thanks for share these 5 valuable tips which can help us to keep healthy and fit. I also searching some other useful tips. Thanks a lot Sir
Yes. Especially the dog part!
ha, thanks 🙂
No 1 i love it, I used to have a dog, and he left the house a few years ago and until now I still miss him :’)
nairooo
http://breaktime.site/
Are you ready for another one? It hurts so much when they leave us. But they leave space for one more to be rescued…. 🙂
No 3 is spot on! My husband recently started a job, where he leaves the house before my 5:40 alarm goes off (and gets home just in time for a later family dinner). With three small children, I am no longer able to go for an early morning walk or run. I miss it so much, and try as I might during the day, I simply can’t find the time to fit it in. With my own full-time job and 1.5 hours spent in commuting a day, I hope I can figure out a way to reclaim the quiet alone time. I am hopeful that with the earlier sunrises, I might manage to start at 5 am., rather than my old 6 a.m. Summer cannot come soon enough!
thanks :). Wow, sounds like you are doing an amazing job!
I am totally up for the post-walk breakfast. I’ve always been an early bird, so I normally have my morning oatmeal at around 6:30 am… and by 10 I’m hungry again!
I’m quite fond of my morning routine: breakfast, morning run, second-breakfast…then I go out and start working after lunch. For me too, going for a walk or anyway staying outdoors is essential! It helps me clear my mind!
Great tips 😉 Thank you
I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves second breakfast 🙂
Great tips, thank you! These are some things I definitely need to put into practice asap.
cuddling a dog is a real good tip. Amidst our busy schedule we keep forgetting and missing things to take care of us and get things going. This post has got me on track.
agreed! Thanks, I hope this post was helpful 🙂
Love this post.
I also love the idea of going for a walk outside – sounds so refreshing! x
Izzy |http://www.pinchofdelight.com
thanks Izzy!
Cuddling my cats is one of my favourites things to do in the morning and throughout the day when I need a small pause 🙂
that’s so sweet, I feel the same way 🙂
My dogs always get me up in the morning too, because they love their daily pre-dawn walks, but before I even get out of bed I have to do a quick stretching routine (knees to chest, ankle to knee on each side, legs straight up with ankle rotation, and finally a complete body stretch with arms overhead). As I’ve aged these simple stretches make a world of difference in getting up and about easily! I also make sure to drink some water before going out the door to get myself hydrated.
That’s a great tip – I should try your morning stretches.
Your dog is so cute! I would love to know what kind it is?
Thanks! She’s a shiba inu.
Being a dog lover, a morning person, and a health coach, I really love this post Jeanine. Appreciate reading your perspectives on everyday wellness and getting a glimpse of a day-in-the-life. Thank you for sharing with us!!!
thanks Katie!
My morning routine is luckily for me pretty slow too : walk or sun salutation, tea, then some coffee (don’t know about healthy on that one but I LOVE my coffee !!!) then eatinf fruits and coconut yogurt or toasts, reading a book (no screens before 10AM) and then working.
I love your sweet routine even if I am not sure the protein shake is so an “healthy” option. The nutritionnal studies show that in USA and europe we eat too much protein (even the plant based’s eaters) and that it is damaging for our kidney…
I love your no screen before 10am rule!
I also have an automatic alarm clock triggered by pets 🙂 No need for an alarm when I get our dear feline jumping on my face every morning!
Ha, it’s the best way, well sort of 🙂
the Burt’s Bees link isn’t working for me…you may want to double check it
thanks for pointing that out!
We have really similar morning routines! I’m such a believer in dog cuddles and the health benefits of it! I always make sure to take time when I wake up and before going to bed for a little pup cuddle time! Walking him in the morning and getting some fresh air as the sun rises is one of favorite things about the morning!
Caitlin
http://www.wandererandwolf.com
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Love these tips, especially the cuddle the dog tip 🙂
Rachael xx.
theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk
🙂 🙂
There’s nothing like having to get a kid up and ready for school to force one to stick to a schedule. But once the bus goes by, it’s a great opportunity to get an early start, especially for a workout in summer, when it gets hot later.
Tip number 1 is the BEST!!!!!
thank you! 🙂