Jawahar Circle

Jawahar Circle is one among the best leisure points of Jaipur .Being Asia's biggest garden it is the crowd gathering and jogging point more of enough its now known as couple's garden being the most romantic place with evening light and sound fountain show, its most crowded during the winter evening's .You can aslo enjoy the monsoon if have plan of rain shower 

Jawahar circle also have food stalls where you can get delicious Pav bhaji Chinese extra.A great hangout place in Jaipur . 

Watch ligh sound show here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBUkaWJhs8Q

Pushkar fair

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the travelers who come to witness the carnival, colour, and ancient melas is the Pushkar fair that is held here. The fair takes place during the Kartik Purnima (full moon) every November. You should know that this fair unites many farmers, traders and villagers from completely different parts of Rajasthan. The fair of Pushkar is famous all over the world for its camel trading as well as the other numerous other cultural activities that create this event successful.

For your information the city of Pushkar is amongst the oldest cities of India. There is no definite date available for its origin. However, the historians associate it with Lord Brahma. Yu will find the city to be located near the shores of Lake Pushkar. The Lake Pushkar has more than 50 Ghats. All of these ghats are overcrowded on the auspicious full moon day in the month of Kartik (lunar calendar). This is why the s day is considered to be auspicious is because in Hindu mythology that if you don’t visit the Pushkar after visiting other pilgrim towns, you will not get salvation.

When you come to the Pushkar camel fair, it is a fair which is held for ten to twelve days and ends after the full moon night. People from countries as well as from all over India come and visit the Pushkar fair. You will find that the fair is a time of complete enjoyment for all the villagers. The reason for this is that many religious activities also continue along with the business of cattle trading. In this fair around half a lakh of camel are brought to this fare for trading purposes and this is why it is amongst the e largest cattle fairs of the country and cattle along with.

Before the camel festival all of the camels are cleaned and decorated. You can also see that many of the camels are given a special pattern by trimming their hairs. They are also decorated with jewellery of silver and beads.

Where To Stay

When you visit the Pushkar fair, you are advised to book yourself a tented accommodation in Pushkar fair. In this way you can get a chance to experience and explore the fair from a starting point of action. You will also be getting a chance to be a part of something enormous; the experience is surely something you will have once in a lifetime.

If you are looking to stay in the tented accommodation in Pushkar fair, you will find that they are readily available. There are many tents that can provide you with a traditional shikar (hunt expedition) like experience. You can also get many tents with a luxurious twin bed tent rooms available with an attached bathroom and even a Mughal style designed dinning tent. When you stay in a tented accommodation at the Pushkar Fair, you will get a chance to observe the closest association between cattle and human and how they co-exist in this holy country.

Some of the major attractions of this fair are:

Buying and Selling:

In the first 5 days of the Pushkar fair you can observe the buying and selling of cattle. It is a method which consists of attracting the shoppers to buy their cattle by praising them. It is after many negotiations that the deals are finalized. The sold animals are then beautifully decorated.

Shopping:

When you are at the fair, you can get an exciting opportunity to buy a variety of beautiful things. Here, you can shop for exquisite accessories and ornaments that are accessible at the numerous stalls. The intricate crafted jewellery things like necklaces, chains, nose rings, anklets and bangles attract the women. Asides form the jewellery items; you can also shop for an exclusive variety of ancient apparels and enticing tattoo styles.

Fun and Frolic:

At the Pushkar Fair, the last two days have been reserved for amusement activities. The activities consist of camel races, musical chairs for camels, camel beauty contest and lots of others.

Here, you will get lots to enjoy and this is what will leave you with a memorable expertise. During the night time, you can enjoy music and dance that create a gala time. The merrymaking continues throughout the night.

Activities At The Pushkar Fair

With regards to the activities at the pushkar fair, you can go in for   

Hot Air Balloon ride: Ride the Hot Air Balloon to view the camel fair. 

Camel Safari: You can also enjoy Camel Safari and enjoy the desert landscape as well as the camel fair spectacle from the best seat in town.

You can also take a holy dip in the Holy Pushkar Lake. It is a ritual practiced by the pilgrims as it is believed to wash away all of the sins.

Brahma Temple: you can visit the ancient and famous only Brahma Temple in the world.

Experience the culture: You can take a stroll in makeshifts bazaars & colourful streets in order to witness interesting exhibitions, cultural events and folk performances.

For more information related to dates and other enquiries go on here 

http://www.pushkar-camel-fair.com/

Jaipur's foundation day

India is full of  traditional beauty ,and when we zoom in and  think about heritages the first city comes in mind is Jaipur also known as pink city .It was in the year 1927  Jaipur build by  creator Maharaja, Sawai Jai Singh. It runs across in pink colour. This is why the city is also known as “The Pink City”. Jaipur is the home for artisans, musicians and craftsmen. The city of Jaipur is redolent with ethereal palaces, imposing forts, vibrant people, boisterous bazaars, timeless traditions and centuries of art and culture. All of the cities of Jaipur have a unique character and a different colour.

Jaipur old view

Jaipur  is city of festivals. Every year in month of November Jaipur celebrates its foundation day where many colorful shows and events are being organized .And  lots of crowd visits and experiences  the celebration .

This time foundation day will take place at Ramleela Maidan from 18 november .The theme will be based on featuring the real soil of Rajasthani rang.As per buzz it is said there will more than 150 celebraties and performers. And the performances will include Kalbelia Langamanganiyar,Bhapang,Ghoomar,Mor,Bhawai,Kacchighori,Katha,Sahariya,Gaer,Tehertalli with this there will be famous talk worldwide  Veena music dance that is “Maharaas”

To make the events more delighful there will intresting quizzes and return gifts will be distributed .

The theme covers  Spangling light effects .

Entry is free .So what are you waiting for get prepared with camera and book train tickets and plan with us : www.vacationbest.in

Childhood memories

When i was child the funniest thing i used to do is ringing bell of my neighbours house and hid nearby.I used to pass drawing of uncles living near my house who were trying to take best nap after nightshifts at mines and doing again again i enjoyed as in return they used to bribe me with milkybar chocolates for not doing the same again though i was kejriwal with manomohan singh inside me tongue emoticon

Another thing i remember is i had regular betting with my friends on jumping from high walls and building of our colony though once i had hard pain but shown as if i was complain boy to other .

Realy childhood days i miss the most ,the old colony life,old peoples ,parties ,fun and school rumours,orsharing of tiffins among class (we named that atta-batti in hindi ),cycle race 

Author-Navjot kumar

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Today we visited Nahargarh fort to get some view of Jaipur from camera eye above some height here it is .If you also want to enjoy the city you must visit this place .Though cops don't allow drinks and all But if you can take and arrange this you will enjoy the most .

Read more about Nahargarh fort  click here

 Diwali in history

The history of Diwali is replete with legends and these legends are moored to the stories of Hindu religious scriptures, mostly the Puranas. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over the evils, the mode of their presentation and the characters differ. Diwali, being the festival of lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to the day to day lives. 

The five day of Diwali
The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. The third day of Diwali is the actual Diwali. This is the day when worship for Mother Lakshmi is performed. On the fourth day of Diwali, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to sisters. 

Hindu Mythology

The Story of Rama and Sita:

 Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was exiled by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but still evil dominated his mind. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana; of 

Truth's victory over Evil. 

The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar(the Dwarf): 

The other story concerns King Bali, who was a generous ruler. But he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded Vishnu to check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a Vamana(dwarf) dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King Bali and said "You are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three strides?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground, thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this point, the dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe! King Bali was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali celebrations, some Hindus remember King Bali. 

The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna:

 Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Narkasura, who was causing great unhappiness amongst the people of the world. Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him. Eventually, their cries for rescue were heard by Vishnu, who came in the form of Krishna. First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster who guarded the demon's home. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. For Hindus, this story is a reminder that good can still come out of evil

 

Krishna and The Mountain:                 In the village of Gokula, many years ago, the people prayed to the God Indra. They believed that Indra sent the rains, which made their crops, grow. But Krishna came along and persuaded the people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because the mountain and the land around it were fertile. This did not please Indra. He sent thunder and torrential rain down on the village. The people cried to Krishna to help. Krishna saved the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger. The offering of food to God on this day of Diwali is a reminder to Hindus of the importance of food and it is a time for being thankful to God for the bounty of nature. . 

Sikh Festival Diwali 
In Sikh perspective, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from the captivity of the city, Gwalior. To commemorate his undying love for Sikhism, the towns people lit the way to, Harmandhir Sahib (referred to as the Golden Temple), in his honour. 

Jain Festival Diwali
Among the Jain festivals, Diwali is one of the most important one. For on this occasion we celebrate the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira who established the dharma as we follow it. Lord Mahavira was born as Vardhamana on Chaitra Shukla 13th in the Nata clan at Khattiya-kundapura, near Vaishali. He obtained Kevala Gyana on Vishakha Shukla 10 at the Jambhraka village on the banks of Rijukula river at the age of 42.

Top 10 Best Gifts you can give your Friends this Diwali

 There is a whole range of ideas from traditional gifts to eco-friendly options to choose from. So don’t leave your decisions to the last minute, browse through and pick some new ideas for gifting this year.

10. Statues of gods and goddesses

Diwali is a time for worshipping a lot of gods and goddesses. Some people seek the blessings of the benevolent Lord Ganesha as they begin a new venture or year, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, brings prosperity to her devotees as she enters their houses this time of the year. A lot of Indians also worship the Goddess Kali during this occasion. If you are looking for a spiritual gift for your friend that resonates the season’s greeting as well as your best wishes, you could give them a statue of these gods and goddesses to usher in prosperity and happiness in their lives. You could pick a statue made of clay, plastic or silver, depending on how much your budget allows you to splurge.

9. Handmade candles

If you want to add a personal touch to your Diwali gifts, you could buy some candle wax and fragrance oils at the store and make your own candles. Most craft shops have candle moulds available in different shapes and sizes. Alternatively, cake moulds work well as well. You could decorate the candles using some glue, glitter, beads, sequins and other craft supplies. Alternatively, you can also write personalized messages on the candles. Make a linear drawing on a piece of wax paper and write your message on it with sketch pens. Wrap the strip around the candle and blow heat on it from a blow dryer. The ink will transfer from the wax sheet to the surface of the candle. Peel the paper gently off the surface and you will find that your drawing and message will be on the candle.

8. Ethnic wear and jewellery

There is no better occasion than a religious festival to flaunt your ethnic side. If your friend is too caught up between corporate and party life to find time to dress in ethnic wear, this could be a suitable time to provide them with an opportunity to expand their wardrobe. You could buy your girl friend a sari or a silk skirt or a kurti, depending on what she likes, or if your friend is a guy, a kurta or sherwani would be the right choice. You could also opt for a fusion between western and ethnic wear, perhaps a t-shirt with ethnic elements and traditional fabric and dying. You can also add some ethic jewellery, an earring or a necklace or even an anklet that you might have picked up on your travel around the country. This will tell them that Diwali is not the only occasion when you think of them.

7. Solar lawn lights

With the power shortage that has been rampant across the country of late, let us make an attempt to make this Diwali a bit more green. Almost all people deck up their houses during this time of the year with lamps and fairy lights. This year, you could give them a set of LED lights that are powered on solar energy. They are as bright and durable as normal but unlike normal lights, they use clean and recyclable energy, thus being extremely eco-friendly. They are available in most high-end stores and can be easily ordered online, so you can have them shipped directly to your friend. Gift them to as many friends as you can and ask them to consider gifting the same to their friends and acquaintances. Before you know it, you could be starting a green Diwali in your city.

6. Potted house plants

Another way to embrace green Diwali is to make an attempt to reduce the air pollution that is caused by the burning of firecrackers during this festival. There are a number of house plants to pick from, most of them are easy to maintain and in return they not only spruce up the interiors, but also purify the surrounding air. Use this festive occasion to spread the good word about reforestation and gift seeds or potted plants to your friends and family. Ask them to take care of them and also forward the trend amongst their social circles, they not make good items for gifting but are also beneficial for the environment.

5. Watches and sunglasses

Accessories make the best gift items because they suit everyone, regardless of gender or size. They are also available in a variety of price range, thereby being easily affordable within your budget. Watches and sunglasses are the easiest to pick from, mostly because you must have often seen your friends sport one and you know what they like. Either way, whatever you pick, they will undoubtedly find an attire to wear it with, so you know you can’t go very wrong.

4. Homemade sweets and cakes

There is nothing better than a gift that appeases the taste buds and appetites. If you or your mother is great at creating awesome Diwali delicacies, make sure to gift some to your friends. Some all time favourites are laddoos and barfis, but if you have a special secret recipe, you should definitely introduce your friends to it. Although do keep in mind that sweets and cakes do not normally stay good for long, so make sure your friends consume it at once, or if you are giving them some to take away, make sure they have a refrigerator or can store it somewhere to prevent it from going off. If not, give them only enough so that they can finish it in the next few days.

3. Gift hamper

If you want to give a bit of everything to your friends, this is the ideal gift option. The ideal Diwali hamper will have some sweets or chocolates, a selection of dry fruits, some candles or such likes, some fragrant potpourri and a good luck charm or wish card. But the best thing about a hamper is that you can always personalize the gift, add in little tit-bits that mean something to them or that has been on their wish list for long, wrap it all in a bow and you will have a present that is bound to delight your friends.

2. Spiritual DVDs and CDs

Another great gift for your friends on this occasion is spiritual CDs or DVDs, especially if they are of the religious bend of mind. It could be devotional songs or chants and hymns or narrations of holy events, it could be just audio or both audio-visual. If you look in the market, you will be surprised by the variety of choices available. If your friend is devoted to a particular God or spiritual leader, a documentation of their chants and sermons would be an ideal present for their spirit.

 1. Gift vouchers

If you can’t decide what to buy for your friend, go into the store you know they visit often and get them a gift voucher. Vouchers are available in a variety of price range to suit your pocket, and this gives them the liberty to pick a gift of their choice. Another option with vouchers is to get some on mobile apps and video games, this would be ideal if they use their phones a lot for various tasks.

Lets celebrate this Diwali cracker free and nature friendly

10 Things you can do this Diwali other than Burning Firecrackers

Diwali or Deepawali is a festival celebrated by the Hindu community of India but is majorly popular all over the world. It is also fondly called the festival of lights viewing the way it is celebrated which makes the whole country look lit and drenched in lights. This festival has got its religious roots from one of the great Hindu epics Ramayana, which describes return of great legend Lord Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing 14 years of his exile on this very day. It is said that it was a night of full moon so people lighted Diyas (oil lamps) and candles outside their homes to welcome the Lord. They also busted firecrackers, which one should absolutely stay away from. These firecrackers are very harmful for the environment and they can also be extremely dangerous for the one lighting them and also for the people around. Though firecrackers seem to be almost a synonym with Diwali but there are many other things that you should get yourself into rather than increasing pollution by burning firecrackers. Here is a list of 10 such awesome things that can be done on Diwali!

10. Indulge in Sweets

 

Diwali is that time of the year when you get a guilt free pass to indulge in as much sweets as you want without worrying about weight gain (hit the gym afterwards!) or having to hear taunts from family members for eating too much sweet. Ladoos, barfis, halwa, ras malai, there is so much variety out there and it is just so tempting isn’t it? You can make these in your own kitchen with a little guidance from the internet or your old recipe book and most of the ingredients are easily available or if you are one lazy lad then take a stroll in market to buy loads of sweets for yourself and your dear ones and celebrate Diwali on a sweet note, literally.

9. Buy loads of gifts

Besides being a religious festival, Diwali has also become a chance for get together among families and friends who don’t get much time to catch up otherwise. And when you go meet your loved ones on this auspicious festive occasion, you cannot afford to go empty handed, can you? So buy gifts for everyone around you and surprise them with something special. Your love and affection for them is all that matters but nobody minds a gift or two! True isn’t it?

8. Shop for clothes!

 

Once you are done with buying gifts for others, it’s time to get a little selfish! Its festive season and there are huge discounts and sales all around so what are you waiting for? Shop for more ethnic attires as going ethnic is the way for Diwali. Lehangas and Sarees for the girls and Sherwanis and Kurta pyjamas for the guys, become a hot trend during this time. So, buy something traditional and dress up your ethnic best with a traditional yet glammed up look to rock the Diwali celebrations this season.

7. Celebrate Dhanteras

 

Diwali is not a one day festival but is celebrated 5 day long. Dhanteras is the auspicious festival celebrated on the first day of this festive week, two days before the actual Diwali. Dhanteras literally means “Dhan” i.e. wealth and “Tera” which means the 13th day of the month Ashwin Diwali is celebrated in as per Hindu calendar. To venerate this occasion, people line up at jewelers to buy loads of gold or silver jewelry. You can also buy utensils to seek blessings from the Goddess of lustre. The popularity of this occasion can be seen by sighting the percentage by which jewelry sales rise up every year. Due to this, this makes a significant festival for the business community as well.

6. Make a Rangoli

 

Making Rangolis have been an essential part of Diwali since a very long time. It takes a lot of creativity and skills but the end results can be totally jaw-dropping. I have seen so many people who are experts in Rangoli making and can make intricate to intricate of designs with such ease and finesse. But if you are an amateur, then you can start with simple ones. It can be really fun and you will enjoy yourself while making a Rangoli. A conventional Rangoli requires dry colors but one may also incorporate flower petals or leaves to make their Rangoli even more beautiful. Many schools, colleges and corporate house even hold Rangoli making competitions on Diwali one can take part in.

5. Decorate your house

 

You just cannot celebrate Diwali without decorating your house. It is believed that on the occasion of Diwali, goddess Laxmi visits every household bringing luck and prosperity for the whole family. To welcome the goddess, people clean their houses and decorate them with lights, diyas, and torans. You can see markets abuzz with such decorative items during the Diwali season and can buy many different varieties of decorative items or one can make torans at home itself. Decorating the house in its possible best is a common activity at Diwali.

4. Get Together

 

As I already mentioned that Diwali is an opportunity for people to get together with their friends and relatives which one may call as “Milans”. Celebrating the festival with your near and dear ones increases love and happiness among all. You visit your relatives’ place, exchange gifts and have a gala time. People spend time together playing games, satiating in delicious food or going for Diwali parties. If there are no party plans for you then all the relatives may come and meet at one’s place and get into Diwali games. Like playing cards has become a popular culture and people enjoy casual betting on the game of cards.

3. Visit a Temple

 

While buying gifts, visiting relatives and decorating our house, we cannot neglect the true essence of Diwali which is the defeat of evil by the hands of good. Lord Rama defeated the evil demon Ravana and came back to Ayodhya. To celebrate his victory and return to his homeland, people visit temples, or more commonly known as Mandirs. They sit down over there with offerings and listen to the preacher or the Pandit in the temple.

2. Perform Pujas and prayers

 

Other than visiting temples, pujas are also performed at home. Goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to be the goddess of wealth and prosperity is said to come into the house of those who worship her on this day. In order to seek blessings and gain prosperity, Lakshmi Pujas are held in every household. People open up their doors and windows to welcome the goddess. Some people also have Govardhan Puja in their houses which is dedicated to Lord Krishna in commemoration of the legend of Mount Govardhan. It is said that Lord Krishna lifted up the mountain to rescue people who were punished by Lord Indra with downpour of water and floods. So get your puja thaals ready with sweets and idols of god and goddess to perform Diwali puja.

1. Spread love and happiness

 

If all the religions of this world come together to express one message then it will be to ensure peace and harmony and spread and cherish love around us. Diwali is also an opportunity to get your soul synced with god and spread love and happiness everywhere you can The festival is all about triumph of goodness, happiness, prosperity and worships. And the simplest way of worshiping god is by loving his creations and making others happy.

So this Diwali, instead of burning up thousands of rupees in crackers and sickening the environment with tonnes of smoke, stick to more authentic and eco-friendly ways for celebrating Diwali with your near and dear ones. And try awakening all others around you about the ill effects of fire crackers and goodness of the other things that are special about Diwali.

“Say No to FireCrackers”

If you know of other great things that can be done on Diwali please share with us below in comments.

11 Morning Rituals That Can Change Your Life

Your morning can be that make-or-break time that sets you up for a good day or a bad day. Here are 11 habits you can establish that will put you on the path of stringing together good day after good day.

1. Drink a Glass of Warm Lemon Water

Drinking a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning is an excellent way to get your body going. It’s like oil for the Tinman as it goes to work lubricating all of your different internal systems.

You want the water to be warm so that it’s not a shock to your system first thing in the morning. The lemon will help get your digestive system ready for the coming meals, and makes the water tastier. You can add a bit of honey to it as well if you want to cut down on some of the tartness.

The Rehydration Process

When you wake up in the morning you’ve just gone without water for about 8 hours, so it’s important to turn things around and start up the flow of water again. What you don’t want to do is leave out the water and go along with your day, having breakfast and other beverages before addressing your need for water.

2. Wake Up Earlier

This is priority one because in order to fit in a fantastic morning you’re going to need some extra time compared to your current routine.

If you’ve turned into a night owl because of the peace and quiet it affords, you’ll be equally satisfied by the same peace and quiet an early morning provides, and it’s simply a matter of shifting your personal time to the wee hours of the morning rather than late at night. The difference to your body is noticeable.

The Ideal Time to Wake Up

Wake up in conjunction with circadian rhythms if possible. Civil twilight is a great time to wake up because there will be enough light to see, the birds are chirping, and you still have time to catch the sunrise if you’re keen. Since this time varies by the time of year, it may be more feasible during some seasons than others. Give yourself an hour and a half before you have to be out the door.

3. Scrape Your Tongue

Taking time to scrape your tongue is one morning routine you won’t want to give up once you start it. It helps get rid of morning breath, and also is in line with the rejuvenation process you need to do to make the transition from sleep to wakefulness each day.

As a bonus you’ll be able to taste your food better without the film that’s on your tongue even after brushing your teeth.

The Right Scraper

Some toothbrushes come with a built-in scraper on the back of the head. If yours doesn’t have one you’ll want to invest in one. You can find some that are literally just a plastic triangle-shaped scraper, and others that feature special bristles that are designed to get into the grooves of your tongue. You can also go with the type that is stainless steel and U-shaped to get the job done.

4. Do a Stretching Routine

Here’s a great 5 minute stretch that you can do in the morning to wake your muscles up and get them ready for the day ahead. You should always modify any workout to your own abilities, and search until you find one that resonates with you.

You can also use this time to do a yoga routine, or an exercise routine, if you feel so inclined or are trying to lose weight. However, if you currently aren’t exercising regularly we recommend starting off with just some morning stretches until that becomes a habit, and then transitioning into yoga and other exercises when you organically start to feel like you could do more than just stretch.

How Long Do I Have to Stretch?

When first starting out it doesn’t matter how long you stretch, just as long as you do it. If you only have a few minutes for it, just do a few minutes. You’ll find that as you develop the habit, you’ll end up stretching for longer periods of time, and it will naturally expand on its own without the need to force yourself to do it for a set time.

5. Rebound 100 Times

Rebounding on a mini-trampoline is the perfect morning exercise. It’s zero impact, and perfect for any physical fitness level. You don’t even have to get any air on it for it to be effective. Just lightly bouncing on it is effective for stimulating lymph movement and drainage as well as helping your thyroid.

You can repeat this process a few times per day, whenever you feel like you need a pick-me-up. It helps keep you energized without the use of energy drinks or other sugary or caffeinated beverages.

Firms Up Your Whole Body

You’ll notice that when you first start bouncing you’re kind of going with the flow, but by the time you hit your 100th bounce your body has tightened up considerably, in a good way. This is working each muscle in your body, your leg muscles, core, and upper body. A great way to start the day, get your juices flowing, and just plain feel good!

6. Dry Brush Your Body

Dry brushing the body is an Ayurvedic practice that helps improve your circulation and slough off dead skin cells.

Brushing towards your heart is essential, and you’ll want to start at your extremities and work your way in, covering all of your parts before hopping in the shower.

Dry brushing will help leave your skin feeling smoother, and you’ll notice the difference after you’ve dried off. Apply a moisturizer afterward to retain that suppleness.

Which Brush to Use?

Choose a brush that is good at exfoliating, but not one that is so rough you don’t look forward to using it. A dry loofah or other brush designed to scrub the skin works best. You don’t want it to be too soft on your skin or it won’t do the job, but if you opt for a softer brush you can apply more pressure so that it works.

7. Listen to Uplifting Music or Audiobook

Starting your morning with music you find beautiful, or a book you find inspirational or motivational, is the perfect way to set yourself up for success. It can give you something to look forward to in the morning, and sets you up with the right mindset to greet the day.

You can adjust your music for the type of day you want to have, whether you need something that gets you pumped for an action-packed day, or something more soothing so you can handle a stressful day.

The mind is hungry for new tidbits of information it can go to work on, and you should feed it every day, the same way you feed your body.

Choosing the Right Audio

Whether you pick a group of songs, or an audiobook that inspires you, is up to you. Choose your songs carefully though, as they can get stuck in your head, and if this sort of thing drives you crazy you might be better off listening to a book.

8. Green Smoothie Time

Now that we’ve woken up with the sun, brushed our teeth and scraped our tongue, rehydrated, stretched, rebounded, dry brushed the skin, showered while listening to pleasing music, it’s time to nourish the body with a refreshing green smoothie.

The green part of the smoothie is what’s really going to help boost your energy levels this morning. That’s because it will likely be spinach, kale, or some other leafy green providing phytonutrients, fiber, and minerals. Set a timer for 30 minutes after you drink it and notice how much better you feel.

Finding A Great Green Smoothie Recipe

Check out our list of amazing healthy smoothie recipes and pick the one that sounds most appealing to your morning palate. Just about any non-green smoothie can be made green with the addition of spinach or kale.

9. Meditate for a Few Minutes

Right now you should be in a really happy place, a green smoothie coursing through your digestive system, and all of the helpful things you’ve done should all be having a cumulative effect. There’s no better time to sit and clear your mind for a few minutes.

There’s also no right way to meditate, so if you’ve tried specific methods and didn’t really like it, it’s time to develop your own personal style. Choose a position that you find comfortable, and decide if you’d like music or not. Just sitting and listening to the silence can be enough for most.

Why Just a Few Minutes?

You don’t need to go into a trance or spend an hour in the lotus position to meditate. You can get the benefits from just a few minutes and you’ll see a marked improvement in the upward trend your days start to take. We’re being intentionally vague here because “a few” can mean whatever it means to you, and however you feel in the moment (or what the clock allows in the morning).

10. Smile at Yourself in the Mirror for 30 Seconds

This is a can’t-miss way to boost your self esteem, and once you get into the habit you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it. It’s basically just a matter of designating some time as true “me time” and seeing a happy you reflected back in the mirror.

This works on a number of different levels, but at the core is the ability it gives you to talk right to the bigger part of yourself, the part that is running in the background and getting the important things done.

Make sure you’re smiling, it doesn’t have to be a big goofy grin, just the hint of a smile works, like you’ve got some tricks up your sleeve and you’re ready to show the world what you can do. You’ll be surprised at the positive thoughts this exercise inspires.

Morning Validation

What you’re doing here is basically checking in with yourself, giving yourself that look of determination that you’ll need to make it through the day and accomplish all of your goals. No matter what happens the rest of the day, you’ve at least said hello to that deeper part of yourself and given words of encouragement.

11. Write Out Your Top 3 for the Day

If you lead a busy life chances are things fall through the cracks on a daily basis. To help stop this from happening you should list the three things you really want to get done today, and above all else, make sure they get done.

Once you establish the habit of getting the most important three things of the day done, you’ll be able to build up confidence and go for bigger and bigger things. A funny thing also happens, all of the smaller stuff that you thought needed to get done either does get done without being on your list of three, or fades away because it wasn’t that important to begin with.

Just 3, No More No Less