Winter Morning Routine Ideas to Start the Year Right
If you’re anything like me, your morning can set the tone for your entire day. With the start of a new year, I’ve been focused on creating a winter morning routine that’s both calming and energizing. It’s become my time to focus on self-care, wellness, and a little bit of mindfulness before the hustle and bustle of my day begins. Here’s a peek into my recent winter morning routine. Perhaps it will inspire you to create a soothing routine for your morning. Be forewarned, I’m a slow starter in the morning and like to savor the quiet time before things get busy.
My Winter Morning Routine
Dental Hygiene
The number of dental electronics I rely on these days is pretty funny, but I have no intention of giving any of them up. My teeth need all the help I can give them so I’m all in on the tools.
The moment my feet hit the floor, I take care of my nightguard. My daughter recently gifted me this new retainer cleaner, and it’s been a game-changer. It’s so much cleaner than when I used to just drop it in a cup of water with a cleaning tablet. I drop my nightguard in there to clean while I move on with my routine. Although I hate wearing a nightguard…I’m a night clencher and have chipped more crowns than I care to count, so now I wear mine every night. It was an expensive learning 😁.
Hydrate and Refresh
Next, turn the heat on in the house, hop back into bed, listen to spa music, and drink a big glass of water. I have a hard time making myself drink enough water during the day, so I’ve begun keeping a glass thermos full of water by the bed to refill my drinking glass.
I drink a full 8 oz when I take my Seed probiotic, then refill the glass to encourage me to sip more. Probiotics support gut health, which is essential for many things, like proper nutrient absorption and a strong immune system.
Tea and Reading Time
I grab a cup of tea, get back into bed (I told you I was a slow starter), and read for a bit. Right now, I’m rereading Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life. I love this little book, which is an inspiring read that’s perfect for slower winter mornings. I’ve also been listening in the car to an audiobook called Njuta: The Swedish Art Of Savoring The Moment…which is what I try to do with my morning ritual. You can find more motivating and inspirational book recommendations here.
LED Mask and Meditation
After I’ve downed my second glass of water and read for a bit, I spritz my face with this Tower28 spray in preparation for using my LED Face and BIB Mask for my neck and chest. The spray has antiseptic properties and is super calming for my rosacea. I’ve been using these LED masks off and on for several years, but with my latest consistency, I’m seeing a brighter and clearer complexion, so I’m encouraged to continue.
The masks turn off in precisely 10 minutes, so since my eyes are closed, I use that time to meditate using the Insight Timer app on my phone. It’s free and has tons of guided meditations to choose from, depending on how I’m feeling that morning. It’s the perfect way to clear my mind and get grounded for the day.
Movement and Fresh Air
A few days a week, I head to Pilates for a workout that leaves me feeling strong and stretched. On the days I skip Pilates, I make it a point to go for a walk outside. Fresh air and movement always lift my mood, even when it’s chilly.
Before stepping outside, I never skip sunscreen. I’m currently using Unseen Sunscreen. If you prefer a face sunscreen that is unscented, invisible, and weightless, this is the one for you. It’s easy to wear, even under makeup. I also throw on a hat for extra sun protection. I have this one, and I love it for my daily walks. It’s not the chicest hat, but it protects the side of my face and the back of my neck, plus the cord keeps it securely on my head in the wind.
Shower and Skincare
After my workout or walk, I hop in the shower and lather up with Nécessaire Eucalyptus Body Wash. I am totally obsessed with its fresh eucalyptus scent, which makes my shower feel and smell like a spa.
Once I’m out of the shower, I apply this retinol lotion. I’ve tried a lot of different ones over the last few years, and this is my current favorite. It’s making a huge difference in my battle with crepey skin. This one is a little pricey, so you can find my list of top retinol lotions I’ve discovered in this post.
Power Breakfast
By this point, I have intermittent fasted for about 16-17 hours, which is how I’ve recently lost 10 pounds. To refuel, I whip up a protein-packed shake, which holds me over until late afternoon when I have a Matcha. My go-to recipe includes:
- Truvani Protein Powder
- Frozen cherries (great for inflammation and arthritis)
- Peanut butter…high high-calorie, but I love the taste
- Two cups of raw spinach
- A scoop of this Marine collagen
- A sprinkle of organic cinnamon for flavor, and I read it helps regulate blood sugar.
Finishing Touches
Before I get dressed and officially start my day, I brush this Jane Iredale Powder Sunscreen on my chest for extra sun protection. Sometimes, my neck and chest feel sticky from my liquid sunscreen, so this helps dry it down a bit. It’s quick, easy, and gives me peace of mind knowing I’m covered.
What does your winter morning routine look like? I’d love to hear in the comments!
A smart thermostat is the next gadget you need! It turns the heat on for us. Congrats on your weight loss. I lost some after two oral surgeries for an implant process but over the holiday half came back. I too am having issues with my teeth. Lots of plaque and staining although not much has changed so I am trying some new tips from my dental Hygenist. Thanks for all your ideas. I almost ordered the protein powder but some reviews said gritty so I decided to try your recipe with my current protein powder first.
Our new thermostat does have a timer but I haven’t bothered to figure out how to use it. I hate direction manuals 🤣
Thanks for sharing your morning routine, lots of good ideas there! I’ve struggled all my life with lethargy and brain fog in the morning so it’s wonderful to stay in bed for a while after waking and wait to eat until mid morning. I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for about 2 years, mostly to curb late evening snacking! I’m much more energetic in the evening, so do my weight training then, although I do try to walk everyday. I’m going to look up the wabi sabi book and try incorporating a but of uplifting reading to start my day instead of listening to the news.
Let me know how you like the change. I find the news brings my energy down. I never miss it and it’s always there if I’m inclined.
Morning routine : make bed, brush teeth, wash face, moisturize, sun screen get dressed.Then coffee while watching the news, do daily word games on the NYTimes app. Journal, then either needlepoint or go do errands.
The exact same penny tile you have in your shower nook, we put down in our guest bath floor- just love it! Question- what is the 3rd appliance in the first picture? I thought it was going to be the retainer cleaner you linked, but they aren’t the same. I really need something that works for that purpose and have never found anything- and I take diligent care of my retainers.
Sorry, I put the wrong link in. My retainer cleaner is here
Oh, wow! That is a long morning routine. But, we do whatever suits our personality and schedule. Mine is much quicker and simple. I get up and have my coffee while looking at my iPad – calendar, weather, email. Once my coffee is gone, I wash my face, clean my teeth, get dressed, make my bed and am out the door for my morning walk.
I need to get in the habit of applying cream after my shower. My skin has gotten crepey. Ugh! I haven’t tried Necessarie products. I’ll have to try the retinol cream.
As a nurse, my day started in the dark and ended in the dark no matter which shift, days or nights so I promised myself that in retirement I would sleep in until 9:30 or even 10:00am. Get up leisurely, feed the dog and cuddle her and the cat, who my husband feeds when he gets up. Our 18 1/2 year old Himalayan cat rules the house. I get my supplements out and put in little baggies for the day. I make my tea, Choice Darjeeling with Stevia and Almond milk. Make my Bagel with blueberry Philadelphia cream cheese and sit and read on my iPad on its little stand. I read your blog first then Pamela Lutrell. I scan The Washington Post. I love looking out my windows at the mountains as I am fortunate enough to live in rural Colorado. It is sunny and cold today. I still have snow in the north side backyard. I have a medical appointment today so shower next and walk the dog when we get home. I have a much different budget than you do but what I use in products are Dove body wash for sensitive skin and EvolVh Instant cleanser on my oily very short pixie hair. I use Alba Botanica unscented lotion all over except on my face I use Advanced Clinicals Hyaluronic Acid lotion on my face. Thank you for introducing this to me as I can afford it and it is doing a good job for me at 80. No one guesses my age. Congratulations on losing ten pounds Jennifer! That is hard at a mature age. I’m happy with 137-139 lbs. I can still button my pants comfortably and wear my clothes. I wish my waist had not thickened, but it seems to be universal at my age. Enjoy your mornings everyone, I need to get in the shower!
You’re doing great. I weight 139 after loosing the 10 pounds!
Can you say more about the mouth guard cleaner. Is it battery operated or plug in? Is just a holder with tablets? Thanks!
It’s electric. I add tablets and water
I would love to know more about your experience with Seed, since I just ordered it for myself.
I find it very helpful and have taken it for years. I’ve taken way too many antibiotics in my time and believe a healthy gut is very important
How much of the Necessaire body retinol do you use – a thin layer, like facial serum, or more? Do you follow it with moisturizer?
For years, I’ve used L’Occitane skin oil (not shower oil) after showering, especially in winter. (Spray on palms, then distribute, to avoid overspray on the bathroom floor.) I find it very effective in preventing dry, itchy skin. I could expand my arsenal, though. 🙂 I received a sample of the Necessaire body serum and need to give that a try.
I use 1 pump for each leg, one pump for my torso and 2 for my arms because they’re the most papery looking. I make sure to do my underarms because the skin is very wrinkly there where my arm meets my torso.
Good morning, Jennifer. I just downloaded Wabi Sabi to my Kindle app and am looking forward to reading it. My morning routine used to start with turning on the TV to watch the news but I stopped doing that when I realized how depressed and anxious I was feeling even before I went out the door. Now I listen to music, drink a cup of tea, and pet my cats during that time. It is a much better and less stressful way of starting the day.
Yes!! I stay off social media for as long as I can each morning. The news is so stressful.
Jennifer, what a lesson in self-care! I love this post. Even though I’m retired and have been for a number of years now, I have never taken this much time for myself. I love self-care products and I’ve bought many that you’ve recommended, but this post hits home. When I have the time (haha) I’m going to go back over everything here and see what I can incorporate. You are an inspiration! Thanks…
Life can be challenging and practicing self-care better equips me to deal stress and the surprises that are popping up with age. I find our society overwhelming much of the time and social media burns me out.
I must comment on the body retinol lotion. It’s smelly and my bottle is difficult to get the lotion out. It has a chemical smell.
It has no added fragrance to hide the retinol scent but I find the odor dissipates quickly and I’m using it for the result not the scent. All products have scents but most are masked with essential oils or fragrance.
I leave the bottle on the counter and push down firmly with my hand. I agree it’s not easy to use one handed, but wow, it’s really made a huge improvement in my crepey skin.
That really is quite the morning routine. I wear a mouth guard too. I usually just brush it with my toothbrush and then every so often take it to my dentist for a cleaning. First thing I do is brush my teeth and put Bio oil and sunscreen on my face. I come downstairs and make my green tea. We do our stretches and head out for a walk every day. Some days we do strength training too. Then we have breakfast and start the day!
You claim to be a “slow starter,” but this is a long list!
Morning is my favorite time of day. Years ago, I started a practice of making my bed first thing. It seems silly, but it’s a sense of accomplishment. Then I sit quietly and catch up on email and A Well Styled Life. My husband and I exercise for 45 minutes every morning. January is too cold to be outside, so we use the lovely gym and pool in our building.
As far as shower products, I love the Necessaire bar soaps. They are full of good stuff, but what I reallly love is that they lather like the old Ivory soap of my youth. I shampoo 3 mornings a week with Everist shampoo and conditioner. Both are expensive, but only require a little. My dry, grey hair lives this stuff. I use Osea body oil, foot cream, hand cream and then I’m off.
I can’t get into an unmade bed so I always make mine too. I’m pretty persnickety about it actually 😉
I’ve heard wonderful things about the Osea products. I must try that oil
I like peanut butter in my smoothie, too. Have you tried PB2? It’s powdered peanut butter with the same great flavor, but much lower in calories because the oil is removed. I love it!!
That sounds awesome. I’ll look for it. Thanks! I’m a real peanut butter hound. I love it.
I love PB2 (my grocery store carries it) or the equivalent. I especially like it mixed with plain yogurt, sweetened with a tiny amount of honey. I microwave a very small amount of dark chocolate and drizzle it on. You can refrigerate it to harden the chocolate to make it crunchy or just eat it creamy. A satisfying and pretty healthy treat.
I am hopeless in winter. My morning routine is far less disciplined than yours Jennifer. I stagger out of bed around 8.30 to 9 am, plonk myself under the heater in the kitchen where I have a banana and a large cup of strong caffeinated coffee (with sugar and milk), whilst I scroll through the news. Once I feel the surge of coffee, I become human. A quick change into my walking kit and I then head off on my 10 km walk. If it is raining heavily outside (rarely), I love to stay in bed longer and listen to the rain pounding on the roof.
I love to be cozy inside and listen to the rain too.
Have a great day!
You have a joyous one too Audrey!