In the winter it can be incredibly hard to force yourself up and out of bed in the mornings; especially when your room is an icebox and the sun has yet to rise. It isn't all bad once you're up and about though and after reading this article about the good things to get out from under your duvet for, morning struggles will be a thing of the past.

Natural light itself plays a big part in your overall wellbeing as it boosts vitamin D, which prevents the likes of osteoporosis, as well as uplifting your mood and boosting energy levels.

However, you can't just open your curtains and rely on the sun to shine through your window, as UVB radiation does not penetrate glass. To really reap the benefits of sunlight, you want to get some before you begin work. So why not wake up a little earlier and think about the positive effect taking a walk first thing will have.

The cold weather can leave you feeling lethargic and worn out, so after a long day at work the last thing you'll want is to work out. This is why it's best to get some exercise in first thing, so you can get it out the way and get your metabolism kick-started. You may be suspicious of exercise as a way to feel more awake, but in reality you'll feel ready to conquer the day after a mere 20 minutes working out.

To treat yourself after working up a sweat, make a cup of hot chocolate or a mocha. You might think it's a little indulgent for the morning, however being packed full of flavonoids and antioxidants to help lower blood pressure and look after red blood cells, chocolate is an ideal morning luxury.

If drinking a sweet milky drink is a bit rich, try a square of dark chocolate instead.

Lastly, think of how much more you can get done if you get out of bed nice and quickly first thing. Morning people have been proven to have better success rates in all aspects of life, especially professional areas. Make a list of little things you can get done in the AM throughout the week and test yourself to see how many of them you can achieve when leaping into the day that little bit earlier.

© Cover Media