I was recently invited to Neom Organics’ new store on Kings Road in Chelsea, London, and I wanted to share a little bit about what I took away from it as well as share some of my own wellness tips with you.
I’ve been a fan of Neom’s Founder, Nicola Elliott’s ethos for quite some time. For those of you who haven’t come across Nicola, she used to be Editor of Glamour Magazine. In 2005, Nicola was one of the pioneers of the better work/life balance, which is a balance people are still striving to today.
Taking Time Out
I wrote a whole blog post on taking time out not too long ago. So, if that’s something you’re interested in, it’s worth clicking here.
It’s easy to lose your original mantra as your business grows. I’ve seen it happen so many times before. It’s also hard to employ people that share the same passion as you. I was pleasantly surprised to visit the store and find that everybody shared this overall goal of helping people feel calmer.
I started by having a green juice (shown below) from Tanya’s Cafe – another brand that encompasses the balanced lifestyle. The juice was followed by a hand massage in the mindfulness area that the team have created at the back of the store.
The massage really helped me to feel a little bit more ‘in the moment’. Massages help me to drop everything from my mind, so if you’re an over thinker, it’s worth trying out. Each person is also offered a free consultation to give them an understanding of their underlying needs.
What is effecting your wellness?
It’s easy to pinpoint certain things that make you feel anxious day-to-day, but it’s a little harder to pinpoint the exact area you need a pick-me-up in. Neom Organics’ Scent Discovery Bar sits at the front of the shop, encouraging shoppers to pick a scent that they levitate towards the most. There are four options; sleep, de-stress, energy and mood boosting. Here’s a picture of how the scents are set out for you.
I was very clearly attracted to mood boosting. It was a very light, airy smell. I was then shown an entire collection dedicated to mood boosting. I’ve been using these whenever I need a little boost. For me, my lull time is probably mid-afternoon. Working primarily from home, it’s the time I start to feel a bit tired and ready for some chocolate. This smell has definitely pushed me through that slump and revived my energy.
Sit back and relax
My favourite bit of the store was the library area. It’s a relaxing area at the back that showcases a range of wellness and lifestyle literature. You can sit there for a few minutes or spend hours perusing the books. The area is a nice haven from the busy Kings Road outside the door.
I’m surprised more shops haven’t cottoned onto this idea. My hairdressers, The Chapel, do the exact same thing in that you have a relaxation area whilst you’re waiting with foils on. It promotes a whole new level of calm. It makes the shop feel more than a shop and it’s certainly a trend I think a lot more shops should get on board with.
On The Go
For me personally, I was struck by the new Wellbeing On The Go range. In modern day life it’s quite difficult to avoid stress altogether, so I’m a big advocate for making it more manageable and alleviating it where possible.
This new collection consists of travel sized products to revive your mood wherever you are. I’ve been using three things in this collection on a daily basis: the Mood Lifting Pulse Point, £8, the Nourish, Breathe & Smile Hand Balm, £8 and my favourite – the Mood Lifting Mist, £8.
The Pulse Point is a fragrance featuring wild mint and mandarin and other essential oils, blended to calm you wherever you are. Simply use the roller ball on your wrists and begin to relax.
Step two of my nightly ritual is the hand balm. I try not to look at my phone too close to bed, so I’ll sit and read, letting this sink into my hands. Whenever I do this I feel my body relax.
My final step before I go to bed is to spray the mist gently around my face and then let it rain down onto my skin. It’s heaven!
My advice
The three happiness products I’ve been trying out for the last month have really made a difference to my mood. So, if you’re new to Neom Organics and wanting to dip your toes in the water, this is a good start. I’ve turned my hotel room into a miniature spa and even sprayed it in the car on the way to work. It may all just be in the mindset, but whatever it is, it really works for me.
If you’re in Chelsea, I’d recommend popping into the new Kings Road store for a little light shopping relief. You’ll find it at 186a Kings Road, London, SW3 5XP.