Hygge in the morning

1.Wake up gently

Bright lights, noisy neighbours and blaring alarms first thing = definitely un-hygge! To help take the edge off of getting out of bed, try setting an alarm with a gentler, more relaxing sound five minutes earlier than your usual one - and open the curtains instead of turning on the overhead light.

2.Keep your morning simple

Sure, oversleeping has a nasty habit of making us late for work, but getting up early doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have a productive morning. To hit the right morning balance (while maximising your sleep time) it’s essential to keep your morning routine as streamlined as possible. The pile of dishes from last night? They can wait until the evening. Ten unread emails? Check them in the office. Your only morning goal should be to make getting out the door as stress-free as possible.

3.No to multi-tasking

You may be an expert multi-tasker when it comes to getting things done in the office, but it’s time to initiate a golden rule first thing in the a.m. - saying no to multi-tasking. Prepare as much of your stuff as you can the night before - lunch, workout gear, makeup bag - so that once you’re up, you’re able to take things one at a time. After all, your home is your base, not a cannon you get fired out of every morning!

4.Eat a proper breakfast

We all know how important a healthy breakfast is to starting your day off properly, so don’t skip it! Make your first meal of the day a nutritious one , and really take the time to enjoy preparing and eating your food. You are what you eat, so spending that extra fifteen minutes in the kitchen with a hot drink and nourishing breakfast is a wise investment for the rest of your day - trust us.

Try this slow cooker porridge recipe, for a delicious healthy breakfast that can be prepped the night before.

Ingredients

100g (3 1/2oz) jumbo rolled oats
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 x 400ml tin coconut milk
clear honey, to sweeten (optional)
1 tsp coconut oil
2 large apples - peeled, cored and cubed

Before you go to bed, grease your slow cooker pan with coconut oil and put the oats in the slow cooker with the cinnamon and cover with the coconut milk. Fill the coconut tin with water and add that to the slow cooker. Add the chopped apples apples. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, until the oats are soft and creamy. (If you prefer to cook this during the day, then give the oats a stir every now and then, but if you're doing it overnight don't worry.)
At the end of the cooking time, give the oats a good stir and add honey to sweeten if you like. Serve the porridge drizzled with some Sea Buckthorn Elixir or Blackthorn Elixir.

Please note that this recipe makes enough porridge for four, but it will keep, covered, in the fridge for a couple of days and can be reheated in the microwave.

5.Wrap up warm

Warm, welcoming textures are a central part of the hygge lifestyle - and not just for home. When picking out your morning outfit, but you’d be surprised how much dressing for comfort - while remaining office-appropriate - can have a positive impact on your mood. Opt for natural, breathable fabrics (cotton, linen, wool), and layer looser or lighter pieces. This will help to regulate your body temperature - ideal if you spend much of your commute riding notoriously uncomfortable public transport - as well as feeling far less restrictive.