10 Ways to Make Winter Mornings Easier

Let’s be honest, winter mornings are hard. They’re dark, they’re cold, and they might even be plagued by rain or snow, making the prospect of crawling out of your toasty bed all the more harrowing. Unfortunately, we can’t hibernate until the earth thaws and we can, once again, wake to the songs of spring sparrows. But we can make the dreary mornings a little more cheerful for ourselves and our families. Here are 10 ideas to help motivate your Military Family on winter mornings.

1. Rise to the sun

Do you miss having the rising sun filter in through your window? You can recreate the sunrise inside with a sunrise alarm clock. Rather than ravishing your morning with a blaring alarm, this clock slowly gets brighter and brighter to help you wake up peacefully and naturally. Or, try setting your bedside lamp on a timer, so it turns on with your alarm. Similarly, when it’s time for your kids to get up, turn on the lights in their bedrooms. They’ll be much less tempted to fall asleep.

2. Set your coffee to brew

There’s nothing quite like a mug of freshly brewed coffee to get your morning started. If your coffee maker has a timer function, set it to brew before you get out of bed, so you’re welcomed into the kitchen by the invigorating aroma. No timer function? Safely set up your coffee maker in your room, so it can brew as you’re getting ready. Likewise, offer your kids a mug of hot tea or hot cocoa to sip on before heading off to school.

3. Perk up with aromatherapy

Some scents have a naturally uplifting and invigorating effect on us, such as bright citruses and energetic peppermint. Diffuse essential oils throughout your house to put your whole family in a cheery mood. And, before heading out the door, dab of few drops of oil on your family’s wrists and the back of their necks, so they can take the sunshine-y scents with them.

4. Give yourself something to look forward to

It can be extra hard to wake up if you’re not enthusiastic about the day ahead. Rather than just having work or school or chores on your mind in the morning, give yourself something exciting to look forward to. This could be another chapter from the book you can’t put down, a few minutes of your favorite TV show, or an extra special breakfast.

5. Get groovin’

Listening to music is a great way to get motivated and energized. Play fun dance music or lively instrumental music loud enough for your whole house to hear. It may feel strange to blasts some tunes while the rest of the world seems to be asleep, but you’ll love the way it picks up your whole family’s mood and starts the day on a positive note.

6. Take a hot shower

Okay, this one’s a bit of a no-brainer because a steamy shower is one of the best things to look forward to on a cold winter’s morning. Make it extra invigorating by using citrus or eucalyptus scented soaps, which have an uplifting effect, and singing and dancing to your favorite songs (just be careful not to slip!).

7. Lay it all out

You’ll want to get into cozy clothing as soon as you get out of bed or the shower, so make sure they’re at the ready. Take a few extra moments the night before to lay out your outfit for the next day, so you’re not scrambling (and freezing!) the morning of. Extra points for laying your clothes out on the heater or another toasty spot for an extra cozy treat.

8. Have a warm breakfast

It can be tempting to scarf down whatever’s the most convenient in the morning but having a warm, nourishing breakfast can set the day off on the right foot. Swap cereal and milk for oatmeal, toast your bagel, or, if you have extra time, make a filling plate of bacon and eggs.

9. Get your blood pumping

Switch your daily workout to the morning, so you warm up and perk up right away. Lacking motivation? Wear your workout clothes to bed so you have no excuse to skip out on exercising. Even a few light yoga stretches or sun salutations will do the trick.

10. Sort out your sleep

Believe it or not, the main key to having an easy morning is getting enough sleep the night before. It’s recommended that adults get 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night, so make sure you’re hitting that mark. If not, it’s time to focus on your nightly routine and start getting to get earlier or addressing any reason you may not be getting a restful sleep.