Get Ready for the Holiday Season: Transform Your Mornings with Quick Shower Tips, Nutritious Breakfast Ideas, and Effective YouTube Workouts for Busy People.

It’s already mid-November, and I want to share with you my morning routine has truly worked wonders for me- energizing my days, sharpening my mind, lifting my mood, and building excitement as we approach the holiday season.

Amid winter’s chill, prioritizing self-care with a rejuvenating shower routine sets the foundation for achieving your goals, providing warmth and clarity to fuel your day!

What is a Winter Arc?

The “Winter Arc” marks the transition into winter, encouraging self-development, cozy routines, and personal growth as we prepare for the holidays. The ‘Winter Arc Challenge’ invites you to set specific goals- like mastering a morning routine or enhancing your well-being— to thrive during this transformative season. Embrace the challenge, watch your mood improve, and your goals flourish.

Your Modified Morning Routine:

Morning Routine: A successful morning starts with intention. (I like saying a one-word intention for the day). Including a quick morning routine, or setting a particular amount of time just for you. A refreshing shower, a nutritious breakfast, and short mindful and physical exercise.

Health & Wellness: Prioritizing health in the morning can transform your physical and mental wellness journey. Opt for meals rich in proteins and vitamins to fuel your body, and integrate a brief exercise on YouTube Exercise.

Productivity: Morning routines are more of a habit than it is a natural thought. By starting each day with a purpose, you cultivate a mindset that adapts to challenges and celebrates small victories. This overall improves your perspective and life experience.

Holiday Prep: With the holidays soon approaching, a consistent morning routine becomes even more important. It helps you organize your day, manage holiday tasks efficiently, and provides a moment of calm amid the seasonal chaos.

By implementing a morning routine, you empower yourself to face each day with clarity and confidence. Start tomorrow, and feel the transformative effects as you glide through the holiday season.

This blog post will share:

• A modified version of the Winter Arc challenge.

• A summary of great breakfast options, and

• A through shower routine with recommended products.

Have you ever heard of Winter Arc? Leave your thoughts, and/or questions in the comment section below.

The Winter Arc Challenge

The Winter Arc Challenge has been popular on social media, but as with all challenges you can tweak it to suit you. Emphasis on, ‘tweak to suit you’. Here are the general rules of the Winter Arc challenge but, I have modified most of the rules to suit my lifestyle. Modifying the winter arc challenge rules has helped me to be more consistent. For more information about, “Winter Arc”, Today.com shares a full rundown of the winter arc and challenge but here is the gist:

• Wake up at 5:00 am (or earlier than your usual time.)

• Work out for at least 30 minutes per day.

• Drink 3 at least 2 litres of water

• Read 10 pages and or journal.

• Set a goal on how many times per week you will work out.

• Eat a high-protein diet.

• Do not use your phone within the first 30 minutes of waking up.

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Mastering Your Morning Routine - Your Way!

With a modified winter arc challenge, I have streamed line my morning routine to include the following;

• Waking up at 5:30 am - 6:00 am

• Doing 10-minute meditation, while the kettle is on.

• Drink a hot cup of Creatine Monohydrate, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Half of a lime.

• Physical Activity: 10 - 15 minutes, ‘moving your body’, from my Mind & Body YouTube Playlist. I do a 10-minute YouTube Mobility Routine or a 15-minute Intense Mat Pilates Workout.

• Breakfast: High protein breakfast options of Greek yogurt, berries, walnuts, chia seeds, and/, or 1 can of sardines with chopped cucumbers, green onions, peppers, half a lime, avocados with my secret ingredients of Trinidadian Pepper Sauce, and a few drops of mustard. Let me know if you would like more quick, high-protein breakfast ideas. Now is a great time to take your morning supplements.

• Morning Shower: A morning shower is an incredible mood boost to your day.

• Get ready for the day including your morning skincare routine.

Morning Shower Routine - MUST DO!

A morning shower is the one step that cannot be missed. On occasion, you might miss a day of the winter arc challenge. Your morning shower is the one step that you should not miss. This is such a crucial step in your morning routine because it significantly improves your mental clarity, physically wakes you up, and is an uplifting spiritual experience. Morning showers refresh and awaken your senses. Energy-boosting and increasing productivity are essential parts of your morning routine. This morning ritual elevates your mood and revitalizes your ability to tackle any challenge. Prioritizing a morning shower enhances personal hygiene; this act of self-care boosts your confidence and mental clarity.

Morning Shower Routine in Order:

Step 1. Dry Brush.

Drybrush before your shower. Brush in motions towards your heart. I have tried a few dry brushes over time and found that that price does not relate to the performance of the dry brush. This inexpensive Eco Tool Dry Brush stimulates circulation before the shower. The HigherDose Copper Body Brush is more aesthetically pleasing and made with high-quality materials. It is sleek with copper bristles that boost your lymphatic system and improve your skin health.

Step 2. Bar Soap.

A hydrating, gentle bar soap is an effective way of cleansing your skin. Your bar soap can range in price and scent profile. For winter, very moisturizing bar soaps are prioritized. Dove Beauty Bar Gentle Cleanser is my go-to.

Step 3. Second Cleanse.

For an extra clean feel and to start your scent of the day, use a shower oil or a body wash. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil has a woody-earthy scent that is moisturizing. The liquid changes from an oil to a milky lather that feels very hydrating. For an uplifting fragrance without the extra hydration, I enjoy L’Occitane Verbena Shower Gel and Rose Shower Gel.

In these colder months, you might prefer a more comforting scent. Necessaire Olibanum Body Wash has notes of vanilla, fig leaf, and cassis buds that smell like a warm, high-end spa. It has vitamin C and niacinamide that treat discoloration and dark spots.

Step 4. Moisturize.

I know! Some hate the feeling of lotion and some cannot do without it! The good thing is there are so many ways to moisturize your body.

If you hate putting on moisturizer, because of time or you just hate the feeling, try this Hanni Splash Salve. You apply it in the shower while your skin is still wet. Pat your skin dry after the shower and your skin will be moisturized without the goopy feeling of body lotion.

If you’re like me and have eczema-prone skin, try this Hanni Water Balm Instant Hydration Mist. It soothes my itchy skin. The water balm has a spray applicator, making it super quick and easy to apply anywhere on your body. The Fatty Moisture Stick is insanely nourishing and adds an extra bit of moisture to particular areas you want to treat.

Body Lotion or Body Cream is a must-have for me! If I do not have a lot of time in the morning, I skip the body salve and use body lotion/cream. La Roche Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Lotion and Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream can be used interchangeably depending on how dry your skin is. Both can be used on your face and body adding all-day moisture without the need to re-apply. The La Roch-Posay Extra Dry Skin Body And Face Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is particularly beautiful if you are eczema-prone or have very dry skin.

This is a huge maybe, but adds a luxe layer to your routine if you are in the mood, (which I often am). To further lock in your moisture routine, use Body Oils. They add a nice touch to your body's skincare routine. To hydrate your face, body, and hair, try Biossance 100% Squalene Oil which feels so good and is unscented. To firm your skin and add a wonderful scent, try Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Body Firmeza Oil. This Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Oil smells incredible!

Step 5. Protect

Protect yourself from body odor. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant is my tried and true, body odor protection, no need to re-apply, never fail favorite.

Your Skincare Routine

Your skincare routine depends greatly on your skin type and what you are trying to accomplish. Whether your skincare goal is to maintain your skin health or target particular skin issues, explore my skincare routines and reviews HERE for detailed reviews and routines.

I’ve been using the NuFace Trinity to help tone my face and neck. I am seeing consistent improvement, particularly on my double chin and jaw. The downside to the NuFace is that you have to utilize this skincare tool consistently to see results.

L’Occitane Firming Face Cream and L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Face Oil are new additions to my skincare routine that add a supple, firmness to my skin.

To enhance hydration and shield my skin, I have been loving this ItCosmetics Hello Sunshine Sunscreen. The Shiseido Sunscreen is a trusted favorite and goes on well over makeup.

In conclusion, the transition into winter, marked by the Winter Arc, gives you a great opportunity to set a positive tone for the day and revitalize your morning routine.

By customizing your routine based on your lifestyle to include, these shower tips, high-protein breakfast ideas, and my mind and body YouTube playlist, you can thrive this season with confidence and vigor.

Remember, the goal is to create a routine that works for you and enhances your well-being. As you start this journey, embrace the flexibility to adapt these practical tips to fit your lifestyle.

Cheers to enjoying each morning and thriving this winter season.