The best morning routine for the colder months

Put a spring in your step even on the coldest of mornings with the best morning routine

Dark mornings and the howling wind make most of us want to hit the snooze button and burrow under the covers.

Colder autumn mornings can be brutal on our morning routine and have a knock-on effect on the rest of the day, even affecting our sleep hygiene the next night.

For better mornings and better sleep, implement a morning routine into your day. With the help of Aspire, find your best morning routine for autumn for better sleep and wellbeing.

Does a morning routine make a difference to wellbeing and better sleep?

Research suggests that a successful morning routine leads to increased productivity and happiness, reduced stress and will get you starting the day on the metaphorical right foot. The best morning routine sets you in control of the day, not the other way around.

Having a morning routine that works the best for you will also see you reaping benefits when it comes to mental and physical wellbeing, better sleep hygiene and boosted motivation - whatever the weather.

What is the best morning routine?

Let’s be straight – there is no ‘best morning routine’ that is right for everyone. Different things work for different people and circumstances. Just because a two-mile run when the rooster crows works for someone, doesn’t mean you need to dig up your running shoes.

The best morning routine for you will be one that works specifically for you. Think of it as picking foods from a buffet of options to create your perfect meal.

Choosing the best morning routine for you

For successful morning routines in the colder months, choose the best morning routine ideas that work for you.

• “Before I go to sleep…”

The best morning routines start the night before. Change your ‘before I go to sleep, I’ll just do one more thing…’ into heading off to bed earlier. Your mornings are already off to a bad start if you’ve not managed to get enough sleep in the night.

• Set an alarm

Allow yourself enough time to get ready by setting an alarm and resisting the snooze button. If getting up in the dark feels impossible, set a lamp on a timer or buy an alarm clock with a light.

• Do some exercise

The last thing on your mind? Don’t worry – even simple stretches can get your body going. If you are an early bird, a short workout (or that few-mile run) will get your blood pumping and ready to take on the day.

• Hydrate

Our bodies dehydrate during sleep, which is why having a glass of water should be a must in your morning routine. Warm lemon water is also excellent for hydration and firing up your metabolism in the winter months – and we won’t deny you your cup of coffee either.

• Eat a healthy breakfast

Not everyone is a morning eater, but whether it’s a quick smoothie or a full English, having breakfast gives you a nutritious start to the day.

• Have a wash

A cold shower gets you wide awake, but it’s not for everyone – especially in the winter! Yet a quick wash, whatever the temperature, washes off the cobwebs like nothing else.

• Keep warm

Snuggle up in your dressing gown, as you have breakfast to ward off unpleasant chills during your morning routine. Setting the heating half an hour earlier than your alarm will make the winter mornings more pleasant too!

• Keep it simple

Don’t overdo your morning routine with a tick list of things to do. The best morning routines are simple and tailored for you. Mornings can be stressful, especially if you have children, so keep the morning routine simple and consisting only of things that work for you.

The colder months and sleep hygiene

What has worked for you in the summer may need some adjusting during the winter as changes in the body, environment and weather affect sleep patterns in various ways.

How does the cold affect sleep?

Colder temperatures actually make it easier to drop off quicker yet being cold while sleeping can affect the quality of sleep.

Being cold causes restlessness and an increased heart rate, leading to disrupted sleep. The lack of light also increases the production of melatonin (sleep hormone), making us sleepier. On a positive note, colder months tend to lower the level of stress hormones.

The important point to take away is that while the cold affects sleep, there are simple solutions to combat this, like wearing warmer nightwear.

What is your best morning routine tip for the colder months? Let us know on our Facebook page!