Make Every Day Your Favourite Day
A good day starts with a great morning routine, one that includes healthy habits, some quiet reflective time, and successful and effective routines. I truly believe that how you spend your morning reflects on the rest of the day; so if you have a super morning, the day ahead is off to a great start.
I’ve started to get into a routine every morning which takes around an hour, so I’ve also included a few tips on how to shorten this routine for those that prefer those extra few minutes in bed! I challenge you to try just one or two of these tips to see how they effect your day – I promise you that you’ll soon see a huge difference in your energy levels, outlook and productivity for the day!
Wake Up Earlier.
It starts with the moment you wake up. If you don’t get out of bed until 10am, 11am, midday, you’re already behind with your daily routine because everyone else has already got so much done. It’s hard to shake those feelings if you wake up late, and already feel behind!
It may take some training to be an early riser, but try setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier once a week, until you’ve trained yourself to make up at your desired time. Once you’ve implemented this every day, you’ll notice it affecting your other habits; you’ll have more energy throughout the day, be more productive, find more time for yourself amongst other things.
With your extra 30 minutes, hour, however much you can manage, ensure that you optimise each moment by doing positive things to kick start your day.
Turn Your Skincare Routine into an Enjoyable Ritual
I used to find skincare a chore. It’s the first thing I do after leaving the bedroom in the morning, and I’d often skip out on steps due to laziness, and a lack of passion for the process.
After reading several books while I’ve been away all about mindfulness, gratitude and other similar topics, they all agree on one thing; that your mindset in the morning is incredibly powerful on how you feel throughout the rest of the day. So by enjoying everything you do in the morning, you’re more likely to have a positive outlook on the rest of the day.
I decided to alter my skincare routine to one that I would enjoy using, and one which I could rely on when it comes to effectiveness on my skin, and long lasting skin benefits. Clinique’s 3 Step Routine is one that I know and trust; in fact it was the very first skincare that I used when I first became obsessed with beauty and skincare. I remember getting the tiny travel set as a free gift with purchase and taking it on holiday with me, and then suddenly I was converted, and my skin has been thankful ever since.
Using a cleanser that requires water and a flannel to remove it is most effective for my skin. I often wake up with a glowing complexion, and the liquid facial soap deeply cleanses my skin without stripping it (a problem I have previously found with soaps specifically for oiler skin types is that they leave my skin feeling tight and parched). Clinique’s range is not one size fits all. There are 4 types of cleanser based on your skin type, so you can tailor your personal skincare ritual to your needs.
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap £16.50
Using toner is something I go through phases with, it’s something that my skin tells me when it needs. Especially now, during the warmer months, my skin needs clarification to sweep away oil and maintain clear skin – avoiding the build up of SPF products, makeup and natural skin oils. As the second part of Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System, I often find the toner to be the difference maker. I rarely exfoliate my skin with grainy scrub as it can be a little harsh, but the Clarifying Lotion which I sweep over my face using a cotton pad, gently exfoliates my skin without any irritation.
Clinique Clarifying Lotion £16.50
Since discovering that your moisturiser choice is one of the greatest factors for how your makeup lasts and sits on your skin during the day, I have set high criteria for my moisturiser of choice. My moisturiser feels like the reward after an enjoyably thorough skincare ritual, so it has to feel luxurious and quenching on my skin. Comfort and hydration are my most important factors, and I choose the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel which gives me both. It’s lightweight but offers plenty of hydration, so my skin gets what it needs, but as it is oil-free my skin feels soft without being oily.
The pump dispenses the perfect amount so I don’t get carried away, I enjoy the ritual of massaging it into my skin, and before you know it, it has sunk into my skin, ready for makeup application to begin.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel £30.00
Make a Nutritious Breakfast
Get Moving
Just 10 minutes of exercise in the morning truly works wonders on your energy levels and positivity throughout the rest of the day. Who else remembers the Legally Blonde quote; ‘Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy!’ Well, it’s true! I love to go to the gym on days when I have more time, but realistically that isn’t often. However I always try to be active for at least 10 minutes each morning. A few favourite things to do include completing a ‘7 minute workout’ from the app of the same name as well as some stretching, or just taking Dexter for a short walk. If I’ve got an early meeting I’ll walk to the tube instead of taking the bus, etc.
Plan Your Day
As well as helping you organise your thoughts, it helps add structure and clarity to your day if you spend a few moments looking over your diary, preparing mentally for the day ahead, and organising your tasks. I am the biggest fan of To Do lists, and take pleasure in scribbling down my day’s tasks. The best advice I’ve recently been given is to tack the small tasks first, anything that takes under one minute – do it immediately. Anything that takes under 5 minutes, do these next. The satisfaction of ticking things off your to do list will give you the motivation to continue!
I challenge you to make a few small positive changes to your morning routine, and promise you you’ll notice a difference in the rest of your day. Trust me, it’s addictive! Starting the day in a positive way is the greatest thing you can do, and these are a few of my favourite ways to kick start each and every day.
Just one change can make a difference, why not start with Clinique’s 3-step system -. discover it for yourself and pop into your nearest Clinique Counter.
xoxo
This post is in collaboration with Clinique #DifferenceMaker
