Healthy habits for colder mornings -

When mornings grow colder and darker,  the temptation to repeatedly hit the snooze button while pulling the bedcovers over your head can be strong. Even morning people might find they have a little less spring in their step when wintry weather comes around, but a few simple steps can make sure getting out of bed doesn't feel like a battle. What's more, tweaking your morning routine to suit the colder weather can make sure you're energized and ready to face the day ahead.

Ready to rise and shine? Click through this gallery to discover some healthy habits for those colder mornings.

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Don't hit snooze -

As tempting as it may be, try to resist continuously hitting snooze on your alarm. It's only putting off the inevitable, and is likely to have you running late and stressed before you're even out of bed.

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Make sure the bedroom is warm enough -

Nobody wants to wrench themselves out of a toasty-warm bed and into a freezing cold bedroom. Make sure you have something warm to slip your feet into, and that the room is as cozy as it can be. Use draught excluders and anything else necessary to keep the chill out of your room.

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Let some light in -

Even if it's a weak, wintry light, letting a few rays into your room as soon as you get out of bed can be instantly refreshing. Even if it's still dark outside, open curtains and blinds so that the sun will come in as it rises.

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Energize the air around you -

An easy way to prevent winter dry skin is to add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of water and place these on shelves close to radiators and heaters—it will help keep the air hydrated. Using energizing scents such as bergamot or lemon can be a real mood lifter.

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Avoid morning scrolling -

Don't use your morning to find out what somebody you went to school with had for breakfast. Simply cutting out all that automatic scrolling can save you valuable time.

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Find a few minutes for meditation -

Few people have time for a lengthy meditation first thing, but as little as five minutes as soon as you wake up can help set you up for the whole day. Using a meditation app while sitting up in bed will work perfectly fine.

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Stretch -

You might not have the time or inclination for a full-on workout in the morning, but stretching out the limbs with a few gentle stretches can shake off lingering sleepiness.

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Have a quick shower -

Allow time to savor a few minutes in a hot shower—it can be a real soul soother. Energizing body washes and shampoos can help get you ready and raring to go.

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Don't skip your skin care -

Cold weather and heating can wreak havoc on your skin, so don't be tempted to sacrifice your skin care routine in order to get a few more moments in bed. Moisturizing is more important than ever, and remember that sunscreen is still necessary in the winter if you want to protect your skin.

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Sip lemon tea -

Before you reach for the caffeine, sip a mug of hot water with lemon. As well as providing a vitamin C boost, it will give the body a daily 'mini detox' as long as you don't add sugar or sweeteners.

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Get some musical motivation -

Tune your radio to your favorite music station and have it switched on as you go about your morning. It's surprising how much music can do to lift your mood!

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Enjoy your coffee -

If you usually have coffee first thing, cold and dark mornings are probably not the best time to cut it out. Don't be tempted to drink more than usual, but buy your favorite brand and make sure you give yourself time to savor your morning caffeine fix.

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Get a good breakfast - You'll need to fuel your body to face the weather and fight off winter colds, so don't skip breakfast. Pre-preparing healthy options like overnight oats, and adding fresh fruit, is a good way to start the day.

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Don't forget your vitamins -

Making sure you get plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains during the colder weather should provide most of the vitamins and minerals you need, but an extra boost of vitamin D, which the body gets naturally from sunshine, may well be in order. Vitamin C can boost the immune system, and B vitamins can help keep you feeling energized.

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Try to catch the news -

Instead of scrolling through social media, try to find a few minutes to get up to speed with what's happening in the world by switching on the news and catching at least the headlines and weather.

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Check the forecast -

If there's no time to catch the TV forecast, be sure to have a reliable weather app on your phone, and check it well before you head out the door.

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Be prepared for the weather -

If you've got kids to get ready, make sure you know where all the cold weather gear is. A last-minute hunt for boots and coats isn't going to get the morning off to a good start.

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Have winter accessories on hand -

Make sure you've got your own cold weather kit ready, too. Have gloves, a hat, and a weather-proof coat on hand so that you're ready in the event of a sudden cold snap.

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Lay out your clothes the night before -

Whether you're planning a family stroll or a day in the office, have your clothes ready the night before. It makes sense to check the forecast for the following day, so you'll know how many layers you'll need.

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And have the kids' clothes ready -

The same goes for smaller members of the family. Pick out weather-appropriate outfits the night before, to avoid a last-minute fuss over what to wear.

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Be ready for rain -

Because colder mornings often mean blustery downpours rather than crisp, clear skies, make sure you know where the umbrellas are and have them ready to go by the door.

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Get your lunch game on point -

A healthy packed lunch isn't just for kids. Making yourself a healthy meal to take to work is a good way to ensure you feel bright throughout the day, and is best done the night before to save precious time in the morning.

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Leave the house ahead of time -

Set yourself up for a stress-free day by leaving the house a few minutes ahead of schedule. This should allow you to keep calm in the case of weather-related annoyances such as trains running late or slow-moving traffic due to icy roads.

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Drink herbal infusions throughout the morning -

Once you've had your early morning caffeine boost, try to stick to hydrating herbal teas throughout the day. Ginger, lemon, and turmeric teas will all give the immune system a boost.

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Keep lip balm on hand -

Cold weather almost inevitably brings the dreaded chapped lips. Make sure you always have a tried-and-trusted lip balm on hand to keep lips hydrated and looking good.

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Have a plan for homeworking -

Working from home? Try to avoid the urge to set up your 'home office' on your sofa surrounded by snuggly cushions and attention-seeking pets.

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Home office goals -

Sitting at a desk to work is likely to make you more productive, so make sure your home office area is warm, well lit, and conducive to a good morning's work.

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Get outside -

If you do work from home, taking a few minutes' walk or jog before you get started can help focus the mind and get you ready for the day. Reward yourself with a hot drink when you get back!

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Get an early night -

Healthy mornings start the night before. Try to wake up rested by getting to bed at a reasonable hour, and avoiding phones and laptops for an hour or so before bed to give your mind a chance to switch off.

Sources: (Medium) (This is Adult Life)

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