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MINDFUL MORNING
Mornings are all about fresh starts, so why not use a daily wake-up routine to be more sustainable and eco-friendly?
Mornings. Like marmite, you either love them or you hate them. But regardless of your feelings, the way you start your morning matters. Anyone who’s ever over-snoozed and hobbled out the door with mismatched shoes and no coffee in their system can attest to that. And, so will anyone who’s experienced the adrenaline rush of productivity following an early morning run and a healthy breakfast.
A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before diving into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. But at what point do you take time out to assess how sustainable your day has been? It may sound trivial but when you stop to consider the amount of plastic you use before you even leave the house in the morning - toothbrush, razor blade, paper coffee cup - suddenly, your day needs more reevaluation than you thought.
The best place to start is with your morning routine. Not sure of where or how to start? Don’t panic, we’ve come up with five easy ways to make your mornings more sustainable.
TIME FOR TEA
No day can truly start off well unless it starts with a cup of tea. The very ritual of preparing and drinking tea is calming and grounding. From inhaling the aroma of the canister, listening to the sound of the water boiling to watching the colour of the tea change as it steeps, it awakens each of our senses in the morning. But as comforting as a cup of tea can be, the conventional tea industry isn’t without its issues. So the next time you boil the kettle, chose a tea that’s made ethically like the below selection from Whittard, who are members of the Ethical Tea Partnership, an initiative working to create a fairer, better, more sustainable tea industry for workers, farmers and the environment...
COFFEE WITH A CONSCIENCE
For a lot of people, coffee is the first thing they think of when they wake up in the morning. In fact, it's the main reason they even manage to get out from under the covers. That being so, the environmental effects the coffee industry imposes on our planet are quite staggering. Cue 3fe. Founded by four-time Irish Barista Champion, Colin Harmon and coffee roaster Steve Leighton, 3fe is now one of Ireland's most popular roasteries. From coffee beans sourced in a fair and ethical manner to cutting down on food waste in their cafés, 3fe is coffee with a conscience. And the best part? 3fe is now available to purchase in Brown Thomas Dublin.
REFILL + REHYDRATE
At the moment, we are all within a few feet of our kitchen, so while this may not pertain to today, bringing your own water bottle is still one of the best things you can do for the planet. We recommend having a few on hand: one for the home, one for the car, and one for the office. Between the three of them, you’ll rarely find yourself in need of a plastic water bottle.
AN ETHICAL BOOST
If you think collagen is just a fancy wellness buzzword, think again. Collagen is the most abundant protein naturally found within your body; it's essentially the substance that holds your body together. Collagen is the connective tissue that makes up your muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, and skin barrier. Collagen is also what gives youthful skin that desirable bounce and glow. Sadly, natural collagen production levels decrease as we age, contributing to dry skin, fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles, not to mention sore joints. Enter: Collagen supplements. Whether taken in liquid, powder or even mixed with coffee form, Ancient + Brave’s range of collagen supplements contribute to optimal daily wellbeing. Made using either certified organic ingredients or certified vegan, they’re sustainable too.
ANCIENT + BRAVE Radiant Collagyn Focus Supplement
€44.00
ANCIENT + BRAVE Naked Collagyn Energy Supplement
€44.00
ANCIENT + BRAVE Cacao and Collagen Supplement
€29.00
ANCIENT + BRAVE $product.object.name
€29.00
ANCIENT + BRAVE True Collagen Renewal Supplement
€34.00
SUSTAINABLE SLUMBER
While it may seem like a mundane task, making your bed in the morning is your very first accomplishment of the day. The sense of accomplishment – no matter how big or small – sparks our inner fire to continue achieving. Start your day off right by making the bed with sustainable sheets.
BELLEDORM Premium 500 Thread Count Fitted Sheet Ivory
€40.00 - €45.00
€80.00 - €90.00
KARLA BREE Goose Feather & Down Duvet All Seasons
Now €170.00
Was €340.00
FOXFORD $product.object.name
€129.00
BELLEDORM Hotel Suite 540 Thread Count Fitted Sheet Ivory
€120.00 - €150.00
KARLA BREE Hotel 400 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Flat Sheet
N/A
SWITCH UP THE WAY YOU WASH:
Baths are the epitome of self-care and are known to help us breathe better, relax our joints and muscles, and optimise our body temperature - but we tend to limit them to the evening. So, if you wake up feeling less than soothed from sleep, and of course, you have the time, run yourself an indulgent morning bath. Below, some sustainable bath essentials to really help you make the most of your soak...
AND BREATHE
If you find it difficult to get up in the morning, you’ll likely benefit from adding essential oils into your morning routine. Much like essential oils to help with sleep, there are essential oils available that can provide you with an energy boost for the rest of the day. So ditch that fifth cup of coffee and try some of the below essential oils for waking you up and preparing you for the day.
NEOM WELLBEING Feel Refreshed Essential Oil 10ml
€27.00
NEOM WELLBEING Wellbeing Pod Essential Oil Diffuser
€108.00
AESOP Ginger Flight Therapy 10mL
€30.00
THE NATURE OF THINGS Eucalyptus Essential Oil 12ML
€8.00
THE NATURE OF THINGS Lemon Essential Oil 12ML
€8.50
MORE TO READ
Another way to ensure a sustainable morning is by practising mindfulness. And who better to learn from than author, coach and meditation teacher Conor Creighton? Read The Importance of Mindfulness to learn the practice.