Winter in Alaska has a way of telling the truth.
The light changes. The pace changes. Your body asks for different things. And if you’ve ever found yourself feeling a little foggy, restless, unmotivated, or tender for no obvious reason—welcome. That’s not weakness. That’s seasonality.
This post is a simple winter routine I come back to when I want three things:
Calm (less noise in my nervous system)
Light (more brightness—real or created)
Momentum (a small, steady sense of forward)
Not a full morning routine. Not a “new year, new life” plan. Just a reset you can repeat—especially on the days when winter feels heavy.
The Winter Reset in one sentence:
“Light first. Warmth second. Move a little. Then choose one next step.”
That’s it. Four cues. Ten to twenty minutes total. And it works because it’s not complicated and it’s consistent.
Why a “reset” works better than motivation in winter
Winter isn’t the time I try to out-hustle my biology.
Instead, I build a small structure that helps my mind and body feel safe enough to move forward again. The reset doesn’t demand big energy. It creates usable energy.
Think of it like this:
Light tells your brain it’s daytime.
Warmth tells your body you’re cared for.
Movement tells your system it’s capable.
One next step tells your mind you’re not stuck.
a Winter Routine
You can do this in the morning, midday, or late afternoon—whenever you notice yourself slipping into winter inertia.
1) Light Cue (2 minutes)
Start with light before you start with thoughts.
Choose one:
Stand by a window and look outside for 60 seconds.
Turn on a lamp you reserve for winter mornings/afternoons.
Light a candle and keep your gaze soft for a minute.
Step outside for one single breath of cold air (even if you come right back in).
Tiny prompt: “What does the light look like today?” Not as a poetic exercise - just as a way to return to what’s real.
If winter is hard on your mood: consider talking to a clinician about seasonal depression and light therapy options. This post is lifestyle support, not medical advice.
2) Warmth Cue (5 minutes)
Now we add warmth - because winter isn’t only visual. It’s physical.
Make tea as an intentional act, not a background task.
A simple method:
Pick one mug you love.
Brew your tea.
While it steeps, do nothing else.
Make it Alaska. Add one “winter note”:
a spoon of honey
a slice of orange
cinnamon
warmed milk or oat milk
If you want other ideas, you can pull from these posts:
The point isn’t the recipe. The point is the signal: I am here. I am warming up. I am not rushing this moment.
3) Body Cue (3–7 minutes)
This is where momentum begins - without requiring a workout.
Pick one:
3-minute walk (inside or outside)
5 slow stretches (neck, shoulders, back, hips, calves)
“Snow-breath” ladder: inhale for 4, exhale for 6, repeat 6 times
If you want a rule: choose the thing you’ll actually do on a low day.
Before/after check (10 seconds):
On a scale of 0–10, how tense do you feel?
Write the number. Then re-check after the movement.
That tiny measurement is how you prove to yourself this reset works.
4) Attention Cue: One Next Step (2 minutes)
This is the final piece—momentum without overwhelm.
Winter can make everything feel bigger than it is. So we shrink it on purpose.
Write down:
1. The next right step (under 10 minutes): __________________
2. What can wait until later: __________________
That’s it. One step. One release. If you’re someone who overthinks, this is your anchor: “I don’t need the full plan. I need the next step.”
In closing, I’m a big proponent of routines and reconnecting with the season to feel grounded. While the thoughts in this post may seem simple, sometimes just remembering the tiny details can be helpful.
I hope you stay warm this winter and full of love & vibrance.
For more articles, check out my blog here or start down one of the paths here. Add a little artwork to your life to freshen up your space or order a new tea blend.