7 Secrets of Wellbeing & Beauty: Karen Lee-Thompson, Founder of Wǒ Skincare
Karen Lee -Thompson has two decades of experience in the beauty industry, giving her excellent foundations to start her own skincare brand, Wǒ - a unique concept that uses a speedy online skin diagnostic to tailor a regime of products that match your own needs. A big part of Karen and Wo’s ethos is helping others feel good about themselves and truly confident in their own skin.
As a working mother of two daughters, she knows too well how important it is to make a conscious effort to care for everyone's wellbeing. So here, Karen shares her top secrets for staying balanced, in a fast-paced life. Something we can all learn from – not least, via her how-to on facial massage…
Chatting. Talking about your worries or concerns with people you trust helps you reflect on your feelings and gain a sense of reality. Checking in with others helps them and yourself as you will realise that you're not alone! As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved, so gaining different opinions will help put things into perspective. After chatting to a family member or a close friend, I often find that it can improve my self-awareness and then I would suddenly realise that I am indeed moving in the right direction!
Relieving stress with a facial massage. With 300 pressure points on the face that connect to every part of our body, we can improve our overall wellbeing through a small lifestyle change. There's really no need to be an expert - in a few simple steps, you can boost your mood and complexion by introducing a simple facial massage into your daily skincare routine. This is an effective way of relieving stress and anxious thoughts, especially in the current climate.
Stress can manifest itself in our skin and facial tension, which can cause feelings of tightness and redness. Relieving muscle tension and activating the sympathetic nervous system can positively affect your whole body and general wellbeing. Increased blood circulation means more nutrients and oxygen are being carried to the skin, stimulating collagen production and a natural glow, plus reducing puffiness - the benefit is endless!
I try to eat a balanced diet. We are what we eat. What we should eat and drink for our health and wellbeing can be very confusing; it does feel like it's constantly changing! I believe it's essential to eat well with lots of good healthy foods regularly and treat yourself when you feel like it. It is critical to find out what foods would give you energy or make you feel tired (keeping a record could help you identify that). As a person with gluten intolerant, reducing my favourite bread and pasta out of my daily diet actually helps me physically feel more comfortable during the day. Needless to say, it's also super important to stay hydrated all day long; it will help you concentrate on daily tasks better.
Me time is vital. Taking breaks is just as important as being on the go. With a business to run and a family to look after, I find that ensuring a small window each day to switch off from the digital devices and have some downtime to rejuvenate is a must. Do something that helps YOU destress. Whether going for a walk or just having a lie-down, prioritise yourself for at least 20 minutes.
Avoiding a 'one size fits all mentality. Idolise 'you', and do what makes YOU happy. Sometimes we can't help but compare ourselves with others, imagining that everyone else is having a much better life or career than us. The reality is often the opposite. We all have our own lessons to learn and our own vulnerabilities. Find your own unique ways to focus on what's important to you in your life - YOUR magic formula to achieving your individual goals.
Sleeping well. Our sleep has a close correlation to both our mental and physical health. I try to get at least six hrs a day if I can, but ideally, seven to eight hours of beauty sleep per night will help regulate your mood and set you up feeling energised for the next day. Don't let digital devices eat into your sleep time - it might be helpful to leave your mobile phone out of your bedroom or switch it off entirely if you can!
Practising gratitude. I find doing this can improve my self-esteem and increase my sense of purpose, which positively impacts my overall mood. Allowing yourself to be in the present can improve your overall wellbeing; it can help you to appreciate the little things and experience the simplicity of life. Consider your five senses; think about what you can feel, smell, taste, see and hear. It's easy to focus on the bad when you're feeling down. Help overcome this by writing down three things you're grateful for every morning to start the day off right and full of posterities.