Morning Rituals for Darker Days

Arising on dark, cold, rainy mornings for weeks on end gets old really quickly. Here we are at the beginning of this long stretch of dreary mornings, which is the perfect opportunity to create new routines that will make the dark part of the year more bearable.

Start with preparing as much as you can for the day each evening, so that it gives you more time in the morning to wake up with intention. Then you’ll have space to embrace slow, meaningful rituals that you enjoy each morning. Make your morning coffee or tea more grounding by choosing what fills your cup. If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, consider ways to pair that with connecting with the outdoors. You could sit by a window gazing out at the rising sunlight, light a candle with a seasonal scent while enjoying your drink by a nature altar, or sit under a light therapy lamp while holding your hot drink in your hands and breathing mindfully. If you have a handful of houseplants, you could gather these together into a cozy nook, and tend to the plants each morning, checking on the soil, trimming back dead leaves, and misting leaves as needed.

Another way to tackle mornings is by including some movement in your routine. Though we often feel low energy in the winter months, sometimes that means we need more exercise instead of more relaxation. Starting the day with movement gets your blood moving, helps wake you up, and can actually boost your energy for the day. This movement can even be simple or short, like a five minute walk outside, a few stretches as coffee brews, or a few reps in your home gym can make all the difference. And even more, noticing how you feel on days you do this, versus days you don’t as well as noticing how you feel before and after movement can motivate you to come back to it. Of course, it’s always a great idea to add a glass of water and breakfast to the routine to set you off right, especially after movement.

In contrast, if you are set against movement in the morning, or find that you have time for a few rituals, you might consider a morning meditation or journaling. Starting with this mental check-in can be a great way to set yourself up well for the day. It allows you to connect with your energy, both physically and mentally and lets you tune into your capacity for the day before it begins. You can reflect on if your mind feels busy, or calm, and what you’ll need most for the day – such as patience, nourishment, relaxation, movement, joy, etc. Then, you’re more prepared for the day ahead.

Hopefully some of these tips will bring you comfort as you experience dark mornings for the next few months. Even five minutes with one or each type of self-care can make all the difference, grounding you in happiness to start your day.