Giving your body the boost of energy it deserves, will help you to plough efficiently and effectively through your weeks ‘to-do’ list. The following 5 exercises will help activate your mind and body to create a nice flow of calming energy for the day and week ahead.
Deep Breathing
Allow yourself some time first thing in the morning, to take some deep breathes for up to 2-3 minutes to meditate. This will start your day on a stress-free note to improve your health. Research has shown that it can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and to prime the body for weight loss.
Downward Dog ‘Stretch it out’
I cannot start my day, let alone week, without incorporating this yoga pose. Every morning I spend 3-5 minutes in this position. It relieves hamstring tension, gets the circulation pumping (aiding in muscle recovery after a workout), improves the posture (preventing injury and looking leaner) and starts your day off feeling ‘energised’, without stress (warding off sugar craving and excess belly fat).
Set yourself up in a plank position, hands directly under shoulders, and in a straight line. Lift your hips up and back to get the desired ‘down dog’ position. Hold for 10 seconds, pressing shoulders towards the floor and then lower hips back into plank position. Perform 6-10 reps.
Freestanding Squat (Pulse raiser)
Feet hip width apart, toes slightly up inside your trainers, sit back into a squat position. Carry out good quality squats, at the quickest pace you are able to, for 20 seconds whilst maintaining your technique. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat for a total set of 5.
Press Up (Strength & Core)
Hands shoulder width apart, hands at 45 degrees and fingers splayed. Get up onto feet, if able, to a full push up position. If not then ¾ position on thighs.
Complete as many full press ups as possible in 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds. Complete 5 sets.
5 Second Planks (Core stability)
Complete each plank for 5 seconds. Allow a second to rest the knees down before resuming a full plank position. Complete 10 sets in total.
I challenge all of you to use these simple moves on a daily basis for the coming week ahead! It will enhance both your physical and mental well-being, without creating the physical ‘fatigue’ of a full on workout.
Are you able to blitz your to-do list? Let me know how you get on.
