How I prioritise my wellbeing with my cosy winter morning routine

“Ah Christmas. The carol concerts, late night shopping, mulled wine and cheese – oh the cheese! But have you ever noticed how the ‘best bits’ of Christmas are about making the most of those long, winter nights, not those equally long, dark mornings?

“As a member of the operations department, I’m no stranger to busy days and late nights at Symprove HQ. Whether it’s looking after the bottling team, preparing for the next day's production or tracking down ‘that thing’ that maintenance need urgently. On more than one occasion, I’ve earnt the title of ‘the busiest person at Symprove’.”

About me...

“Before I deep dive into my morning routine, a little bit about me - I started working at Symprove in January 2025, but my Symprove journey starts pretty much exactly a year before, in January 2024. Like you, I’m sure, I was seeing Symprove everywhere – on my Instagram feed, on TV adverts and in the supermarket aisle. After a number of traumatic events in 2023, I was looking to prioritise my own health and wellbeing and that included my gut health. After taking up the 12-week trial through the refer-a-friend scheme, I was hooked.

“Fast forward to January 2025 and following a relocation for my partner James’ job, I found myself living 2 miles from Symprove HQ and starting a new role in their operations department. Now nearly 2 years into taking Symprove, I am so proud to work for a company that is so passionate about changing lives for the better, and yes, pretty much all of us start our day with a shot of Symprove.”

My 4 morning non-negotiables

“I’m lucky to have a very short morning commute, so I make sure I use my mornings to prioritise my own wellbeing. Not only does this set me up for success at work but allows me to leave evenings free for other activities, whether that’s yoga, catching up with friends or a guilt-free doom scroll by the fire with a festive film (we all do it, don’t lie).”

Start my mornings with Symprove

“I wake up at 6, wake up Sooty our Sprocker Spaniel and then head to the fridge to take my Symprove. My favourites are Mango & Passion Fruit or Pineapple. I spend the next 10 minutes making a hot drink before heading back to bed.”

Prioritise time to relax

“I try and avoid screens and caffeine for the first two hours after waking up, so spend half an hour in bed reading with a hot lemon and water. I love a fiction novel, anything by Karen Swan or Jilly Cooper is my go-to. It’s my time to be cosy so fairy lights and a fluffy blanket are essential.”

Get out for a morning dog walk

“Sooty and I then head out on our morning walk as soon as there’s enough light. We are lucky enough to live on a farm so ensure we make the most of it by getting out whenever we can – even in the rain. I don’t like to listen to music or a podcast, I find it more relaxing to give my full attention to my surroundings and completely unplug. I don’t set step or distance goals, sometimes I’ll spend an hour walking as much as I can, other times I’ll still take an hour but walk a shorter distance at a slower pace and enjoy taking photos and appreciating the view.”

Enjoy a coffee

“Back home and time for coffee with a good splash of full fat, British milk. I usually try and tick something off my personal to do list before heading to work, whether it’s a load of laundry, housework or meal planning, it helps me feel I’ve prioritised myself before heading into the office.

“Then it’s time to de-farm and get ready for a day in the office. No two days in operations are the same, but my morning routine helps me to put myself first and set myself up for success.”

Dig into more morning routines

How I support my family's gut-immune health in the winter

The immunity supporting supplement stack of an ex pro athlete

Living with chronic illness and food intolerances: my empowering morning routine

Rise and shine: my anxiety relieving morning routine

To learn more about other gut health topics, visit Symprove’s Gut Hub.