Ask an Expert: How to Create a Morning Routine to Maintain Your Sanity While Self-Quarantined

We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!

Photo: Courtesy of Lauren Gores Ireland

Now, more than ever, a consistent morning routine can help establish a sense of stability and control. But while we’re all social distancing and, in many cases, self-quarantining, establishing am A.M. ritual can be easier said than done (especially for all those working parents out there—we see you!)

For the latest installment of our Ask an Expert series, we tapped Lauren Gores Ireland, an established lifestyle content creator and the co-founder of the clean skincare line Summer Fridays, to chat through the benefits of having a solid morning routine amid the coronavirus crisis. Read on for her go-to supplements to ease anxiety, skincare, and fitness tips, then keep scrolling to find out how to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram.

1. Kick Off the Day With Feel-Good Supplements

Of course, you should review any supplements that you take with your doctor, but here are some of the supplements that are currently helping Ireland stay calm in these uncertain times:

  • Moon Juice Magnesi- Om Powder. ”If you’re feeling some anxious feelings, which are very normal, I love this magnesium powder,” she divulges. 

  • Moon Juice SuperYou. “I usually take two tablets in the morning,” Ireland notes.

  • 8 Green Effervescent Tablet. “These are amazing, you get all your greens in one tablet,” she says. “I started taking these when I was pregnant with my son because eating greens would make me feel ill and I’ve been taking them ever since.”

  • Sovereign Silver Drops. “These are really good for immune support, but they’re not the tastiest things ever,” she cautions.

2. Indulge in a Multi-Step Skincare Routine

“It’s a good time to take advantage of those face mask or hair masks you’ve always been wanting to do,” advises Ireland. Below, is the morning skincare routine she’s currently following:

  • First things first, she cleanses her face with Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser.

  • Then, she applies Summer Fridays CC Me Serum to clean skin. “This is amazing for hyper-pigmentation and gives you an instant glow,” says Ireland.

  • Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is amazing for hydration,” she notes. “One of my tricks is to keep one of my Jet Lag Masks in the fridge so it’s cooling and I’ll put a little bit on under my eyes in the morning which is great for puffiness.”

  • Next up is Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. “This is our new lip balm,” she shares. “It’s buttery, not greasy; I’ve been lathering this on several times a day.”

  • To top it off, she adds a touch of Glossier Cloud Paint to her cheekbones. “It adds a little color and feels like a happy boost,” notes Ireland.

3. Get Your Body Moving With a Mini-Workout

“I’ve been trying to do a mini-workout every day,” says Ireland. “Each morning, I’ve been sharing three exercises that are really easy to do at home and don’t require any equipment on my Instagram.”

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive workout, Ireland highly recommends the following fitness apps and programs:

Even if you don’t have time for a workout, just stretch to move your body a little bit, advises Ireland. “For me, workouts offer a sense of escape, and it’s important to do some kind of workout every day,” she notes. “Whatever it is that makes you move your body and feel like you’ve got a little bit of energy.”

About the Expert: Lauren Gores Ireland is a female business owner, entrepreneur, wife, and mother—sharing her passion behind what it means to imperfectly juggle her roles both at work and at home. She is an established lifestyle content creator and the co-founder of the successful, clean skincare line Summer Fridays.

Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert

Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!