5 two-minute morning rituals to start your day right

Taking the time (and not much of it!) first thing in the morning to put your best foot forward is a surefire way to ensure you're primed for success, argues Elizabeth Gageler.

There are a number of easily-implemented, effective and time-efficient strategies one can utilise to start the day right. Here are five such strategies to get you going once the alarm goes off, you throw off the bed sheets and put your feet on the floor: 

1. Cold Shower:

Exposing our bodies to cold temperatures for short periods of time can help curb inflammation, strength the immune system & mental clarity - trust me, there is nothing like freezing water to pull your attention into the present moment.  

The thought of jumping into a freezing shower in the morning can be far from appealing- but I can assure you it is worth it. Even just 30 seconds will be enough for you to feel immediately energised and ready to take on the day.

2. Hydrate:

Contrary to popular belief, coffee is not the first thing our bodies need first thing in the morning.  After 6-8 hours of sleep (well, hopefully!) our bodies are dehydrated and therefore require rehydrating.

Considering our bodies are made up of at least 70% water, it only makes sense that we function better when we are well-hydrated. Aim for 250-500mls with a pinch of Celtic salt and a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon. The salt will help remineralise your body and the lime will help kick start detoxification and digestion.

3. Tongue Scrape:

Have you ever looked at your tongue first thing in the morning? Chances are it is covered in a white film. This coating is believed to be a toxic build up as your body has  been hard at work cleaning up your system overnight. You don't want to reabsorb or swallow the toxic film your body is trying to purge which can irritate the intestinal tract, the solution- scrape it off!  

Tongue scraping should be done first thing in the morning before you eat, drink or brush your teeth. You will need to purchase a tongue scraper which is a small, U shaped, hand held device made out of stainless steal or copper. All you need to do is stick your tongue out in front of a mirror and gentle scrape from the back to the front of your tongue, repeat this a few times. You will be amazed what you are able remove.

4. Dry Body Brush:

Dry body brushing is a simple detoxification method in which you use  a natural bristle brush to exfoliate your skin and more importantly stimulate your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system which is made up of lymph fluid is extremely important for detoxification- think of it like the garbage removal service for your body!

The lymph fluid which is responsible for collecting and exposing toxins depends on movement to keep the pipes clean. You can brush your entire body in 2-5 minutes prior to having a shower. Starting at your feet, sweep over your body in an upward motion starting form your feet. Your brush strokes should be firm but not painful. Work on sections of your body until the skin turns blush pink before moving to the next.

5. Gratitude:

It's no secret that starting your day on a positive note means you are more likely to be in a better mood the rest of the day. When our mood is elevated we are also likely to be more productive and efficient. Thinking of 3-5 things you are grateful for first thing in the morning helps set your thoughts and feelings in the right direction.

If you really want to take your gratitude to the next level grab a pen and note book and write it down, dot points will do. Quantum physics has proven that what we think and feel becomes our experience of the world. So taking 1 minute each morning to consciously reflect on what you are grateful for is a small price to pay for a day of potential happiness.

Elizabeth Gageler is a powerlifter and wellness blogger with over 60,000 followers on Instagram (@cheekycoconuts).