As the frosty grasp of winter settles in, leaving the cosy warmth of bed in the mornings is not easy. The biting cold and reduced daylight can make waking up in winter a pain, especially if you’re not a morning person, to begin with..
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. All you need to start your day off on a better note is a good set of morning rituals! Setting the intention to get out of bed & take a few moments to prepare yourself for the day can work wonders in brightening your morning!
Let’s look at 5 morning rituals to get you up in winter!
Warm lemon water to start
We know coffee is a must in the mornings, but a comforting cup of warm water infused with a squeeze of fresh lemon works wonders for your body. This simple yet effective habit not only hydrates your body after a long night’s sleep, but also stimulates digestion, boosts your immune system, and provides a much-needed dose of vitamin C to ward off winter blues.
Gentle stretches
Get your blood pumping with a series of gentle stretches in the morning. Stretching helps improve circulation, release tension, and warms up your muscles. Incorporate stretches that target your neck, back, and limbs, allowing yourself to gently dispel any stiffness, which is always exacerbated by the cold.
If you’re not sure where to start, YouTube has a plethora of 10-minute yoga sessions to choose from, see what works for you!
Getty
Let there be light
Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist, and podcaster, recommends viewing morning sunlight as soon as possible after waking.
In an article published on Huberman’s website, he says:
“Viewing sunlight within the first hours of waking (as soon as you can, even if through cloud cover) increases early-day cortisol release (the ideal time for elevated cortisol) and prepares the body for sleep later that night. A morning spike in cortisol will also positively influence your immune system, metabolism, and ability to focus during the day.”
“Further, morning sunlight helps regulate your ‘circadian clock’ — the body’s mechanism for anticipating when to wake up and go to sleep — and it manages other biological processes like hunger and body temperature.”
5 minutes of direct sunlight after waking on sunny mornings, or 15-20 minutes on overcast mornings, will be enough to kick your body into gear.
Mindfulness in the cold
Practice meditation or breathing exercises to make your winter mornings feel less rushed and chaotic. After waking, while you get your dose of sunlight, set aside a few moments for mindful reflection and meditation.
Focus on your breath, inhaling the crisp winter air and exhaling any tension or stress. Cultivating a sense of calm and presence early in the day can have a profound impact on your overall well-being!
ALSO SEE: Just keep breathing – discover the Wim Hof breathing method for wellness
A lesson from the Danes
Embrace the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ which celebrates cosiness, comfort, and well-being. Rather than rushing to start your day, set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier and enjoy the cosiness of your warm bed! Why deny yourself a few extra minutes, when there’s room to plan it into your morning?
We recommend combining these first few moments of the day in bed with gratitude journaling. Being mindful about what you’re grateful for can actually ‘flip a switch’ in your brain and gear your perspective towards positivity. Just what you need to start a chilly winter morning!
ALSO SEE:
Feature Image: Getty
