THE YEAR OF SELF-CARE

It’s now been over a year since life as we know it got turned on its head. It’s been difficult, frustrating, scary, sad, weird and financially impactful for us all in some way, but it’s also provided so many opportunities for growth. More than ever we’re adopting acts of self-care to counteract the stress and uncertainty of the wider world, evidenced by the brands that have seen a huge spike in popularity and sales. Many of us who have been able to work from home throughout the pandemic made the most of the time we’ve saved from not commuting by trying things which may have felt like too much of a time indulgence or luxury previously. From speaking to friends who have had to take on the role of teacher (amongst everything else) these acts have proven even more necessary as an opportunity to switch off from it all, even if just for 5 minutes. Here are some of the self-care practices I’ve leaned into in the past 12 months — and some of the products that helped me get there, all things which I intend to bring with me as the world slowly opens up.

LAYING ON A SHAKTI MAT

A shakti mat — or acupressure mat — has been used throughout the Indian subcontinent for centuries to help balance the mind and body. Think bed of nails, but certainly not as intimidating or painful! Acupressure mats help increase blood flow, ease back and neck pain, and relax your mind, among many other benefits. I first got into them a good 10 years back but when I moved homes three years ago it somehow never made it out of a packing box. Well I’ve dusted it off and put it back into circulation (pun intended). Get your own modernised mat here.

BODY BRUSHING

Body brushing has been a part of my life for a long time, especially when I was modelling to tone the skin and invigorate me in the mornings. Lockdown has provided a wonderful opportunity to do it the more Ayurvedic way and reap its benefits even more, by swapping in the raw silk Garshana gloves to gently dry brush my body, eliminating impurities and stimulating circulation as I go. Perfect for Vata and Pitta types who need something a little more delicate on their skin and system.

TAKING MY SUPPLEMENTS

Supplements are a bit tricksy — on the one hand they are expensive and shouldn’t be a replacement for real food or used to avoid an attempt at a healthy lifestyle, but on the other hand they really can provide the boost we need if we’re out of whack and need supporting through a difficult period or to bring our systems up to speed, especially nowadays with the mineral depletion of our industrially farmed soils. In Ayurveda it’s understood that most of our essential vitamins and minerals should be coming from our diet — from good-quality food enhanced with herbs and spices such as turmeric, ginger, cumin and tulsi and efficiently processed via good digestion. That said, Ayurveda also understands that the right dose turns a food into a medicine — for example ashwagandha, brahmi and shatavari as well as specific blends such as triphala taken as tablets or in powdered form combined with honey or mixed with hot water and taken at specific times. Of late there has been an even bigger focus in the media on bolstering ourselves with vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc and magnesium — I always have these on hand in their food state form (rather than synthetic) to combat a cold or stressful time. Food state supplements as my nutritionist friends recommend are more bioavailable, meaning the body can recognise them and use the supplements in their natural form. I would definitely suggest you consult a practitioner before starting any kind of strict supplement regimen. Check the Resources page for Ayurvedic practitioners and Vaidyas as well as food and supplement brands and suppliers to get you started.

IMPROVISING A HOME GYM

Whether it’s simply a yoga mat (in my case) and some resistance bands, or a rebounder and a kettlebell, or the full on scaffolding multigym contraption that Nick set up in the back garden at the start of lockdown #1, with the explosion of Zoom and Instagram Lives, there’s always something interesting going on these days, from high energy to low, slow or flow.

LEANING INTO RITUAL

Little rituals play a big part in my life by providing me some structure, routine, me-time and mindfulness, but lockdown has made it a lot easier to follow daily practices without being constantly pulled in different directions. I think we’ve all learned to slow down so much more (and realise we were living in 5th gear!), listen to our minds and bodies and give them what they need this year. I’ve done my best to follow the Ayurvedic daily rituals that I know support me best — especially sleeping before 10 and waking before 6. Quality rest is more important now than ever. If you find it hard to integrate self-care into your daily life, try making a list of the practices you know will really benefit you and schedule them into your diary just like you would a meeting or a workout class — that’s how important they are! It can be as small as shutting your eyes for 2 minutes, having a quick soak in the bath or meditating for 10 minutes.

GETTING UP FROM MY DESK

So simple yet something we so often forget to do when we’re essentially living in the office. I try to get up every so often when I’m working to stretch my legs, ease any tension in my neck and shoulders and get in a nice change of scenery, plus a mind reset. I try to follow the Pomodoro Technique, working for 25 minutes then allowing myself a 5-minute break. If I’m super busy, I’ll do some stretches while at my desk — as taught to me by my good friend Tony Riddle.

ACTUALLY TAKING A LUNCH BREAK

You don’t need me to tell you that desk lunches are sad and don’t make us feel good. In Ayurveda, eating is a mindful practice — and we don’t digest as well if we’re not eating in relaxed conditions. So whenever I can, I try to make time for a proper lunch break where I sit with my homemade food (sometimes made in the morning or the night before and kept warm in a flask) and really savour it. I also really encourage you to fit in a meditation of some kind at lunch time — try my #LunchBreakSoundscapes if you haven’t already. You will come back to your work so much more prepared and centred.