It can be hard to find motivation and strength during the winter. Not only is waking up more difficult than usual, but getting out of the house and keeping to your healthy routine feels like a challenge. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find winter morning habits to help keep you going. Check out these six winter morning habits to start practicing to help give you motivation and to keep those winter blues away.
6. Limit Phone Use
It’s common knowledge now that phones are not only distracting but can actually be harmful. Waking up and going right to your phone screen not only doesn’t help your mental health, but we’re jumping right into the pressures of the day. While it seems harmless, you’re most likely to start feeling negative effects like anger, frustration, and envy. Checking the phone for the weather and time can be benefitcial, but scrolling on social media is just harmful.
5. Morning Yoga
Yoga in the morning is an all-around amazing habit to start, especially in the winter when we’re feeling more sluggish than normal. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that yoga helps in several ways, including stress management, balance, mental health, and weight control. Yoga right away can also help you slowly wake up with gentle stretches, which helps you feel more focused and productive throughout the day.
4. Warm Drinks
There’s nothing like a warm drink in the morning to start a chilly day. While you can start brewing a cup of coffee first thing, it’s beneficial to opt for more beneficial and hydrating options, such as herbal tea, water with lemon, or even ghee water to help kickstart your metabolism and feel nourished. This is easily one of the best winter morning habits to start doing.
3. Step Outside
One of the best winter morning habits, while daunting, is to simply step outside each morning. This can be a great way to cool off after a yoga session, or just to get a breath of fresh air. The chill might be intimidating, but your body will appreciate it. Most people avoid going outside as much as possible during the winter, causing the winter blues. However, stepping out just once in the morning is a great benefit to your mental health.
2. Let Light In
Along the same lines as walking outside, one of the best winter morning habits to start doing is letting in natural light. During the winter, it gets dark too quickly at night. Because of this, most of us are not getting enough sunlight, which causes seasonal depression. Pull the curtains back, stand next to the windows, or even invest in artificial light to boost the mood.
1. Wake Up Gently
One of the best winter morning habits to start doing this season is simply waking up slowly. Set the timer back a couple of minutes to include this in your schedule if needed. Instead of waking up in a rush, it’s best to wake up gently. Lie in bed a bit longer just to get your mind prepared for the morning. Stretch before starting your routine. Most of us feel a winter slump in the morning, but by waking up and easing into the day, you’ll feel more energized and prepared.