In light of the World Economic forum's report last week that revealed how the most successful people start their day, we asked expert nutritionist and yoga teacher Madeleine Shaw to give us her top tips on how we should be starting our mornings in the winter.
Madeline Shaw
As the days get colder and darker, we can begin to feel sluggish and unproductive. Our morning regimes are the best way to ensure we have the healthiest, most productive day in winter, says Madeleine. I make sure I do the following every morning to make sure I have the happiest, healthiest day possible:
Drink water -After 8 hours sleep, your body will be dehydrated, which is the biggest cause of fatigue. When dehydrated, the fluid lost causes a drop in blood volume, so the body functions slow down and result in that sluggish feeling. Wake up and hydrate before you caffeine-ate - I use my BRITA Fill&Go as it keeps me going until the afternoon.
Stretch - Yoga boasts many of the same benefits of hydration, including increased energy, brain power and alertness. Yoga in the morning is a great way to wake up your mind and body, my top stretches are:
Horse stance: The horse stance allows all the muscles of the upper body to balance out, relax and improve posture. This pose also strengthens the entire hormonal system, which leads to more energy, healthier hair, skin and nails and generally a more vitalised and resilient body. Drinking water has the same effect, so make sure you're sipping a bottle such as the Fill&Go before and after this movement to enhance the benefits.
Warrior 2 : This pose is wonderful for the immune system as it opens up the armpits, throat, and groin. It is also very good for the digestion as it stimulates the abdominal organs . Great for battling the winter bulk!
Breakfast: Eating the right breakfast is essential for starting your day properly. Try my pecan and pomegranate porridge as a healthy alternative to a winter warmer breakfast:
200g of Gluten free Porridge Oats
100ml BRITA filtered Water
1 litre of Rude Health Brown Rice Milk
2 Vanilla Beans Scraped
1 tsp of Cinnamon
4 tbsp of Maple Syrup
1 Pomegranate
100g of Toasted Pecans
Warm the oats, milk, vanilla bean, cinnamon, maple syrup and a tiny pinch of salt, stir with the filtered water.
Top with a handful of pomegranate seeds per bowl, toasted pecans and a dust of cinnamon.
The BRITA Fill&Go bottles is an easy way to make sure you've always got filtered water on-the-go. It can be filled up at any tap and the filter disk will reduce the levels of impurities and chlorine, leaving you with fresh tasting water wherever you are. It is available in blue, green, grey and pink, RRP £14.99.