Let’s get real about this. The weather’s turned, the days are drawing in and we’re all finding it that bit more difficult to drag ourselves out of bed in the morning. It’s tempting to press snooze for the nth time and pull the duvet higher, luxuriating in our warm, cosy cocoon of a bed. The problem is that by the time we finally emerge, the morning ends up rushed, we feel stressed and guess what? We spend the rest of the day trying to catch up. 

As the clocks change, it’s time to embrace autumn and all the wonderful things it brings. Think windy welly walks, vivid reds, yellows and oranges of dancing leaves, cosy toasty roaring fires, pumpkin spiced lattes and the sharpness of icy frosts that sting our cheeks and make us feel alive.

Creating good habits so that we can fully enjoy autumn is so important. Not only can habits make us more productive, but they’re vital for our emotional well-being too. With that said, here are our tips for autumn morning rituals to get you up and out.

Prepare the Night Before

Prep. Prep. Prep. Yes. We’ve said it before. If you want to be organised in the morning, you’ve got to put the work in the night before. That means clothes chosen, coats, shoes (including kid’s wellies) and umbrellas at the ready, lunch sorted, work calendar checked and anything relevant printed off. Don’t forget to have a warm dressing gown and slippers by your bed too.

We also need lots of energy as the weather gets colder, so if you want to be ultra-organised, stick your bread machine on the night before for fresh warm bread at breakfast. Not your thing? You could try using a slow cooker to make deliciously creamy slow-cooked porridge overnight instead. 

Wake Up with a Sunrise Alarm Clock

It’s no surprise that as daylight dwindles, more and more of us experience the symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Feeling lethargic, unmotivated and depressed is not fun for anyone. 

Excuse the pun, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, light therapy has been used to treat SAD for quite some-time now. It’s a simple concept which can be accessed at home via a sunrise alarm clock. Essentially the clock slowly emits light for around 30 minutes prior to your wake-up time. A regular alarm clock wakes you up suddenly, causing your body to release cortisol, leading to bad mood, stress and inertia. In stark contrast, a sunrise clock brings you around slowly. The benefit is that you wake up feeling refreshed, your body having had time to adjust to wakefulness.

Make the Bed Right Away

Seriously! Make it as soon as you get up. Set the duvet straight, throw the cushions on and lay blankets back in place. It’s like an immediate declutter and tidy-up thrown into one. It clears your mind, sets the right tone for the day and keeps you organised. Don’t just stop at the bed, pick up dirty clothes and clear counter tops then feel smug at how tidy you are whilst you make breakfast.

Breathe

Don’t rush to turn on social media. It creates anxiety in so many ways, from fear that we’re missing out on something to feeling depressed about the constant stream of disastrous news. There’s a time and place for it but when you’re waking up groggy headed and adjusting to the new day, it’s not the right time!

Instead, take a breather before you head to the office. It could be walking the dog, a wander around your garden, a run or some other form of exercise. Remember that getting outside into daylight positively affects serotonin levels and energy levels.

If that’s not your thing, you could try listening to a podcast, some mindfulness or meditation or simply enjoy a slow relaxing breakfast. A comforting autumn morning playlist is another fantastic way to capture the essence of the season and boost your mood.

It really is important to allow time to wake up and reset your mind and body for the day ahead. Taking the morning more slowly and enjoying it can make all the difference to your mood. 

Aromatherapy for Autumn

It’s difficult to bounce out of bed when it still feels as if it’s the middle of the night. When you consider that aromatherapy has been used for centuries to alter and enhance our mood, it becomes obvious that we should be using it to our advantage. Our Be Happy Balm is perfect for dark autumnal mornings. As soon as you wake up, apply it to your wrists, neck and temples, then stop and breathe deeply three times, inhaling its scent as you do so. This uplifting citrus and mint blend delivers an instant burst of positivity, helping you to reset your mood for the rest of the day.