How to Fight Winter Morning's Chill

(NewsUSA) - As winter's chill sets in, getting out of bed may turn into a daily challenge. But there are ways to put some pep in your morning step.

Morning can be an enjoyable time to collect yourself and prepare for the day. The following tips will help jumpstart your day.

* Open up your shades as the sun rises. If getting up early is difficult, getting up before the sun rises is downright painful -- but winter doesn't leave you much choice. As soon as the sun pops above the horizon, throw open your curtains and expose yourself to sunlight. Just like darkness encourages the body to relax and fall asleep, light is a natural cue for the brain to wake up. Sunlight stops your brain from producing melatonin, the sleep hormone.

* Get your heart pumping with some morning exercise. Exercise releases endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This means you'll start the day full of energy and without anxiety. Plus, you'll be burning fat and boosting your immune system by producing more proteins.

* Run your clothes through the dryer for five minutes before getting dressed. Put your outfit in the dryer right before you jump in the shower so it'll be warm and fresh as soon as you need it. This will ward off the winter chill while also helping you look forward to getting dressed. To give yourself a few extra minutes, pick out an outfit the night before. Any decision can seem daunting before 7 a.m.

* Recharge with a hot bowl of oatmeal. Oatmeal can be a delicious and nutritious way to fuel up post-workout. Better Oats (www.betteroats.com) uses only whole-grain oats, real fruit and real chocolate, and it also has flax seeds full of omega-3, fiber and vitamins A and E. Oatmeal is a great source of nutrition for those cold winter mornings.

For more information, visit www.betteroats.com.

"Article By: NewsUSA"