FOR Carole Bamford, a home spa is not about indulgence; it’s about incorporating self-care into your everyday routine. Creating a calming space doesn’t require elaborate rituals or specialist equipment, just a few considered practices that support sleep, digestion and overall wellbeing.
Carole Bamford. Photograph: Martin Morrell
As the founder of her namesake brand Bamford, known for its natural approach to wellness and sustainable living, and The Club by Bamford, that’s set within acres of greenery at Daylesford, her approach embraces holistic wellbeing. From crystals and tonics to sleep rituals, she shares the simple practices she relies on to restore balance and bring a sense of calm into everyday life.
Rose Quartz
“I have found comfort in crystals ever since I started visiting India over 40 years ago. In India, there is a strong belief in chakras – our body’s energy centres – and the need for energy to flow freely between each one. Although I know it may sound a little impenetrable to some, crystals can be used as part of a healing process to help unblock this energy flow, and they are something I’ve been drawn to naturally and instinctively. Their constancy and quiet strength remind me of nature’s potency and our connection to the earth.”
Rose Quartz and a selection of other crystals: courtesy of Bamford
“I have always been particularly drawn to rose quartz, which I think carries a beautiful, feminine energy. Incorporating a rose quartz Gua Sha into my skincare routine – or simply keeping a large stone in my bathroom and by my bedside – helps me feel both calm and protected. As part of Bamford’s signature treatment, a large jade stone is placed on the solar plexus to help ground the body, regulate emotions and stimulate energy flow pre-massage – something you can easily recreate at home.”
Natural Teas & Tonics
“I always follow my skincare, breathwork and yoga routines with a restorative homemade tonic. Fresh turmeric tea, beetroot juice or lemon with cider vinegar and water are my current favourites to nourish, hydrate and ease my body into the day. This gentle ritual is something we incorporate into all our Bamford spa treatments too – a peaceful moment to help cleanse, energise, heal and restore.”
Natural Teas and Tonics: courtesy of Bamford
“At home, I choose different teas depending on the time of day or how I’m feeling: something energising, such as green tea, in the morning; cleansing teas, such as nettle leaf, peppermint or fennel, to aid digestion; and I love sleepy, relaxing teas, such as camomile or lavender, before I go to bed. Even the simple act of brewing, waiting and sipping a cup of tea is one of the oldest – and easiest– ways to find a moment of mindfulness.”
B Silent Pillow Mist
“Sleep is the cornerstone of our overall well-being. It’s the time our bodies have to regenerate, heal and repair – yet having trouble sleeping is a huge concern for many people. To create a restful spa-like environment – or for the deep, restorative sleep post-treatment – I’ll always spritz my bed linen and towels with Bamford’s soothing B Silent Pillow Mist. Its natural blend of frankincense, marjoram and lavender is instantly soporific.”
B Silent Pillow Mist. : courtesy of Bamford
“A consistent nighttime routine also helps settle my mind and prepare my body for rest, so I will try to go to bed at the same time every night, remove any screens from my bedroom and reach for a book instead of my phone. I have just started reading ‘ The Catching Force’ by Cosima Somerset, which is an extraordinary tale of humanity and healing, or if I only have time for a short poem or quote, I love the words of Osho and Rumi.”
by Felicity Carter
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