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IMAGE staffer Emily O’Neill has perfected her wellness routine
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Striking a balance between exercise, relaxation and space for sitting at her make-up station is integral to Emily O’Neill’s weekly wellness ritual.
Over the years my perception of wellness has changed a lot and at the ripe age of 28, I think I finally found my almost perfect routine that helps me excel in all of the areas I want to, but also relax and unwind.
In January, I put a couple of achievable fitness goals in front of me, and thanks to a very balanced wellness routine, I have already achieved some of those goals. The most important thing to note from this article is that everyone has their own idea of what wellness is to them, and what works for some might not work for others!
I recently started working with a personal trainer, Peter from Kodiak Fitness, and it has transformed my relationship with both exercise and food. I used to dread the gym – not because I hated exercise, but because I was so self-conscious of what other people thought of me and my body.
I’m glad to have finally escaped that mindset and am making great progress with my trainer. I am stronger, fitter and most importantly, healthier. I’ve taken a slow and steady approach with this journey, and now I am nearly five months in and I feel like a new person. The gym has become part of my normal routine, and I don’t beat myself up if I don’t make a session during the week.
Align, which is a new reformer pilates studio opening in Edenderry later this month, is something I have been really excited for. I have never done a single pilates or reformer pilates class in my life, but I’m hoping to give it a go and add it into my weekly routine!
Outside of exercise, there is so much more that falls into my idea of wellness. For example, my skincare routine is a key part of this. It’s a peaceful ten minutes to myself in the morning and evening. I don’t have a ten-step ritual that I follow, but I do have a couple of key products that I couldn’t live without – they are all from Sculpted by Aimee. I use a cleanser, serum, eye cream and moisturiser, and that is the bones of it. It doesn’t have to be overly complicated once you have a few good products.
I’m a self-confessed beauty addict, and I adore trying and testing the newest launches. One of my hobbies is to sit down to record quick and easy make-up tutorials to share on social media. It was an outlet I turned to during the pandemic when I did a couple of online make-up courses, and it has stuck with me ever since. After a busy work week, it is a great way to tap into my creative side.
Spending time with friends and family is a huge part of my life, and I am so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people. I recently caught up with one of my best friends at Farmfield Spa Escapes in Kells, Co Meath, and we had the most gorgeous afternoon. We both had relaxing back massages followed by an hour in their outdoor thermal suite. Sitting in the hot tub surrounded by nature was the definition of perfection!
A ‘coffee and sweet treat’ is a phrase I probably say too often, but in my eyes, it’s essential! I love popping into my local coffee shops, Förj Coffee Co. in Edenderry and The Bogs Dollops in Rhode Village. Both serve the best coffee and have the loveliest staff too. Life is too short to deny yourself a sweet treat, so it’s okay to indulge every so often.
This might be a very niche part of my ideal wellness routine, but when I say I love a browse around Dunnes Stores at least once a week, I really mean it. An added bonus is if my ma is with me too! I’m ‘mad for style’ as my nana always tells me, so I love having a little look at the newest bargains. It’s an even bigger treat if it’s a browse around one of the ‘fancy Dunnes’. I can’t come home without picking up new pyjamas and fluffy socks!
As I mentioned, this is my perfect routine — but it may not be yours, and that’s okay. I love that we can all have our own interpretation of wellness. For me, it’s exercise, skincare, the odd sweet treat and a trip to fancy Dunnes!
The IMAGE Wellness Project is sponsored by Activia and Irish Life Health. Visit our IMAGE Wellness Project Hub to follow weekly updates including interviews, videos and podcast episodes with leading wellbeing experts.
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