THE WIDE AWAKE WORKOUT

Fake a full eight hours of sleep and energise your morning in a matter of minutes with this simple yoga routine

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For some of us, it can be hard to unwrap yourself from the comfort of a duvet all-year-round, let alone at this time of year when it’s dark, cold, and often miserable. Don’t want to get out of bed each morning? You’re not alone.

‘Your body has been still for seven to nine hours, so it’s no surprise you feel groggy and your joints and muscles are stiff,’ says Kira Mahal, founder of MotivatePT. But our five-minute yoga routine could be the key to feeling invigorated first thing.

‘This routine will wake up your body and mind,’ says Kira. ‘As you start to move, blood will pump around your body, increasing oxygen levels to your brain, making you feel alert.’ It will also warm up your synovial fluid, which helps your joints move smoothly, and by stretching each muscle, you’ll help relieve tension and maintain flexibility. What’s more, you’ll feel calm first thing, ready to face the day ahead.

Top tip

Make sure you don’t overstretch, as your muscles will still be quite tight. ‘If something feels uncomfortable, change position and adapt the pose,’ says Kira.