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I know some people do mornings, and do them well, but I’ve never been one to enjoy the before 9:00am time frame. When I lived in California, that might have been the only exception because the world I had known and still knew was always three hours ahead of us in the future. Also, and this is a big one, they didn’t have winter there! I didn’t know a life of rounding up snow boots & snow suits! I didn’t know what it was to reach for the car door and find it iced shut – with a cold steering wheel.
Ok, I knew all of that from growing up in New Jersey, but I didn’t know what it was like to do that with kids. It’s hard enough for me to wake up and get myself somewhere, but first, I have to get two kids to two separate places! On time is preferred!
I don’t know if you know this but we got SNOW here in Northampton – in October. Cassidy and I were both weary by the end of the day, because we had done school pickups and icy commutes home in SNOW! In October! We were already exhausted, two months before winter started. So I sat down and made a list of ways to make winter days better. It’s all in how they start. It’s about finding the bright side of the brightest time of the day. It’s about this festive time of year, and starting each day with a spot of magic or two. It’s about sharing in the light with loved ones and finding ways to feel warm and cozy. Comfort and joy!
10 Ways to Make Winter Wake-ups Easier:
1 – I’m starting with my favorite. It’s about connections first thing in the morning, but started the night before! Make sense? Well maybe it’s the writer in me, but I like to send out nice emails, e-cards, gifts, etc. the night before – especially when I’m up late – and then I actually look forward to the morning because that means my loved one is reading my words. And smiling!
2 – Have a drink right when you wake up. I mean it! Water. Water will stimulate the body and help you stay awake!
3 – Do something active. Maybe you’re the type to get up for a run. Maybe you can do a full-blown exercise routine every morning. Maybe it’s just a five minute warmup – or a dance party with your kids. Do something to MOVE!
4 – If you’re already planning a dance party, put on some great music. Music is scientifically and psychologically and all-around proven to help set and maintain our moods. Put on some power ballads or mellow music, or whatever gets you going.
5 – Take a shower as soon as you get out of bed. Not only will it help keep you warm (or hot), the water and the change in temperature will get your circulation going. I also use Peppermint Essential oil in the shower or right after.
6 – Hug someone. For at least 20 seconds, they say, but I say go over those 20 seconds! Heart to heart.
7 – Lights, camera, action. Whether it’s a simple act of opening the curtains, stepping outside, or even investing in an illuminating alarm clock that gradually lights up a room like a summer morning, I always use light to my best advantage.
8 – Have something to look forward to – and then count down to it. For us, it’s the holidays, of course, with advent calendars and the like. We also have an annual winter Florida trip and Des never lets us forget to count down to it!
9 – Preparation is key. Prep whatever you can the night before – whether it’s your outfit for the next morning, your breakfast, and of course – your morning coffee (see #10). You can also prep by getting the right amount of sleep!
10 – Rock that coffee routine! Just rock it! First, head to Target and check out the “Coffee Classics” section in the coffee aisle. In my Target, there was this awesome Cartwheel offer:
Then, look for some awesome coffee creamers:
Back at home, make yourself a little coffee bar, or little coffee section, and find whatever it is to help you feel warm and cozy and comfortable during the holiday season, and all of winter. Make EVERY morning a celebration of coffee!
Not only is a self-coffee-celebration a good time, I think about the house guests – like my parents – who will be staying with us many times during the holiday season. I bought Simply Pure® Caramel Creamer and International Delight® Frosted Sugar Cookie with my mom in mind. Then, Folgers® Red Can Classic Roast is the ultimate picture of winter, winter mornings, the holidays, and holiday mornings. You can’t get better than this! Honestly! I look forward to it every morning.
Heading to Target this holiday season? Of course you are!
This morning almost ended me. It was a toasty 50 degrees outside! Ouch! I missed the mark on your #9 point and all was almost lost….Luckily, we pulled it through. Just barely!
50? I would love that! #9.. I’m pretty terrible at that one. Working on it!
So not a morning person here, so I just appreciate any and all advice, especially for those cold, winter mornings that will be finding us one way or the other now. So thank you for that 😉
Well, thank you! If we lived closer, we could have coffee together and then we’d be in better moods!
Oh my gosh, how cute is that little sweater for your coffee mug?! I love that. You are so right about prepping what you can the night before so you can get more out of your morning. And yes to water! I gulp a big glass before my coffee every day. 🙂 #client
A fellow blogger sent me those sweater mugs for the whole family last Christmas! She also sent hot cocoa mixes, but I’ve been using mine for my favorite – coffee!!
Yay for coffee, hugs and dance parties! Yes, we really do not have a real winter here, but it gets chilly.I start every morning with a hot cup of coffee, it is one of my favorite times of the day.
I miss those California “winters” so much!!
Yes!! The promise of coffee–the heat, the taste, the aroma– THAT is often what gets me out of bed!
The smell. It’s like no other! And when combined with bacon..
I couldn’t imagine getting snow in October. That’s way too much cold for early fall.
It’s happened a few times now! And two years ago we got six inches of snow before Thanksgiving. Oy!
I love my morning coffee ritual, and I drink decaf so it isn’t for the caffeine. I almost always drink a glass of water the night before (and try to remember to fill our water pitcher the night before) and do yoga in the morning. Lately I’ve been bad about the latter…too much work to do in the morning this week!
I mostly do decaf too!! I like the smell of the Folgers regular for Cassidy and our house guests, and I can do maybe.. half a cup successfully.
A water pitcher is a great idea!
Your photos didn’t load the first time I read this post, and I was think boy, that’s really weird! Then I refreshed the link and up popped your photos! Phew! Thursday it was a balmy 70 degrees in Chicagoland, and this morning we have snow flurries. How rude! I always give my daughters a nice squeeze when they wake up in the mornings. 🙂
I’m glad they reloaded!
It was 62 here yesterday and it is right now too. Feels great! Tomorrow should be a 20 degree drop. Yikes.
Great tips! I wish I could take a shower first thing but I take a bath before bed so I can sleep well. Seems a little wasteful to have a shower in the morning too.
I struggle with getting up during the winter months. My body just wants to sleep and stay warm under the covers. Hibernation time! lol
I actually really want to get one of those sunrise alarm clocks so I can gradually wake up to a brightening room. Man that would help me a tonne!
Coffee is my go-to though.
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Getting up is pretty hard for me! Although I can do the 8-9am zone quite well!
Makes total sense about the bath/shower thing!
I am wedded to my coffee ritual in the morning. The smell and sound of my coffee is irreplaceable. It’s a simple, but lasting comfort.
I love that. When I was pregnant with Scarlet, I didn’t find coffee repulsive, but I was indifferent to it. That was sad! I missed that passion for it. Luckily I got it all back.
I’m a summer boy! I don;t even like winters in northeast Florida. Your suggestion of getting up and moving, for me running, is the best thing I’ve ever found.
It really makes a difference!
I can’t stand winter and every winter, I question living here. Heat and humidity are worse for me, though. I need to be a snowbird one day. I know it.
It’s so hard to get up during the cold winter months. The house, and especially the bed, feel warm, comfy and cozy. Which makes you want to sleep way past your alarm clock. I drink a bottle of water first thing in the morning; it gets me started the right way. A 20-second hug is pretty special; it can turn anybody’s frown upside down.
I am lucky if I get a sip in before I start my day. I’m the worst about water, but starting first thing is so smart!!
Those are some great tips. Sounds like you have got experience with early winter mornings 🙂 I actually do like to get up somewhat early these days, but only because it is total me-time that early and I can edit photos, draw or meditate. But, of course, I will have my coffee.
I feel like I’ve been through it all! In high school I had to get up at 5:20! Then in college I did later classes. My longterm office job in Jersey was 11-8 so I’d sleep until 9. Then in SF, I didn’t start work until two. And now.. I have kids. So much up and down!
Well, like that – it doesn’t get boring and you are in no danger to get into the same rut day in, day out
So true! Although I imagine one day it will slow down and hopefully stay that way!
These are wonderful ideas! The first one is so sweet, and I really need to remember to do the second 🙂
I’m dreadful with #2. Then I get thirsty and want juice instead! The first one is kinda my thing – for anti-anxiety, for everything.
Oh I love these! Especially the drink water first thing! I used to be so good at this and then I fell off. I need to restart!!
Same!! I’m currently off the wagon and it’s not good!
I wish I liked coffee! I do love the smell though. I do drink water first thing though. So that’s something I guess!
I like the smell even better than the taste, actually!
And yes – that’s BIG that you do that!
We are currently under about 2 feet of snow, but oddly enough, it’s not freezing just yet. But frozen van doors. check. Windshield wipers so frozen with ice they are useless while driving. check. Bus cancellations. Check. Full container of hot cocoa and a bag of the big marshmallows? check. check. This is it — Winter has arrived. I need cool boots. That’s my secret to survival. Because of course you know Canada will NOT have that Sugar Cookie creamer available here and yes I am pouting in the corner in my new boots.
Ohh, I really like your “winter survival kit” ideas. I’m in.
Cool boots are key.
Frosted Sugar Cookie creamer almost makes me wish I liked coffee!
You’re not the first to say that! I think you could have it other ways, though.