Some mornings don’t need a full reinvention.
They just need a cue.
A small, repeatable sequence that tells your body: we’re here, we’re safe, we’re starting. In Alaska, mornings can feel like a reset button—fog lifting off the water, pale light stretching across the mountains, quiet before the day gets loud.
This is my 10-minute morning tea ritual—simple enough to do on a workday, grounding enough to change the tone of everything after it.
Why a ritual (not just a cup of tea)?
Because the ritual is what makes the tea work with you.
When you brew the same way—kettle on, steep, first sip—you create a rhythm your nervous system recognizes. It becomes less about “getting through the morning” and more about choosing how you want to feel inside it.
(And yes: you can still drink coffee. This is just a gentler on-ramp.)
The 10-Minute Morning Reset (Step-by-Step)
Goal: Wake up your body softly, clear your mind, and start with calm focus.
1) Light first (2-3 minutes)
Before screens, find natural light if you can—window, porch, a single step outside.
If it’s dark (hello, Alaska winter), turn on one warm lamp. Let your eyes adjust.
2) Kettle on, jaw unclench (5 minutes)
While the water heats, do this:
Drop your shoulders
Unclench your jaw
Inhale for 4, exhale for 6 (repeat 5 times)
You’re not trying to become a new person. You’re just letting your body know it can come online without panic.
3) select tea + steep (3–5 minutes)
Pick your tea based on the kind of morning you need:
Aurora Chai (Black Tea): warming, mildly spicy, and “cozy-energized.” Alaska Tea Co.
Mint Glacier Medley (Sencha Green): crisp, refreshing, and clean energy—like cold air waking you up. Alaska Tea Co.
Both contain caffeine Alaska Tea Co.+1—so they’re ideal for morning or early afternoon.
4) First sip, slow breath (1 minute)
Wrap your hands around the mug. Inhale the steam.
Before you do anything else:
Take three slow breaths.
Let this be the moment you “arrive.”
5) One intention (2–3 minutes)
Pick one:
Write one sentence: “Today I want to feel ____.”
Choose one priority: “If I do only one thing, it’s ____.”
Or simply look outside and let your brain be quiet for 60 seconds.
That’s it. Just a few minutes in your morning.
Choose your tea: Aurora Chai vs Mint Glacier Medley
Aurora Chai: when you want warm energy
This is my “dark morning” tea—especially when it’s gray outside and you want comfort and momentum.
We describe Aurora Chai as a mildly spicy Pu’er + Assam blend with warming spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and more).
How it feels: grounded, cozy, capable.
Mint Glacier Medley: when you want clean clarity
Mint Glacier Medley is bright and refreshing - sencha green tea with peppermint and it’s the one I reach for when I want my mind to feel crisp.
How it feels: awake, clear, lightly lifted.
Little photographer note: morning light is a mindset
Even if you never touch a camera, morning light teaches something important:
You don’t need everything to be perfect to start.
You just need enough light to see what’s next.
Tea helps me meet the day that way—one small step at a time.
A simple “morning ritual kit” (optional, but lovely)
Your tea tin (Aurora Chai or Mint Glacier Medley)
A favorite mug
A notebook (even if you only write one line)
Want a slower ending to your day, too?
If you haven’t read it yet, pair this morning reset with my Evening Tea Ritual for Better Sleep (Alaska Edition) - it’s the bookend that makes the whole day feel more steady.
And if you’re new here, the Alaska Lifestyle page is the best starting point - travel, tea, slow living, and wellness in one place.
FAQs
What is a morning tea ritual?
A short, repeatable routine—light, brew, breath, first sip—that helps you start the day with calmer energy and clearer focus.
Which tea is best for mornings?
If you want cozy warmth, choose Aurora Chai. If you want crisp clarity, choose Mint Glacier Medley. Both contain caffeine.
How do I brew these teas?
Both teas are brewed with full-boil water and a 1–3 minute steep per Alaska Tea Co’s directions.
Can I do this ritual if I’m busy?
Yes. That’s the point. Even 3 minutes (kettle + steep + first sip) can shift the tone of your morning.
Gentle note
This post is for ritual and rhythm - not medical advice. If you have specific health concerns around caffeine, anxiety, or sleep, check with your healthcare professional.
Aurora Chai: warm, cozy energy
If your mornings feel gray or heavy, Aurora Chai is the “light a candle and begin” kind of tea—mild spice, smooth black tea, and a little Alaska magic.
Mint Glacier Medley: crisp focus, clean lift
For clear-headed mornings, Mint Glacier Medley is bright sencha green tea with peppermint—refreshing and steady, like glacier air.