Welcome to My Morning Routine, where Ellie Goulding and other good-life gurus share their personal (frequently surprising, often healthy) morning rituals—to help you make your a.m.’s more awesome. 

Ellie GouldingSinger, songwriter, and ambassador to Core Water

I usually wake up and have a green tea everyday first thing. I may even have another one–I’m pretty obsessed with green tea. I also listen to music. It’s such an important thing for keeping my anxiety at bay. I listen to a lot of meditation music and classical music. And then I’ll do a workout before I eat anything: yoga, running, Barry’s Bootcamp, or things like Insanity, which is just your bodyweight so you don’t need equipment.

I think people sometimes don’t make the connection between working out and mental health, but I think there’s something about keeping the blood pumping every day and making sure that the circulation is good. I feel so much better about myself when I’ve done a workout, even if it’s not hardcore. I just feel that endorphin release and that energy. I think it’s important to respect your body and to listen to it and to keep yourself agile, keep yourself moving. For me, it’s one of the most beneficial things you can do for your mental health.

Most days, after I exercise, I make a smoothie with kale, banana, almond butter, cold water, vegan protein powder, and some spirulina—half of a banana covers up the pond taste. I don’t eat meat or fish, so I get my protein that way. The smoothie gives me energy; then I head to the studio.

Insanity’s not the only workout Ellie Goulding does on the reg. The superstar also uses this app, and find out how fitness helped her overcome panic attacks and anxiety.