Well Being | Simply Wellbeing
In a series of new interviews, we asked Bekah of Simple Wellbeing to give us her self-care recommendations.
Bekah is an Integrated Nutrition Health Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher, you can find details of her 1-2-1 and group classes on her website. The Simply Wellbeing Instagram is also our ultimate source of breakfast inspiration and calming content.
Well Being…
Breath is extrinsically linked to wellbeing and although every person, everywhere breathes – often we don’t do this basic human function optimally. I try to spend time every day focusing on breath. Ideally first thing, spend at least 5 minutes taking full, deep belly breaths – the perfect start to the day. If I have extra time available I try to make this practice into a ritual. I scent the room with Ila Apothecary Beat The Blues Room Spray which helps to clear any atmosphere and create a peaceful and uplifting space.
The breathing exercise below relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system, reduces stress and anxiety, relaxes your muscles, reduces your heart rate and blood pressure – not bad for a simple breathing exercise!
Take a comfortable seated posture with a straight spine and your eyes closed
Savour a few moments of stillness
Inhale through your nose for a count of 5 breaths
Hold the breath at the top of the inhale for a count of 7
Exhale through your nose for a count of 7 breaths
Well Fit…
As a yoga teacher I would have to say that my go to is yoga! You can find my classes on my website. Alongside yoga I try to do 3 online Barre classes using Psycle. One of the benefits of lockdown is that I can now access some of the best classes from the comfort from my own home – no need to live in the City to attend boutique fitness classes anymore!
Well Groomed…
Busy lives sometimes mean that self-care can be at the bottom of the list for people. I find that small acts of self-care scattered throughout the day are often more achievable than full spa days. Something non-negotiable for me is using my Gua Sha.
Gua Sha (available from hayoumethod.com) are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help de-puff, tone and tighten skin. They boost lymphatic drainage and help to relieve tension. As a suffer of jaw tension, from clenching, grinding of the teeth and migraines, a quick session with my Gua Sha is the only thing to bring relief. You can find tutorials online and using your favourite oil – mine is Votary Super Seed Facial Oil, you can quickly and effectively massage any tension away. An added bonus is the bright, glowing skin you are left with after!
Well Nourished…
Nourish bowls are the perfect go to meal, containing everything you need for a delicious and nutritious meal. The recipe below is the perfect base for a nourish bowl, salad or as a side for a main meal.
Easy Edamame Salad:
Cook 250g of edamame beans
Chop 4 spring onions and add them to the drained edamame
Add a good handful of mixed nuts (I like peanuts, cashews and hazelnuts for this dish)
Make a sauce with a tbsp each of apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil and the juice of one lime. Mix with a pinch of salt and chilli flakes
Add the sauce to the edamame mix with a tbsp of sesame seeds
Top with some sundried tomatoes and a chopped avocado
Mix everything together and add to your grain of choice – quinoa is perfect but any whole grain will work. Or you could eat it on its own, on a bed of mixed salad leaves or with rice or noodles; the perfect make ahead lunch or light supper.
Well Travelled…
After the birth of my daughter, my first night away was a short break to Calcot Manor. Set in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds it promised that it wasn’t just child friendly but fully ‘geared up for smaller guests’ and it really didn’t disappoint. The room had a separate child’s bedroom complete with mini bed, welcome gifts, the fluffiest robes and Aromatherapy Associates products.
The Playbarn is an onsite, Ofsted rated crèche. As any new mum knows trust is paramount and the childcare facility, complete with mobile alarm to tell me when she woke, let me have a completely stress free and much needed relax in the spa. The warm waters of the outdoor, fireside hot tub soothed the soul and provided some much needed me time.
The Conservatory restaurant was perfectly set up for small ones with kid friendly cutlery and menu. The seasonal and sustainable food was incredible and the staff were so helpful that when it was time for baby’s bed, they arranged for desert to be delivered so the grown up’s didn’t miss out. A staycation I can thoroughly recommend for kids of any age.
Well Worn…
I am a big believer in clothes that are multi-functional and work for the gym and day to day life plus they always have to be sustainable. I adore this 100% cotton Free People pullover which can be worn either way round and is perfect thrown over my leotard for yoga but also works well over leggings or jeans. Slouchy, baggy and pre-washed - it’s the perfect throw on.
