Seven secrets of wellbeing: Romilly Wilde founder Susie Willis
Susie Willis is the founder of one of the new breed of 'eco luxe' beauty brands which are seriously impressing beauty editors (like us). Susie (there isn't actually a Romilly Wilde, though it's a fabulous name!) previously set up Plum Baby, having been one of the first to realise that busy mums wanted better food for their babes.
You can't keep a dynamic entrepreneur down, though – and she's now applying her energy and knowledge to this new venture. (See some of the skincare line-up below). Like all busy women, though, it's a juggling act. So we asked Susie to share the secrets of how she keeps it all together... We hope you're as inspired as we are.
1. Barley Water. I love the taste and it is unbelievably good for you. This is an amazing alkaline drink and therefore reduces any acidity in your system. What is also great is that it controls blood sugar and promotes weight loss due to the incredible rich source of vitamin B-complex, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc, copper, protein, amino acids, dietary fiber, beta-glucans and various antioxidants. I make it with lemon juice, but you can add pineapple or orange for some diversity. Firm family favourite, but certainly great for curbing sweet tooth urges!
2. Farr Infrared Sauna. I swear by sweating. If I cannot sweat in the gym then I aim to go into my ‘sweaty Betty’ for at least 30 minutes twice a week. It deeply detoxifies you blood and organs, to properly purge stagnant toxins and heavy metals from your body. Even if we have a healthy lifestyle, we can still build up levels of toxicity in our systems and unless you sweat them out, they linger and can have a detrimental effect on your body. Great for boosting energy and blood circulation, but as a fab ‘at home’ treatment, these beds or tents can be a real worthwhile investment. Great for increasing metabolism too.
3. Nordic walking. I love striding out using this amazing cross-country skiing style of walking that utilises most major muscle groups for a really effective style of power-walking. Initially I kept tripping over the sticks, but it is a real joy to get out in the fresh air and I can take the dogs with me. Going uphill you can really strengthen upper body and if you incorporate with conscious breathing techniques, a great ‘moving meditation’ as I call it.
4. Playing the cello. I have recently decided to take up something that I have not tried before. I find that the dedication of practice and the connection with the instrument is both therapeutic and exhilarating, and when you get clean notes, the vibrations and sound are beautiful. It is like dressage but without the horse, i.e. hours of dedication, practice and patience.
5. Skincare rituals. Naturally I only use clean, natural ingredients and skincare products. Like anything, if you believe in something as a way of being, to compromise is jarring. I love doing a full face and body brushing using copper and bristle brushes and then a hot bath with aromatherapy oils to suit my mind/body/soul at that time. I smother my face in our Light + Energy Serum Cleanser/£54 for 100 ml and let all those fab oils envelop me and nourish my skin. I am soon bringing out our own range of bath products, but meanwhile I adore Olverum Oil/£29 for 125 ml and have used it for nearly 30 years.
6. Juice fasting twice a week. It really does kick start your system to utilise the energy that you already have stored and helps again to clear systems and alleviate stagnancy and sluggishness. However, during these two days, I avoid heavy gym work and do nibble on activated nuts!
7. Supplementing your diet and nutrition. It IS possible to eat yourself well. I support my clean diet with a plethora of nutrition support mostly from Wild Nutrition and Lumity. This way I have arrested the menopause and feel better now than I did ten years ago.
