Productivity Tip:

Practice Non-Judgmental Listening

Want to boost your relationships and reduce your own stress? Try practicing non-judgmental listening. When talking with someone, focus on listening without interrupting or forming opinions. Instead of thinking about what to say next or making judgments, simply be present (we know—not always as easy as it sounds!).

Being a non-judgmental listener can deepen connections, increase empathy, and even lower anxiety for both you and the person you’re speaking with. It also encourages the speaker to feel heard and understood, which is incredibly powerful for emotional well-being.

So, next time someone shares something, focus fully on their words and try reflecting back their feelings. With this approach, conversations are more meaningful. Everybody wins! Why not give it a try?

Routine Breakdown

Gemma Stuart, Founder of Gut Wealth

A Gut Health Expert’s Morning Non-Negotiable

Entrepreneur Gemma Stuart, founder of award-winning food supplement Gut Wealth, says she has a few morning non-negotiables that set her up for a smooth day. She:

The Routine:

• Wakes at 6:30-7:00 and spends the first 20 minutes scrolling through overnight orders and customer queries. “I’m told by multiple sources that scrolling straight away is not a good start to the day, but it settles me before I head for my morning walk or yoga class.”
• Gets moving. “I use the ClassPass app as it allows me the flexibility to find yoga classes to fit my schedule rather than be wedded to one studio. It’s also great for when I’m travelling as I can find classes in the local area. I wouldn’t be without it.” Her favorite is a 60-minute hot yoga class. 
• Hydrates and takes supplements. “While of course I’m biased, I do take my own Gut Wealth sachet every morning. It’s an absolute must that I give my gut that abundance of beneficial bacteria to start my day and keep my IBS symptoms at bay. I also take a brilliant brain supplement called Noggin to keep me sharp and focused. They’re the dream team for me.” 
• Has a morning meeting with her second-in-command. “We meet every day at 8:40 to go through actions for the day. It keeps us both accountable, and it’s consistent and helpful to set the day up for success.”

Why it works:

• It’s true: experts say scrolling first thing is a no-no since it can interrupt our brain’s natural process of waking. That said, Gemma knows what works for her! Plus, she keeps her device use to a controlled 20 minutes so it doesn’t take over her day. 
• Using ClassPass ensures Gemma gets her morning exercise in, no matter where she is. And in case you were wondering, hot yoga has a bunch of research-backed benefits.
• Gut Wealth contains powerful probiotics, which are proven to be great for gut health. 
• Consistently meeting at the same time each day makes it a no-brainer: less time and stress spent on scheduling and back-and-forth communications.

How do you feel about reaching for your devices first thing in the morning? Do you find it works for you?