THE ART OF RITUALS
A morning with Samantha Chea
The founder of OTIUM, a travel agency that organizes slow-luxurious retreats in unique places all around the world, shares with us her morning rituals and how she had to adjust them after the birth of her newborn.
BY OTIUM
12 December, 2022
1. Feeling gratitude
I keep a notebook on my nightstand where I write down 3 things I am grateful for after waking up. This reflection exercise instantly puts me in a calm state of mind. I also like to sometimes read past entries - it reminds me that joy comes from little things in life.
Five Minute Journal, a guided gratitude journal
10% Discount code: GRATITUDE
2. Hot Lemon Water
Easy to prepare, it is a great way to boost the immune system. I drink it throughout the first part of my morning.
3. Yoga flow and dance
My morning rituals have changed a lot since the birth of my daughter. Unfortunately I cannot dedicate as much time as before to yoga. Fifteen minutes of Vinyasa flow at home with often interruptions by the baby have replaced my usual practice of one hour in a studio. Building regularity and accept to do things differently took me a lot of time. After this short session, I continue moving with dance. My daughter usually joins me and it is a great family moment.
4. Meditate with sun rays
In an effort to gain some time, I combine 15 min. of meditation sitting outside on my terrace facing the sun. It is the perfect combination to build focus and enhance mental health while catching up with my Vitamin D intake. I am planning to enhance my setting for meditation and make sure I maintain a good back posture. I recently discovered the brand Walden and their beautiful meditation bench - a functional and design object I am planning to gift myself.
Walden, hand-made meditation bench
5. Improve blood circulation
Dry brushing is an element I only introduce two years ago during my pregnancy to avoid stretch marks. It is a great way to also improve blood circulation and exfoliate the skin. I do it usually for 10 min. with vigorous strokes. I like the one with a handle for optimal grip, making it easier to brush hard-to-reach areas.
6. Shower with cold water
I end all my showers with cold water and let it run until I feel comfortable with the temperature - which usually takes two full minutes. Living in Asia in tropical weather helps a lot implementing this ritual given the hot temperatures.
7. Novelty in self-care
Including novelty in my morning ritual helps me maintain each habit. I love to discover new face oils. I apply them before using my jade roller. I am currently excited to try Saent face oil, already cult on the island of Ibiza, made by facialist and skin expert Frederika van Hagen.
Saent, an omega-complex face oil
8. Prepare a superfood elixir
My usual go-to morning drink is a cup of matcha with coconut milk. Recently I also started to introduce “Golden Milk” in my morning rituals. This Aruyevedic drink includes turmeric, cinnamon and ginger, to which I add Ashwagandha. Those ingredients are highly anti-oxidant and reduce inflammatory pain. I also notice that my level of stress has gradually decreased since replacing coffee with those two beverages.
The Kinsei shop, a cup of herbal matcha latte
9. Read one chapter
I recently decided to deepen my knowledge on Ayurveda and discover Martha Soffer, an internationally acclaimed Ayurvedic Panchakarma expert, Ayurvedic Chef, Herbal Rasayanist, and master Ayurvedic Pulse diagnostician. She shares her knowledge in a 3-module online class. I try to read one chapter or watch one video while drinking my tea.
Martha Soffer, educational course on Ayurveda
10. Start to work on the most difficult task
Every morning I organize my “To-do list” by setting priorities and tackle the task that requires the most concentration and clairvoyance. Having a fresh mind tremendously helps complete it faster and find creative solutions. Before starting, I apply one of the functional fragrances by Nullpunkt on my head temples. I feel supported and inspired by the essential oil scent- it is very addictive.
Nullpunkt, functional frangrance “Refocus” roll-on
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