May 01, 2020
MY EVERYDAY RITUALS
By Eva Alexandridis
Being in tune with my mind, body and spirit has always been something that I have practised and actively sought out in my daily routine. There are principles that I follow everyday but now more than ever, I believe it is important to look after ourselves and one another both physically and mentally. Whilst I have harnessed what works best for me, I am using this time to engage with my sons and teach them the importance of these rituals in order to seek harmony, peace and gratitude.
For the mind, I think it is important to keep the mind as active and as productive as possible. Whilst we can spend our time focusing or worrying about what is around us or try and solve work related queries, it is important to switch your focus onto more uplifting and productive thought processes. As a family, we like to play memory and educational games, our current favourite being Brainbox – it is a quiz game that comes in many topics but we love the most History and Geography. Training you to be alert as well as expanding your own general knowledge, it is a great way to switch off from the everyday.
Similarly, is Perudo, a dice game that not only is engaging but involves mastering the skills of not showing emotions and holding your poker face. Another fond favourite has to be Duolingo, I enjoy learning and conversing in other languages and with our spare time we are currently learning to speak Spanish, 20 minutes every day and it feels as though you are in school again. If I am busy with work or working late into the evening, my husband and sons’ bond over learning to play poker.
For the body, we actively worked out before self-isolation but now more than ever we maximise the hour we have outdoors to workout and look after both our health and wellbeing. Raising two boys who are both usually extremely active in school means that we have to keep them preoccupied and engaged in exercise in other ways. We would either take them for a 40-minute run and then finish off with a 20-minute session in the park that will involve a quick circuit completed with jumping jacks, push ups etc. If we were to take a day off from running, then we would swap this out with a bike ride or home workout videos together. Exercise has so many greater benefits than just the physical and for my own wellness, it gives me clarity and energy. I firmly believe that I am happier and have a surge of creative ideas after my workouts and seeing my children also enjoying it gives me a sense of pleasure.
For the soul, this focus has probably been the most important to me whilst we deal with this worldwide crisis. I have been spending my time focusing on charitable donations and helping the NHS in any way that I can that will support their time at work or help them heal and wind down off-duty. As a skin company created by a surgeon we knew from the beginning what we wanted to do to ass kist the health care workers. Providing them with skincare was a way for us to bring a little joy but also help them with the deteriorating condition of their skin from waring masks during long shifts, Seeing their hard work and dedication gives me the drive to keep on going even when we are dealing with financial crises and business restructures.
All the hard work that went into building this company in the last 10 years now gives me a chance to give back and it feels really rewarding for me to know that creating a business is an opportunity to not just to hire and promote talented people but to create products that help people with their self-esteem and also to give back to the community.
For the heart, focusing more on the little tokens and gestures and this can simply be hugging my husband when he least expects it, having a movie night with my sons, squeezing the hand of my youngest, doing karaoke with my oldest or encouraging the boys to spend virtual time with their grandparents in Greece and Bulgaria. Life is precious and so I encourage everyone to cherish the smallest moments you can and encourage communication and conversation whilst isolating.
For the spirit, I seek God and prayer, built into my childhood and my roots, my mum is a very strong believer in God. From growing up within a communist regime where religion was forbidden and in fact prosecuted against, we were forced to pray in private. As the regime collapsed, I was baptised at 17 with a small ceremony that then allowed me to revive old traditions. I still attend church when I go home to Bulgaria and Greece and with my boys were christened from a very young age, we make it a habit to celebrate festivities, harness the power of the positive spirit and pray in the comfort of our home.
Evolving from this, I not only pray to God, but I also believe in the power and spirit of nature. On my runs through Battersea Park every morning I spend time in front of “my tree”, at the core of the trunk there is heart shape that bulges from the root and it sticks out to me as a moment of clarity, energy and importance. At this spot I place my hands upon the heart and thank nature for the life and wisdom it gives us. In these uncertain times, it has been even more meaningful for me to see the tree and express my gratitude. It reminds me of the importance of seasons and how we must evolve, change and become wise and patient all at the same time.
MY EVERYDAY RITUALS
By: Eva Alexandridis
Being in tune with my mind, body and spirit has always been something that I have practised and actively sought out in my daily routine. There are principles that I follow everyday but now more than ever, I believe it is important to look after ourselves and one another both physically and mentally. Whilst I have harnessed what works best for me, I am using this time to engage with my sons and teach them the importance of these rituals in order to seek harmony, peace and gratitude.
For the mind, I think it is important to keep the mind as active and as productive as possible. Whilst we can spend our time focusing or worrying about what is around us or try and solve work related queries, it is important to switch your focus onto more uplifting and productive thought processes. As a family, we like to play memory and educational games, our current favourite being Brainbox – it is a quiz game that comes in many topics but we love the most History and Geography. Training you to be alert as well as expanding your own general knowledge, it is a great way to switch off from the everyday.
Similarly, is Perudo, a dice game that not only is engaging but involves mastering the skills of not showing emotions and holding your poker face. Another fond favourite has to be Duolingo, I enjoy learning and conversing in other languages and with our spare time we are currently learning to speak Spanish, 20 minutes every day and it feels as though you are in school again. If I am busy with work or working late into the evening, my husband and sons’ bond over learning to play poker.
For the body, we actively worked out before self-isolation but now more than ever we maximise the hour we have outdoors to workout and look after both our health and wellbeing. Raising two boys who are both usually extremely active in school means that we have to keep them preoccupied and engaged in exercise in other ways. We would either take them for a 40-minute run and then finish off with a 20-minute session in the park that will involve a quick circuit completed with jumping jacks, push ups etc. If we were to take a day off from running, then we would swap this out with a bike ride or home workout videos together. Exercise has so many greater benefits than just the physical and for my own wellness, it gives me clarity and energy. I firmly believe that I am happier and have a surge of creative ideas after my workouts and seeing my children also enjoying it gives me a sense of pleasure.
For the soul, this focus has probably been the most important to me whilst we deal with this worldwide crisis. I have been spending my time focusing on charitable donations and helping the NHS in any way that I can that will support their time at work or help them heal and wind down off-duty. As a skin company created by a surgeon we knew from the beginning what we wanted to do to asskist the health care workers. Providing them with skincare was a way for us to bring a little joy but also help them with the deteriorating condition of their skin from waring masks during long shifts, Seeing their hard work and dedication gives me the drive to keep on going even when we are dealing with financial crises and business restructures.
All the hard work that went into building this company in the last 10 years now gives me a chance to give back and it feels really rewarding for me to know that creating a business is an opportunity to not just to hire and promote talented people but to create products that help people with their self-esteem and also to give back to the community.
For the heart, focusing more on the little tokens and gestures and this can simply be hugging my husband when he least expects it, having a movie night with my sons, squeezing the hand of my youngest, doing karaoke with my oldest or encouraging the boys to spend virtual time with their grandparents in Greece and Bulgaria. Life is precious and so I encourage everyone to cherish the smallest moments you can and encourage communication and conversation whilst isolating.
For the spirit, I seek God and prayer, built into my childhood and my roots, my mum is a very strong believer in God. From growing up within a communist regime where religion was forbidden and in fact prosecuted against, we were forced to pray in private. As the regime collapsed, I was baptised at 17 with a small ceremony that then allowed me to revive old traditions. I still attend church when I go home to Bulgaria and Greece and with my boys were christened from a very young age, we make it a habit to celebrate festivities, harness the power of the positive spirit and pray in the comfort of our home.
Evolving from this, I not only pray to God, but I also believe in the power and spirit of nature. On my runs through Battersea Park every morning I spend time in front of “my tree”, at the core of the trunk there is heart shape that bulges from the root and it sticks out to me as a moment of clarity, energy and importance. At this spot I place my hands upon the heart and thank nature for the life and wisdom it gives us. In these uncertain times, it has been even more meaningful for me to see the tree and express my gratitude. It reminds me of the importance of seasons and how we must evolve, change and become wise and patient all at the same time.
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.