Lifestyle

Ready to reset your cortisol? Try this 10 minute morning routine of stress-reducing stretches

By Vogue Scandinavia's Video Team

Habits are the key to making healthier choices, and sometimes you have to start small. From breath work to a Vinyasa flow, all you need is this 10-minute morning routine to make a change for the better

Kickstart your morning with Swedish workout aficionado and health coach Ida B Olsson and enjoy a revitalising 10-minute stress-reducing stretch and breathwork flow. Blending lymphatic massage, mindful breathing, and fluid vinyasa movements, this routine lowers cortisol and boosts healthy circulation, making it ideal for busy mornings or a midday refresher.

Try Ida B Olsson's 10-minute morning stretch routine to reduce stress:

Breathwork

  • Inhale deeply into your belly, add a short inhale on top, then sigh out to release tension.

Lymphatic Massage

  • Gently press beneath your collarbone to open the lymphatic system.
  • Tap and sweep your hands upward and inward, directing flow toward the centre of your body.
  • Spend extra time on larger lymph nodes around the collarbone, armpits, hip flexors, and behind the knees.

Vinyasa Flow

  • Inhale to open your chest, exhale to close and gently stretch.
  • Half lift on the inhale, fold forward on the exhale.
  • Lower onto your belly, roll your shoulders back, and lift gently on the inhale; release on the exhale.
  • Roll onto one side to twist your lower back.
  • Alternate Cat (inhale, gaze up) and Cow (exhale, gaze down) to warm your spine, adding circular movements for a full spinal release.
  • Stretch your triceps in Child’s Pose, then flow up to Downward Facing Dog, gently moving your body.
  • Transition between Downward Dog and Cobra to maintain circulation.
  • Turn your toes outward and open your left hip, focusing on lengthening the body. Ease into a hamstring stretch, then move to Half Pigeon, lifting your back leg for a quad stretch. Repeat on the other side.
  • In Malasana (wide-legged squat), inhale to lift one arm and exhale to lower it.
  • Gently release outer leg tension, then activate your core in Navasana (Boat Pose).
  • Finish with Bridge Pose for an extra boost of heat and hip openness.

Closing
Lie down and set a positive intention for your day that uplifts you and helps maintain a calm, energised mindset.