Carla Oates, founder of The Beauty Chef shares with us her rituals for mental & physical wellbeing.
"Beyond prioritising wholesome and nourishing meals every single day, there are a few extra wellness rituals that I swear by to keep my gut happy, my immunity strong and my skin glowing…"
Morning Movement
I try to walk most mornings—and thankfully—it’s something we’ve been able to do here in Sydney, Australia over the past few months. I love walking along Bondi Beach at sunrise, which is quite close to my house, or through Centennial Park, which is a more meditative route. I describe walking as a natural filing system for my brain—it provides mental clarity, gives me energy and helps to set me up for the day.
Daily Elixirs
Seasonally, I like to switch up my daily elixir. For most of the year, I take GLOW and COLLAGEN religiously—it’s a simple gut-and-skin-nourishing ritual that really sets the tone for the day—but, when Spring is in full swing, I often opt for a combination of GLOW and ANTIOXIDANT instead. The health of our gut microbiome can have a major impact on how we react to environmental allergens and food intolerances, so I make sure I have this health-supporting combination every single day to bolster my immunity. Maintaining a consistent ritual like this has made a huge difference to my health and wellbeing in the long term.
Pen And Paper
As a former beauty writer, I still love to put pen to paper whenever I get the chance. Journaling is a style of writing that I really enjoy because it allows me to explore solutions, pursue ideas and evaluate things from a healthy distance. Research shows that it can also reduce stress and help with problem-solving, making it the perfect pre-work ritual. I always feel calmer, clearer and more present when I take a moment to jot down some thoughts before starting my day. It might only be ten minutes, but it makes all the difference.
Spritz And Spray
I keep a bottle of WELL SPRAY on my desk, in the car and in my handbag at all times. It’s a refreshing oral spray that boasts a beautiful combination of bio-fermented, herbal ingredients—think olive leaf, sage, peppermint, clove bud, pomegranate, elderberry and calendula—that work powerfully within the body to support immune health, boost digestion and protect cells from free radical damage. I simply spray it under my tongue 12 times a day—normally after a meal—for a delicious burst of bio-fermented herbs that are quickly absorbed into my bloodstream. WELL SPRAY also contains selenium for added immune support, which is why I have it with me year-round.
Nightly Nourishment
Quality sleep helps with stress management, allows the body to recover from illness, promotes skin rejuvenation, assists weight maintenance and improves the composition of the gut microbiome—in fact, it’s the one wellness ritual we should all take a little more seriously. I like to read before bed as it calms my busy mind far better than the flicker of the television (though I do love my Friday night films!) and almost always lulls me into a deep sleep.
A Final Word
The key to successfully incorporating wellness rituals—or any new habit—is to be realistic about what you can achieve. Rather than trying to cram in five new rituals before 9am, pick one and commit to it for a week—there’s nothing more stressful than feeling like you’ve already “failed” at something before the day has even begun. Be gracious with yourself and remember that life is never as neat as it might appear on someone’s social media feed!
