How to Wake Up on Dark Winter Mornings

(A Simple Scent + Sip Routine That Works)

This morning at 5:30am, I leaned over my sleeping 14-year-old and whispered:

“Good morning… we’re going to IHOP.”

One eye opened.
Then the other.
Within seconds, she was out of bed.

The anticipation of pancakes and a special one-on-one breakfast date will wake a teenager faster than any alarm clock.

But we can’t go to IHOP every day.

And most mornings don’t come with a special date or a stack of pancakes.

They arrive quietly, asking us to function before we feel awake.

Why Dark Winter Mornings Feel So Hard

These dark, cold February mornings can make everything feel groggy.

When it’s still dark outside, the brain sometimes resists the “boot up” process. Anyone else feel that?

You’re technically awake…
But not fully online.

That’s because our bodies love rhythm.

They respond to patterns more than the clock itself.

And when sunlight is missing, your brain loses one of its strongest wake-up signals.

The good news?
You can create your own.

The Simple Scent + Sip Morning Routine

I call it a scent + sip routine, and it’s one of the easiest natural ways to wake up your brain.

It works because your sense of smell is deeply connected to memory and brain activity. In fact, smell is one of the strongest senses tied to emotional and neurological response.

Over time, your brain begins to recognize a repeated sensory pattern.

Just like my kids recognize that whispered invitation to pancakes…

Your body learns:

“We’re awake now… and we’re okay.”

How to Create Your Own Morning Wake-Up Signal

Instead of overhauling your entire morning routine, start small.

Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Choose a Bright, Uplifting Essential Oil

Pick one of your favorite Young Living essential oils.

Smell it straight from the bottle
Or add it to your diffuser

Breathe it in deeply.

Same oil.
Same scent.
Same signal.

Consistency is what makes this powerful.

Step 2: Pair It With a Warm Drink

Hold something warm in your hands:

Water
Tea
Coffee
Or a nutrient-rich drink

Sip slowly and start your morning gently.

The pairing of scent + sip becomes your brain’s cue that it’s time to begin.

Today’s Tip: Create a Repeatable 2-Minute Reset

Before diving into emails, school drop-offs, or work:

Inhale your favorite bright oil deeply
Hold a warm, comforting drink

That’s it.

This practice gives your body a familiar, uplifting start.

Light helps wake the body, but your senses—smell and taste—reinforce the rhythm.

Your body pays attention to patterns, not just the clock.

My Favorite Morning Picks

Citrus Fresh™ Essential Oil Blend

A beautiful blend of:

Orange
Grapefruit
Mandarin
Tangerine
Lemon
Spearmint

It smells like instant fresh air—even if you’re stuck inside on a gray winter morning.

It’s one of my favorite oils to diffuse first thing.

NingXia Red® 2 oz Singles

Now listen—I do LOVE my piping hot cup of coffee.

But for the sake of nutrition, I keep NingXia Red® 2 oz Singles in the house.

NingXia is a superfood drink, and my body genuinely loves it. Drinking it at the same time each day helps signal my body to wake up.

The singles are pre-portioned, which makes consistency easy. The formula includes Ningxia wolfberry puree, a superfruit blend, and citrus oils like Orange and Yuzu.

(If you want to understand the hype around it, listen to my podcast episode on NingXia!). Listen Here