Motivating yourself on a cold morning isn’t always easy because you may want to hibernate underneath your bed’s warm blankets for the entire day. There are several reasons why your mind and body react negatively to cold temperatures. In the past, it wasn’t safe for someone to venture out on a cold winter day because humans didn’t have climate-control equipment. Your body and mind will slow down naturally in cold weather in order to conserve your energy. However, there are ways to make it easier to get out of bed when it is cold.
Motivation Tip 1: Have a Specialized Light Box
If your circadian rhythms are disrupted by the lack of sunlight along with the changes in daylight saving time, then buy a specialized light box to use at home or in your office. By turning on a bright light box early in the morning, you can regulate your brain’s circadian rhythms to create additional physical energy in the morning.
Motivation Tip 2: Schedule a Fun Activity Early In the Day
When getting out of bed on cold winter mornings seems impossible, make sure to schedule a fun activity earlier in the day. If you know that there is something enjoyable to do, then it is easier to wake earlier in the morning. You might want to enroll in a class at a local community college, or you can get involved in a group that enjoys the same type of hobbies that you enjoy.
Motivation Tip 3: Have a Timed Furnace Thermostat
If your bedroom is warmer in the morning, then it is easier to get moving earlier. Install a timed thermostat on your furnace so that the climate-control equipment turns on before your alarm clock wakes you up. Instead of waking up to a cold bedroom, your home is going to be cozy, encouraging you to get outside first thing in the morning.
Motivation Tip 4: Consume a Nutritious Diet
Continue to eat a nutritious diet in the winter to have more energy. Motivating yourself with a healthy diet will also help to prevent infections from colds and influenza that can deplete your energy levels. Make sure to consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible in the winter while avoiding poor-quality foods such as pastries.
Motivation Tip 5: Have an Exercise Routine
It is important to have an exercise routine in the winter when it is cold. If you can’t go outside to ride a bicycle, then enjoy a walk at a shopping mall. Alternatively, you can buy a gym membership. In addition, have exercise equipment at home so that you can engage in physical activity when the weather is inclement.
Motivation Tip 6: Maintain a Regular Schedule
Motivating yourself on cold days in the winter is easier when you maintain a regular schedule each day. Go to bed at the same time so that you feel rested enough in the morning to wake up despite the cold temperatures. Also, make sure to consume your meals and snacks at the same time to maintain your energy levels.