Mornings can be tough, and all too often, we get through breakfast feeling groggy and rushed—or worse, skip it altogether. With summertime in full swing, I’m determined to make the most of these longer days by upping my morning game. To start strong, I switched up my usual after-work drinks meet up by inviting a few friends to get together before work for an energizing morning happy hour. To take my brekkie bash (and love of anything Australian) to the next level, I teamed up with noosa yoghurt to show my girls how easy it is to set ourselves up for a great day. With some high- energy music, a little sunshine, and noosa’s tropical deliciousness, we were able to walk out the door all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to tackle the day. Read on to see how we did it, and our best morning routine tips.
Photos via Hannah Haston Photography
1. Be around people who bring out the best in you.
Being around upbeat, positive personalities instantly makes a difference in my mood and productivity levels. Whenever I’m feeling unmotivated or down, my friends’ encouragement and ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ attitudes quickly help me to bounce back. Starting the morning by connecting with the uplifting people in my life sets a solid foundation for a great day ahead.
2. Indulge in delicious, energizing food.
My fave thing to stock the fridge with for breakfast or a mid-day pick-me-up is noosa yoghurt. The all-natural ingredients, thick, velvety texture, and delicious flavor combos are unlike any other yoghurt out there. They even have pieces of real, juicy fruits mixed in. And, since it’s all made on a local Colorado farm with milk from cows not treated with hormones, I know it’s safe for my body. We loved swirling the different flavors together to create the perfect combo, but also was able to savor the flavors one at a time thanks to the new separated tubs. This week’s morning happy hour favorite: coconut & pineapple, mixed with blueberry & lemon. Sweet, tart, and tropical!
3. Hydrate (& Caffeinate!)
Before I go to bed, I place a big glass of water on my bedside table to have ready for when I wake up. I feel like it really clears my head and gets my blood flowing. And, no morning is complete without my coffee and almond milk, of course! I’ve always been on the morning coffee train for obvious reasons, and all its other benefits totally validate my occasional afternoon cup too –(I’m all about efficiency, and coffee is a fab multi-tasker for my mental and physical wellbeing.) When I need to ditch the caffeine, I swap it out for a green juice. Organic cold-pressed juice replenishes my body of essential nutrients and makes me feel like a champ.
4. Get Moving.
I’m a much better person when I get a workout and a good stretch in before tackling anything on my to-do list, even if it’s a quick 10-minute jog around my neighborhood. If breaking a sweat in the morning means I will be more present and positive throughout the day, I’ll always try to make it happen. Science backs me up on this, too. If you’re not the ‘wake and sweat’ type, try committing to a week of morning workouts, and sticking to it. Chances are you’ll realize what a game changer it is, and wonder why it took you so long to start!
5. Create a Positive Mindset.
There’s often so much happening in the morning that we forget how important it is to establish a positive headspace first. Meditating for 10 minutes when I wake up helps to ground my thoughts and develop a positive intention for the day. When hundreds of thoughts start racing through my head later on, I try to come back to my intention and ask myself if my actions are supporting it. This helps me stay positive, focused, and goal-oriented throughout the day. If meditating isn’t for you, just sitting outside helps, too. Being outside in natural sunlight first thing in the morning works to balance our circadian rhythm and stimulate the brain. Once my mind is awake and set that it’s going to be a great day, I am ready to rock-and-roll.
Have you tried noosa’s latest flavors? Share tips from your morning routine and check out noosa’s website to find the new flavors near you!
