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    Here’s How To Create A Morning Routine You’ll Actually Stick To

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    Ann Stewart, Reiki therapist, Kundalini yoga and meditation student and mentor will be the first to tell you that she struggled to stick to a morning routine. It makes you feel amazing: you start your day strong and the rest of it is as productive. But come the next day, you’re exhausted, and the thought of hitting the snooze button is just so tempting…

    “For a long time I struggled to stick to my spiritual practices, even though I loved how they made me feel,” says Stewart. “We come up with all types of blocks to start our day the way we know we should. Some of the things we tell ourselves: I’m not a morning person, I deserve to sleep in, and I’m not feeling well today.”

    An inner power mentor, Stewart now helps other women empower themselves and achieve more. “A regular morning routine makes me feel more creative, focused, and my day flows without effort,” she says. “But it’s not always perfect – and that’s OK. When I miss a day, I just start again the next morning, but when I do skip I try to make quiet time for myself during the course of my workday,” says Stewart. 

    What’s a good morning routine?

    A good morning routine involves engaging in a healthful practice upon waking up. Science tells us a great deal about the benefits of waking up and having a morning routine. Successful people thrive by it. It can go a long way towards managing a healthy weight and leave you feeling focused and in charge of the day. Read on for Stewart’s tips to finally becoming a morning person.

    1. Just Begin

    The only way to change your current morning routine is to start creating new habits. The only way to create new habits is to actually start doing it. Not at the beginning of next week, next month, or next year, but now. Decide on three simple activities that make you feel more centred and connected to your soul. Reading, writing, meditation, and yoga will all create the types of positive changes you are looking for.

    2. Do it for 40 days 

    According to yogic teaching, it takes 40 days to change a habit, and 90 days to confirm that habit. Give yourself 40 days to make sure you set yourself up for success. If you skip a day, begin again at day 1. Make a challenge out of it and remember to have fun. Your subconscious, which directs about 60 per cent of your activities and responses by habit, has to get the message. By turning to your practice repeatedly day by day, choice by choice, the effects will start to seep into the deeper parts of your mind.

    3. Know your why

    Make a short list of all the reasons you want to create a new routine for yourself. Maybe it’s to gather your thoughts and become more centred. Maybe you want to incorporate exercise in your morning routine to make sure you actually get to it before you’re exhausted at the end of your day. Then list all the benefits you will receive by starting these new actions. This will help you during times when you don’t feel like it, and believe me, those times will definitely come.

    4. Keep it simple 

    When you first start, just keep your routine simple. Start by waking up 30 min earlier than usual. Drink a glass of warm water with lemon. Sit quietly for five minutes and then begin whichever activity you have chosen to engage in for the morning. If meditating for 30 minutes every morning feels impossible, start by committing to just three minutes instead. In just three minutes, you can have an effect on your blood circulation and chemistry.

    Making changes in our lives isn’t always easy, but it is possible. Remember to speak to yourself in a loving and compassionate way. Be patient. Working up to creating lasting change is part of the process and putting strategies in place to stick to your commitment will make it easier to achieve. More

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      Want To Manifest Your Goal? Don’t Make These Manifesting Mistakes

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      Want to manifest your goal? Welcome to the club. There are at least 8 million of us on Instagram and many more. And for good reason.

      Manifesting can be a powerful tool in helping you achieve your goals, whether that’s to run your first 21K, bag a promotion or find love. But many people feel that it’s about making a wish with all your heart and waiting for it to happen. Unfortunately, you’re not a Disney Princess. “It is impossible to manifest your dream partner who will make you feel alive and in love, while you are sitting on the couch, sobbing as you watch the Notebook, eating ice cream or drinking a bottle of wine, feeling sorry for yourself that you are single,” says manifesting queen and coach Nicola Loots.

      There’s actually a lot of inner work required for you to move from point A, the point without the thing you want, to point B, where you’ve reached your goal and are wrapped in that achievement glow. Here’s how to put in the work, avoid common manifesting mistakes and really move the needle.  

      Manifesting mistake #1: You’re feeling lack (and not abundance)

      “I often hear people so excited, inspired, and optimistic to start manifesting, but after some time, usually, when it is taking longer than they had expected to see results, they get despondent, disappointed, and start thinking that it’s not working,” says Nicola. “Manifesting is not about declaring what you desire and then sitting on the couch waiting for it to happen, but it is also not about working as hard as you can and hustling to control the situation either. Manifesting is a fine line between taking inspired action and knowing when to let go and trust.”

      To this end, it’s important to have an image of what you want that’s so strong you believe in it and start to act in the way you would with your goal in the palm of your hands. “When you are manifesting, your faith needs to be bigger than your fears,” explains Nicola. “You need to believe that it will happen, not on your timeline, but in divine timing and you need to be completely satisfied and accept that when it will happen is out of your control.”

      READ MORE: How To Save Money – And Why It Matters For Your Health

      Manifesting mistake #2: You’re not taking action

      Despite what it seems, manifesting requires a bit of action, kind of like casting a spell. Yes, there’s magic involved, but there’s also special ingredients you need to collect, and then you still need to say the words with intent. There are three main steps in manifesting, that we’ve covered extensively here and here.

      READ MORE: 15 Best Journalling Apps To Start The New Year With More Mindfulness

      Manifesting mistake #3: You’re blocking your own progress

      “Manifesting is about the law of attraction and the law states like attracts like,” says Nicola. “If you want to manifest something that makes you feel good, you need to start feeling good now, so that it is attracted to you.” If, for example, Nicola explains, “you believe that you always get hurt when you open your heart, that you cannot trust men, all of these beliefs are going to block you from receiving. You have to work on your mindset and beliefs in order to manifest.” To this end, Nicola notes that you may need to work with a psychologist or mindset coach to push through the barriers preventing you from attracting the good thing you’re looking for.

      READ MORE: Can Manifesting Really Help You Smash Your Goals?

      Manifesting mistake #4: You’re not looking for the signs

      Yes, signs from the literal actual universe. Sometimes this manifests in the physical realm, like asking to see a butterfly as confirmation that your potential job is the one you should go for. But waiting can often dissuade you. When this happens, Nicola advises going inward. “When you are at a crossroads and are not sure what direction to take, quieten out the external noise and connect to yourself,” says Nicola. This might mean meditation, or just getting really quiet and asking yourself important questions. “From this space, ask yourself, ‘If I knew exactly what to do, what would that be? If I trusted myself, what would I do in this situation?’ External signs are inspiring to receive, but your inner voice and your intuition is so much more powerful.”    More

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      5 Effective Ways To Beat The Dreaded Afternoon Slump

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      It’s so easy to lose motivation as soon as midday strikes. From frequent strolls to the copier, scrolling TikTok and needing about four coffee breaks an hour, the Afternoon Slump looms large over the human population, threatening even the most productive of people.
      Blame your natural stress hormone, cortisol. It fluctuates frequently throughout the day as we deal with different situations. By the afternoon, our systems are fried from vigorous regulation. If you’ve got things to get done, ASAP, try out these invigorating pointers to energise your body and mind – and meet those deadlines.
      Disclaimer: The below don’t include sugar or a caffeine fix.
      1/ Stretch it out

      Stretching is a wonderful way to calm your mind. Regular stretching focuses on mindfulness and releases tension from the body.
      Do it: Stand up and reach down to touch your toes. Don’t be concerned about who is around you. Bring your hands above your head and hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Tilt as far as you can, from left to right. Repeat.
      READ MORE: 8 Things That Are Sucking The Happiness Right Out Of Your Life
      2/ Close your eyes
      Did you know that closing your eyes is a great way to boost your memory? This is known as “quiet wakefulness”. Resting the eyes allows your muscles and body parts to relax.
      Do it: Place your hands over your eyes for two minutes and relish the time you have to sit and be still. Focus on your breathing and channel your thoughts on something positive.
      READ MORE: What Really Happens To Your Body (And Brain) On A Detox Diet?
      3/ Declutter your desk

      Your space is a reflection of you. Having a cleaner workspace can lead to increased productivity, while clutter can cripple your creativity.
      Do it: Recycle unnecessary paper that you’re hoarding on your desk. A clean desk makes for an efficient and professional student or employee.
      4/ Breathe in, breathe out
      Deep breathing exercises are the best for stress management and improving energy levels. Increased blood flow allows for more oxygen to get into the blood.
      Do it: Get comfortable. Sit or lie down on the floor and inhale through your nose, allowing your belly to fill up. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat.
      READ MORE: Face Mapping: 9 Things Your Pimples Can Tell You About Your Health
      5/ Take a light stroll

      If you only have a few minutes to spare, taking a walk can do wonders for your blood flow to the muscles and will offer your mind a fresh start.
      Do it: Step away from your phone and computer and go outside for a walk. Start with 5 minutes and gradually increase your steps. Your fitness watch will thank you. More