How to Wake Up Refreshed – Even in the Dead of Winter

This time of year, the days are short and the nights are long. You might find yourself having a little more trouble waking up in the mornings. But hiding under the warm covers when it’s chilly outside isn't always a sign of being lazy or deterring the start of your day.

There's something else at play.

Every day, as it gets darker a little earlier each day, your body produces slightly more melatonin, a hormone that helps you sleep. During the summertime, when the sun rises earlier, you're exposed to the natural light earlier in the day making it easier to roll out of bed. But in the wintertime, when the sun rises later, you may find it harder to spring out of bed in the morning.

But alas, the day is awaiting your presence so you’ll have to get up at some point! Here are three of our best tips to help you do just that.

1. Start With a Glass of Water

This sounds deceivingly simple, but it really works! Sipping on some water as soon as you wake up helps to jumpstart your body. And once your body gets going, crawling back into bed seems a little less tempting.

Plan ahead the night before and set out a glass of water on your nightstand. If plain old water doesn't excite you, try squeezing in some fresh lemon juice or a mint leaf. This simple trick also helps to wake up your digestive system and get it moving for the day.

2. Have Something to Look Forward to in the Morning

Have you ever planned a vacation and couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning to get going? The same thing applies in our everyday lives. It's much easier to hop out of bed when there's something exciting you’re looking forward to.

Now, we know you can't have a Disneyland vacation planned out every morning, but there are plenty of other ways to make each morning enjoyable, including:

  • looking forward to your favorite breakfast
  • enjoying that warm cup of coffee or tea
  • a nice hot shower with that special, luxurious soap
  • your morning exercise routine or yoga stretches

Whatever it is, create a morning routine that includes something you can look forward to each morning.

3. Enjoy Your Favorite Essential Oils

Love the smell of essential oils? If you don’t have a diffuser, you’re definitely missing out! Waking up to the smell of energy-inducing, mind-boosting essential oils is an amazing way to start the day.

Don’t be afraid to get a little extra indulgent with this morning routine:

  1. Place an essential oils diffuser by your bed, and connect it to a timer.
  2. Set the timer to start about five minutes before your wake-up time.
  3. Prefill your diffuser with water and your favorite scents. We recommend invigorating oils, like peppermint, citrus, or eucalyptus.

There you go! You're all set for a morning aromatherapy wake-up call.

Wake Up Feeling Refreshed and Ready to Go

Even though winter brings with it some cold, dark days, you don’t have to resist getting out of bed. It’s perfectly okay to enjoy the cozy covers while you’re in them, but when it’s time to get up, you’ll have something to look forward to! Try out one of these three tips so you can wake up feeling refreshed all season long.

, ,

Standard Process Image
MEDI HERB logo

Patient Testimonials

Dr Don Sharnowski is a doctor who is above and beyond all other doctors! Probably his most outstanding quality is that he LISTENS to what his patients say. He is willing to explain things to his patients in terms they can understand. Dr Don treats his patients with wisdom, understanding, gentleness, care, encouragement and he is willing to "go the extra mile" to give his patients the proper treatment they need. He does not treat patients like they were on an assembly line or like he is rushing them out the door. Dr Don has fixed many of the problems I had at my first visit, one of which I had endured for 3 years. Dr Don was able to fix that problem in 2 weeks when others had not. Dr Don has also helped me loose 40 lbs so far. My total recovery is still an ongoing process, but should be a cinch with Dr Don's expert help! Thank you, Dr Don! You are an awesome answer to prayers!

Karen G.

Super Awesome Doctor in Overland Park, Kansas!! He really knows his stuff love his Holistic approach. Wish I lived closer so I could see him on the regular, at least we can chat on the regular! Very informative in all aspects of health! Five years ago this man took our health and turned it around 360 degrees. My son got ear infections very often. Both my boys have respiratory issues. My husband asthma and overweight. Myself aches and pains, specifically on my left side and joints. Well needless to say no more ear infections respiratory not nearly as often my husband is 80lbs less and never uses his inhaler . My sons ear infections...What ear infections...They are no longer! Thanks Dr. Don for all you do and have done!!

Lots of Love from The Stevens

Dr Don Sharnowski is truly an amazing Doctor. He listens to his patients and treats in a very complete way. He is very knowledgeable because he never stops learning. He is a great communicator and will help you learn better ways to be healthy if you will actually do what he teaches.

Cassie N.

Don (Dr Sharnowski) is truly one of a kind. He is warm, inviting and incredibly generous with his time, but also really knowledgeable about the body and everything within. You won't find crystal balls here. You'll find a super nice guy in sneakers who also sells farm fresh eggs at the counter. I went in expecting to get adjusted (and was scared, because I'd never seen a chiro before). Instead, what I experienced was someone who actually sat down and listened to my history, connected the dots between several ailments (instead of jumping to prescribe one drug apiece to treat each one), and explained things that no one had ever taken the time to do. I was there about my back specifically, but we talked about my whole health. Instead of just prescribing an anti inflammatory (which is what my other doc did), he explained why we get inflammation in our bodies, and how to help reduce it with what we eat. I've also been on thyroid medication for over 10 years, and he actually explained what the thyroid is, and what the drug I take is, and what it does. But not in a defensive or overly crunchy way. He just openly explained in a way that I could understand it. I highly recommend Don to anyone with a body who wants to feel better. His approach is approachably holistic. Just common sense, whole body-centered treatment.

Megh K.

Scroll to Top