In Bloom With Hilary Rose
Known and loved as an IFTA nominated actress, Hilary has a whole other 'wild side.' She shares her journey to discovering 'Radical Rest' and her passion to help people re-connect with nature through her Live Wild Podcast.
Most people know you as an IFTA nominated actress Hilary, in some of our favourite shows like The Young Offenders, but we know there is a whole other 'wild' side to you! Can you share how your own wellness journey began?
My wellness journey began in earnest after a bad episode of burnout. I was injured and burned out and I thought, 'What am I doing all this for?" My actions no longer served my life in that time and I concluded that my purpose was to 'serve' in community. I had no real grasp of what that meant at that time but that feeling was guiding me to dive further into myself. From there I realised I needed a lot of self care and self love and so the wellness journey began.
There is more scientific research out now than ever that shows the negative impact stress has on our body and minds including our skin. How do you manage stress in your very busy life?
I try to carve out as much me time as a mother of two small children can. I also have the juggle of being a soloprenuer on top of that. But balancing it all requires timing and boundaries and I've become really good at saying 'No thank you'!
That, for me, it really important when managing stress.
Could you describe your favourite self-care rituals that help you find calm and balance?
I so look forward to my self care rituals. If I go through a busy period I make sure that the time is marked in my calendar, it's that important to me. Usually it looks likes an empty house if possible, if not then a space tucked away in one of the empty rooms. I keep the harsh lights off, using only dim lighting or candles, I wrap up warm and sit on a floor cushion. Being on the floor feels more grounding and helps my body relax. I start with some breathing exercises, nothing strenuous, just lengthening the exhale so as to unwind my nervous system.
I allow myself to slip into mediation, if my mind is extra busy, I'll find a guided mediation to help me focus. Other times my body is too wound up so I just allow it to relax on the floor and I let me body move in whatever way it wants to. You'd be surprised at what memories or stories come up for processing when you allow this to happen. I might finish the session with a card from the many oracles decks I have! I invite in messaging that helps me move forward into my day, week or month.
Three words that describe how you feel after you practice your favourite self-care rituals?
Lighter, energised and more positive.
How do you prioritise carving out the time for your own self care?
I see it as a necessity, it's marked in my calendar, its part of my life and my job to take care of myself.
We know you are a big fan of Nunaïa – is skincare a part of your own daily self-care ritual? What are the beauty rituals you swear by?
I adore Nunaïa and all its offerings, I feel its a very special brand. Skincare is a massive part of my self care rituals, usually in the evening time it gets more focus. As an actress, I've chosen to age without intervention and that can be challenging so skincare is really important to me.
Cleansing is so important, not just removing make up but I feel like I'm cleansing the day that has been, be it good, bad or indifferent. I'm cleansing away the impurities to help me sleep better and feel renewed.
Does your skincare ritual influence your overall wellbeing?
Yes, if my skin and hair haven't been cleansed and renewed properly, I don't feel ready for the day ahead and that has a knock on effect on my whole day.
Your Nunaia desert-island product?
It has to be the Nunaia superfood cleansing balm. The smell alone helps me unwind, it is an incredible product, so soothing.
We make products in a unique way— using whole plants that build a connection with the skin and soul that you can't get from synthetic ingredients. We know you are passionate about living wild and free and spending time in nature. Can you tell us more about why you think connection to nature in all its forms is a connection back to ourselves?
Nature heals us. We seem to have lost our connection to the Great Mother and at the same time lost our way. Being in nature brings about calm, clarity and connection, it literally balances our brain chemistry. Everything we need is all around us all the time, if only we had the eyes to see. Nature is like the most patient mother, waiting for us to realise and re-learn what is naturally ours. Once more people start to tune back in to nature, the world will become a different place.
What would be your advice to others that are curious about self-care rituals but don't practice a regular ritual?
Curiosity is key, experimenting and finding what works for them and their lives.
We are big fans of your Live Wild Podcast Hilary and your quest to live wild and free in our modern world. What projects are you working on at the moment and where can we learn more?
The Live Wild podcast grows from strength to strength and hopefully helps listeners on their journey, whatever that may look like and I'm so proud of that. There are always acting projects on the go but as always I'm sworn to secrecy!
Aside from that, my work has segued into speaking for corporate events, all about my decades of experience on camera, gender equality and my favourite topic that I like to call Radical Rest! The speaking world has opened up new thought processes and ways of being onstage to communicate messages and I'm really enjoying it.
WELLNESS WISDOM
Your favourite place to go to find a moment of calm and tranquility?
The woods.
Your favourite book, podcast, or music playlist that helps you unwind?
The Live Wild podcast!!!!
Top tip to restore instant balance
Tuning into and slowing down the breath.
Top tip for building self-care into your day?
Schedule it into your calendar.
Learn more about Hilary Rose's offerings @livewildpodcast and @thehilaryrose and catch the Live Wild Podcast here.
Listen back to the Live Wild Podcast Season 1 Episode with our Founder Nicola Connolly here where Nicola shares her personal journey, her leaps of faith, the wonders of the natural world and most importantly knowing oneself.
Shop Hilary Rose's favourite ritual skincare here
