They say that you can tell a lot about how your day is going to go by the way your mornings begin. Most of us have a unhealthy habit of hitting the snooze button and are unable to function before we finish our first cup of coffee. Contrary to popular belief, there is a way to wake up feeling completely rejuvenated and rebooted, ready to conquer the day, and this is not a cliché. Embracing some of the principles of mindful living, in combination with green living in every aspect will not only make your days and morning beam with energy, but all the goodness that’s happening inside your body will inevitably reflect on your skin and overall beauty.
Words: Sophia Smith
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These are all small things, but when done with consistency, perseverance and of course, all together, they provide amazing, life-changing results. Once you embark on this path you will never even think of looking back, as you will only have a vague memory of what life was like before you adopted these green and green-adjacent routines.
1. Waking Up With A Purpose
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The snooze button, as said, has proven to be our worst enemy, as it completely messes up your final REM cycle, subsequently making you feel more tired, and hence less beautiful and puffier than if you had gotten up when the alarm first went off. Lie in bed for twenty minutes and in the spirit of mindful living do two things: give thanks, out loud, to yourself, for all the blessings in your life. Then, visualise your day as positive. Visualisation can be of great help in actually seeing your morning vision come to life.
2. Coffee = The Real Energy Booster?
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Coffee is known for its numerous health properties and it can even boost your beauty as it’s packed with antioxidants. But, did you know that matcha tea contains 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea? It’s well known that antioxidants are the key to youthful and healthy skin, and even though it contains just a quarter of caffeine compared to regular coffee, it will keep you alert and awake just as well, better even. Namely, coffee can cause a spike in energy and concentration levels, but with the spikes come the plummets, and this doesn’t occur with matcha tea. Aside from that, by opting for tea you are also helping to kick-start your metabolism, as well as a mild body detox, and as according to both Ayurveda and holistic medicine, there is an inextricable link between the gut and the skin. The benefits of matcha will appear on the surface before you know it, and besides, with matcha, you can make your DIY face mask and start your beauty ritual inside and out.
3. Get Centered
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Stress, anxiety and depression are the ailments of the modern age, and one of the best ways to stop them in their tracks is through meditation. Stress can take a huge toll on the skin and affect your beauty in ways you can’t even imagine – as beauty really does come from within. So taking twenty minutes off your morning to meditate, empty the mind of all the worries and just focus on your breathing and your core is the best thing you can do for both your health and beauty. To set the mood, awaken your senses with incredibly scented soy melts that come in a variety of almost intoxicating scents that will help you reach true serenity. If soothing music works for you, play your go-to playlist as well, but quiet seems to work for most people.
4. The Sister
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They say meditation and yoga are twin sisters that never travel without each other. Yoga, just as meditation, doesn’t only benefit the body (as meditation has been proven to have positive effects on physical health as well). Yes, yoga makes us stronger and more flexible and provides us with unmatchable calmness and stamina, but it also has incredible skin benefits. There are actual yoga asanas dedicated to targeting a number of skin issues. Some help increase the blood flow to the face, others give you a luminous complexion, and there are even some that can help get rid of acne and other pesky skin issues. Yes, you might not have been aware of it, but yoga is here for everything – mind, body, soul and beauty.
5. Almost There
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Aside from a healthy smoothie composed of your very favorite superfoods, there is one last thing you can do for your skin and that includes turning to wonderful and safe, green, organic, cruelty-free and vegan skincare products. One of the biggest incentives for going green when it comes to both skincare and makeup is that you are not only saving the planet, but also saving your face from potentially harmful chemicals which are often found in skincare products, ones that can, in the long term, do more damage than good. Green products, which an increasing number of women are jumping on board with, provide supreme care for your skin. Yes, they take a little longer to ‘do their magic’, but when they do, you know it’s the real deal and not just a magician’s trick.
With organic skincare and makeup you have peace of mind because you know what’s in them – the ingredient list is readable and short. They don’t cause irritation, are suitable for all skin types and provide true results that last a lifetime. Once you go green, you will absolutely never come back. Just remember to keep it simple – a splash of lukewarm water on your face, a switch between hot and cold water during a shower to improve circulation, and a few drops of organic oil. Noni Glow is a wonderful choice and a great organic moisturizer. Soon, you won’t even have to wear makeup if you don’t feel like it because your skin will be so radiant you won’t want to hide it from the world.
As you can see, these are all small things that make a world of difference. Your only job is to create a solid routine and stick to it, and the results will arrive sooner than you expect. Bonus incentive – no sacrifice as each of these rituals is more enjoyable than the next. Change your life today, see new beauty tomorrow.
Author Bio
Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and food enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Eco Warrior Princess, Secret Garden, She is Fierce HQ, Cause Artist, Viva Glam Magazine, Bridal Chic and Carousel.
You can find out more about her writing by following her on: FacebookTwitterGoogle +