The toughest part about winters can be getting out of the bed on winter mornings. It takes a strong will as you have to leave your cozy warm blanket and get up to tackle your day.
While the thought of staying in your bed sounds tempting, it can ruin your productivity for the rest of the day. It is essential to follow a healthy winter morning routine - one that can help you be energized and tackle the day ahead.
9 Step Productive Morning Routine for winters
Here are 9 steps you should follow for the best winter morning routine:
Step 1) Wake up at the same time every day
Since the sun rises late in winter, you have the liberty to sleep for some more time. However, you must try to wake up at the same time every day.
A consistent winter morning routine helps you stay productive throughout and maintain a stable lifestyle. A constant wake time and sleep time acts like an internal body clock, and also helps in improving your sleep quality. If you are an entrepreneur, check out these healthy sleeping habits for entrepreneurs that you must adapt.
Pro Tip: Your body does not know whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, so decide a suitable wake up time that works for both. This will help you get consistent regardless of what day it is.
Step 2) Winter Morning Movement
Humans have evolved to wake up and move. It is vital to start your morning routine in winters with some movement - from a simple exercise to a light run with your puppy - movement can be in any form.
This helps in charging your body and gets your blood flowing. And it leaves you feeling better than you did before you started.
Pro Tip: Dedicate 10 mins of your morning to fun exercise or Zumba. This helps you get rid of sleep and also provides a fun start to your day. Put on your favorite song and sing out loud (or not), and dance!
Step 3) Get Morning Light
Expose yourself to natural light during winter mornings. When the first ray of light hits your eyes, it signals your mind to wake up. It is important to have the first light of the day as a natural form of light.
Get sun for at least 5 minutes. This will rejuvenate your body and prepare you for the day ahead. The natural light exposure also ensures a healthy intake of Vitamin C that helps you stay productive throughout. Ensure you do not directly look at the sun. Closing your eyes and feeling the warmth does the trick too.
Step 4) Meditate
Along with physical movement, it is equally important to begin your day with some meditation. This allows you some time to yourself - to relax and analyze your thoughts and plan your day productively.
A consistent meditation practice improves your mental well-being and is a very powerful habit to adapt. Moreover, it gives your morning routine for winter break a great start.
Pro Tip: Start with just a 5-minute meditation session and commit to this practice every day. Simply close your eyes, breathe in, and breathe out. Monitor your thoughts as this will give you an idea of where your head’s at, and what you need to tackle. You can even write these out so they’re out of your head.
Step 5) Take a Warm Shower
It sounds appealing, and it’s good for you!? Yes! The results will surprise you. A warm shower is an excellent way to energize you, help any stiffness, and improve your sleep, so you can create a wonderful morning routine cycle!
According to an article in Town and Country Mag, a temperate bath makes your immunity stronger and fights off all germs from your body. Moreover, you will feel fresh and charged up for the day, thereby increasing your productivity.
Step 6) Begin Your Day with Journaling
The best way to get your body moving, especially in winters, is to start your day mindfully and be ready with your action plan. The easiest way to do that is through journaling. Take a few moments to plan your day's course, visualize your tasks, prioritize them, and make your goals.
It is one of the most preferred steps for a productive morning routine for winters. Plus, journaling can also be a great tool that helps you connect with your mind and support your mental well-being for you to move forward in the day. Hence, make journaling a mandatory part of your morning routine.
Pro Tip: Make yourself a personal journaling diary so that it fascinates you to write something before you begin the day.
Step 7) Start with a Motivational Message
A strong piece of motivation helps you build a good winter morning routine. Many people need an extra push in the mornings, especially during winters. Whether you are a good listener or a good reader - find yourself some motivation in the morning.
Read a few pages from your favorite motivational writer, or listen to a motivational speaker that resonates with you. From podcasts to YouTube - the online world is filled with such messages that can help you seize your day!
Pro Tip: Search “Motivational talk” on YouTube, try a few, and you’ll end up loving at least one that will become your constant go-to!
Step 8) Have a Healthy Breakfast
A nourishing breakfast is important for a winter or summer morning routine. A healthy nutrient intake at the start of the day gives you the energy needed to pull off the entire day.
Plan your morning in a manner that you have enough time to eat your breakfast. Ensure you’re hydrated, and ensure protein is a part of your breakfast.
When your stomach gets its source of proteins and nutrients, your mind also remains calm and sets the tone for a productive day ahead.
Having a protein coffee in the morning is an amazing way to boost energy, and get your protein at the beginning of the day.
Step 9) Prioritize Your Day
With these healthy morning routine ideas, you have ideally followed all the practices for a productive day, and are now prepared to begin an awesome day ahead!
Take a look at your schedule to get a clarity on your tasks for the day. You may write down all the tasks and sort them as per importance. Plan your day’s schedule so that you are successfully able to achieve all your goals, and wrap up your day with a sense of accomplishment.
Check out some easy goal setting activities that you can incorporate in your everyday life.
Pro Tip: Award yourself with a small appreciation gift (even if it’s a mental self affirmation that you recite) every day you achieve your goals. This will motivate you to accomplish all your tasks.
Conclusion
Setting yourself up with a mindful winter morning routine makes all the difference in your day. Taking small steps like waking up early, gentle exercising, and staying mindfully awake throughout the day will surely make you feel good and keep all the laziness away.
When you incorporate these tiny changes in your morning routine, you will keep yourself happy and productive.