Why I’m Trying to Become A Morning Person + How to Soothe Dry And Sensitive Skin

I am not a morning person; however, I am determined to become a morning person. I highly doubt I’ll ever be the girl who leaps out of bed at 6am with a smile on her face, but I will claim victory if I can teach myself how to be a semi-functional human being by 8am without consuming copious amounts of caffeine. So why do I want to change my morning routine? Well, despite the fact that it feels like torture to get out of bed each morning, I ultimately have a happier and more productive day when I get an early start. The extra time in the morning allows me to take a shower, eat a healthy breakfast, catch up on my reading, and gently ease into my work day. Plus, when I do start working, I tend to be more focused and productive on the tasks that I need to complete. As much as my body may disagree each morning, I feel better, look better, and think better on days when I don’t waste away the morning relaxing in bed.

Despite all of the positive aspects of becoming an early riser, my brain still tricks me into thinking I should hit the snooze button each morning. And that’s why I’ve moved on Plan B: bribing myself to wake up earlier. If I wake up early, I allow myself to go buy a fancy tea or coffee drink, and I get to listen to a podcast, catch up on my favorite YouTube videos, or read one of my new books. Yes, I am treating myself like a 2-year-old, but you know what? It’s working. The first 5 minutes of the morning are still dreadful, but I feel ready to take on the day by minute 15. Once I’m mildly-caffeinated and my brain starts functioning, it’s time to move on to my second favorite part of the morning: breakfast.

When I sleep in, I rarely have time to eat breakfast, which means I’m sluggish and unproductive until lunchtime. Getting an early start on the day gives me the time to prepare a light and nutritious breakfast that will give me the energy to make the most of my morning at work. St. Ives recently sent me the sweetest package that included bottles of St. Ives Nourish & Soothe Oatmeal & Shea Butter Lotion and the newly-launched St. Ives Nourished & Smooth Oatmeal Body Scrub. My husband and I are both longtime fans of the sweet smell and moisturizing formula of the St. Ives Nourish & Soothe shower gel, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to try out both of these products. The package also included two mason jars filled with a customized oatmeal blend from  OatMeals in NYC. The package literally couldn’t have arrived at a better time because I’ve been looking for quick and healthy breakfast ideas, and the oatmeal jars seemed like a perfect fit.

I prepared one of the oatmeal jars the next morning, and it was love at first bite. The recipe was developed when St. Ives teamed up with Samantha Stephens from OatMeals, an amazing oatmeal bar in NYC, to create an oatmeal recipe inspired by St. Ives’ range of hand and body lotions. The collaboration resulted in the St. Ives Radiance Boost Bowl, which mixes oatmeal, pears, almonds, apricots, cranberries, crystallized ginger, and honey powder to create a breakfast treat packed with nutrition and the perfect amount of sweetness. Both oatmeal jars disappeared within the first two days, and I’ve already attempted to recreate the recipe at home. Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast idea because it’s all-natural, healthy, and filled with nutrients that keep you satiated and energized throughout the day. I love oatmeal on its own, but I have to say that the dried fruit, nuts, ginger, and honey in this recipe really make it taste as good as dessert – but without all the bad stuff!

In addition to being a nutritious breakfast idea, oatmeal also works wonders for dry skin. I remember my grandmother telling me that she’d take milk and oatmeal baths to keep her skin soft, and the Nourish & Soothe line from St. Ives provides the same soothing benefits. I’ve been using the St. Ives Nourished & Smooth Oatmeal Body Scrub in the shower two to three times a week before I shave my legs. Unlike other body scrubs, this formula features 100% natural exfoliants, including walnut shell, silica, oatmeal, honey and glycerin, to gently remove dryness. This product is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin who wants to get your skin ready for the spring sunshine without causing drying or irritation.

After exfoliating, I like to replenish my skin’s moisture with an application of St. Ives Nourish & Soothe Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion. I always love the formulation of St. Ives lotions, and this version does not disappoint. This lotion leaves your skin smooth, soft, and naturally radiant without a greasy residue, and the scent is absolutely heavenly. It smells like a mix of oatmeal, vanilla, and brown sugar-goodness to me, and the lingering scent definitely helps keep me awake throughout the morning.

I also really like that this lotion instantly sinks into your skin. While I’m trying to be a morning person, I still don’t have the patience to apply lotion for half and hour. The natural moisturizers in this lotion, which include shea butter and glycerin, are quick-absorbing, so it’s easy to apply lotion to your entire body within a few minutes. You can find out more information about both products at www.stives.com, and you can pick them up at your local drugstore for only $4.99 each. Taking a few minutes to pamper your skin each morning can have positive impacts on your appearance and your mood, so I highly recommend adding this step to your morning beauty routine.

Dress | Clutch | Shoes | Bracelet | Lipstick

While I’m still in the initial stage of trying to be a morning person, I feel like I’m off to a good start. As I develop good habits, I’m hoping that my body will miraculously learn to enjoy the early hours of the day, and my morning routine will become a reflex instead of a choice. I may still be at the stage where I have to bribe myself with a yummy breakfast, but I’m OK with that if it means I’m waking up earlier. I’d love to know what works for you in your morning routine. Is there anything that you do that helps you feel more refreshed in the mornings? Any secrets to becoming an early riser? This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of St. Ives. The opinions and text are all mine.