MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MORNING

Replace get-up-and-go with rise and reflect. These easy-to-follow morning rituals, all of which take just 15 minutes or less, will help…

- MIRIAM HABTESELLASIE

We’ve all felt the pressure of the morning rush. From flying out the door with a gym kit and half a piece of toast in hand to the manic pace of the school run, there’s always a last-minute addition to a lunchbox or a stray tie that needs to be searched for – and it’s hard not to feel stress levels rising as we try to squeeze everything in against the clock.

The good news is that, by setting our alarms just 15 minutes earlier than usual and carving out some dedicated ‘me time’ each morning – something 43% of Brits argue they don’t have enough of* – we can channel our inner zen and become more resilient to the everyday challenges that life throws at us. Yes, those dark winter mornings don’t exactly inspire you to spring out of bed before you really have to, but working on our happiness levels is something we can’t leave to chance.

It’s not all about elaborate yoga routines and specialist equipment. Incorporating small, simple daily rituals into your morning routine to set your positive intentions for the day ahead can have a big effect on your overall wellness over time. One study** showed that people who performed rituals before job interviews, sport matches and similar saw their anxiety levels decrease and their performance levels increase.

‘Starting the day with a moment of observing and listening to your breath or making a mindful note of things you’re grateful for automatically shifts the mind and body to a positive mode before the day has even started – rather like creating a ball of inner sunshine – to protect, to sustain,to heal,’ says Mira Manek (pictured below), author of Prajña: Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness. ‘The rituals could be anything – just a few moments to yourself to get your mind into calm mode.’

So, if you’re ready, why not try some of the rituals from the book?