As you wake up each morning, there is a great opportunity to start your day in an effective way with three simple routines:

  1. Tummy Breathing

Tummy breathing is easy to do and very relaxing. Try this basic exercise while you are still laying in bed before you get up. You can also practice it anytime during the day when you need to relax or relieve stress.

• Sit or lie flat in a comfortable position.
• Put one hand on your tummy, just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest.
• Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. Your chest should not move. Breathe with the diaphragm. The air you breathe in through your nose should go all the way down in your belly.
• Then breathe out through pursed lips as if you were whistling. Feel the hand on your belly go in, and use it to push all the air out.
• Do this breathing 3 to 10 times. Take your time with each breath.
• Notice how you feel at the end of the exercise. Ready to start your day!
  

  2. Waking up with positive intention

  Having a glass-half-full mindset and embracing a positive attitude as you wake up in the morning, will set you up for a great day! Look at yourself in the mirror and say “You’re the Best!”, and mean it! Have a smile on your face and this will infuse your body with positivity. One small positive thought first thing in the morning has the power to transform your whole day.

  3. Drink a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar

  Place one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. You may sweeten it with a little honey if you wish. (The first time I drank this drink I didn’t particularly like it. I had it unsweetened. But now, I love it and really look forward to it each morning. I prefer it without any sweetener).  

  Have this drink before you eat your breakfast. Aside from its body cleansing benefits, drinking diluted raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar is believed to help detoxify and cleanse your liver. It is also anti-inflammatory and great for digestion. It can stop the blood sugar levels spiking during the day. Some people believe it can assist in weight loss, but I think there are plenty of health benefits already. If you find it helps to lose weight as well, then its an added bonus.

  Ensure you always mix it in a glass of warm water. Never drink it by itself as you could burn your esophagus. Don’t over do it and a word of caution;

  To stay safe and prevent any possible side effects, it’s important to monitor the amount you consume and be careful with how you take it. While a small amount of vinegar is good, more isn’t better and may even be harmful. (I never have more than a dessertspoonful of it in water in a day.)