In winter, the alarm often goes off in the dark, the bedroom is chilly and the duvet feels twice as heavy. Yet a few small changes are enough to transform those first minutes. Here's a winter morning routine in 8 simple habits, to help you get up more easily, stay warm and start the day on the right foot.
The essentials
- Prepare the night before: outfit, breakfast, slippers by the bed.
- Avoid the cold shock: a pre-warmed room, a cardigan within reach, never bare feet on the tiles.
- Let the light in as soon as you wake up, even if it's artificial.
- A hot drink and a warm breakfast help you get going.
- Keep your feet warm all morning, especially when working from home.
Why is it so hard to get up in winter?
There are two main reasons. First, darkness: when it's still night at 7am, your body struggles to accept that it's time to get up. Second, the temperature contrast: going from a warm bed to a bedroom at 17°C is hardly inviting. A good routine works on both, light and warmth, to make getting up almost pleasant.
8 habits to start the day warm
1. Prepare your morning the night before
The best mornings start the evening before. Lay your outfit on a chair, set out your breakfast bowl and mug, and put your slippers by the bed. Fewer decisions when you wake up means less effort. And going to bed a little earlier does half the work: our tips for sleeping well in winter will help.
2. Schedule warmth, not overheating
There's no need to heat all night. If your heating allows it, set it to come on half an hour before you wake up in the bathroom and living area. You get a comfortable room at the right moment without wasting energy. More ideas for saving on heating and staying warm go well with this habit.
3. Never put bare feet on a cold floor
It's the little shock that spoils everything. Slip on your slippers before you even stand up. Our Merano cosy sherpa slippers, with their plush lining and wide faux-fur cuff, are ideal to keep by the bed: you can slide your feet in with your eyes still closed. They come in sizes 36 to 45.
4. Let the light in
Open the curtains as soon as you can, even if the day is only just breaking. If it's still dark, switch on a soft lamp rather than the main light: the transition is gentler on your eyes. Many people feel more awake when the light comes in gradually.
5. A glass of water, then a hot drink
A big glass of water when you wake up, then a tea, coffee or herbal infusion held in both hands. This moment of warmth is often the most looked-forward-to part of the morning: enjoy it sitting down, without a screen.
6. Stretch for five minutes
A few gentle stretches, arms above your head, shoulder rolls, slow bends: enough to loosen up without breaking a sweat. Do them on a rug, in socks or slippers, rather than barefoot on the tiles.
7. A warm breakfast
Cinnamon porridge, eggs, toast: in winter, a warm breakfast feels good and keeps you going all morning. Prepare the oats the night before so you only need to heat them up.
8. Dress in layers and keep your feet warm
Layer rather than pile on: a T-shirt, a fine knit, a cardigan you can take off if the house warms up. And don't neglect your feet: they're often what makes you feel cold. If you work from home, a closed clog like our Sienna vegan suede clogs holds your foot with its adjustable metal buckle, and the padded footbed hugs your arch, so you stay comfortably shod until lunchtime. More ideas in our article on what to wear on your feet when working from home.
A 15-minute express morning routine
No time for everything? Keep the essentials:
- Minute 0: slippers on, cardigan over your shoulders.
- Minutes 1 to 3: curtains open or a soft lamp on, glass of water.
- Minutes 3 to 6: a few stretches while the kettle boils.
- Minutes 6 to 15: hot drink and the breakfast you prepared the night before, sitting down.
The secret is consistency: after a few days, these habits become automatic and getting up feels far less harsh.
What about chilly feet?
If your feet stay cold despite everything, combine a thick sock with a lined slipper, and remember to move around regularly. All our styles are made from vegan suede, a microfibre with a peach-skin feel and no animal materials. They are true to size: if you're between two sizes, take the larger one. See also our tips for cold feet at home.
Frequently asked questions
How can you wake up more easily in winter?
Go to bed at a regular time, prepare your morning the night before, let the light in as soon as you wake and avoid the cold shock with a warm room and slippers by the bed.
How do you stay warm in the morning without overheating the house?
Set the heating to come on shortly before you wake up, dress in layers and keep your feet warm with lined slippers.
What should you wear on your feet at home in the morning?
A lined slipper for the first few minutes, then a closed clog that holds your foot well if you're heading into a day of working from home.
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