Sleepy Head

Fighting the urge to stay in bed.

As each day passes, I see less and less of the beautiful sun. Right before my eyes, I can see the Summer fading into Fall. I will be the first to admit that I love a comfy sweater and a pair of leggings. I can be seen wearing this classic ensemble year round. Unfortunately for me, the absence of warmer weather means more than just the need to wear more layers, it marks the beginning of an internal struggle.

Every year I find myself struggling to fight the urge to stay in bed. During the warmer months, the sun is out, the weather is warm and there is something in the air that says, "get out of the house." When the cooler months roll around, I feel a heavy urge to stay inside, snuggle under the covers, watch movies and drink coffee.

Now that the sky is filled with a hint of gray and and the night breeze contains a cool crisp, I have to push extra hard to motivate myself. Here are a few tips on how I do just that!

1. Music

To get my endorphins pumping, I turn on music while I get dressed in mornings. When the sky is dark and the last thing you want to do is be awake, hearing my favorite song gets me up and running.

2. Coffee

How can a person stay in bed while the aroma of a full bodied dark roast is brewing in the next room? I drink a nice cup of coffee every morning. I love coffee. The smell of it gets me excited. It makes me happy.

3. Exercise

I go to the gym first thing in the morning. I may hit the snooze button several times, but my day goes a lot better when I have a workout first. Working out released endorphins that make you happy and give you energy.

4. Light

I make sure to have plenty of light to illuminate my work space. The brighter and airier my work space the more productive I am. A well lit room can lift my spirits.

What tips do you have to fight the effects of winter gloom?