Hi Reader,
Earlier this week, I travelled up to the Lake District with my colleague to visit the venue for our retreat next year.
It was a long drive, but as soon as we arrived, we stepped out of the car and did exactly the same thing.
We stopped. We took a few deep breaths. The air was so fresh and soft, especially after hours on the road.
And within moments, something felt different.
That experience sparked an interesting conversation. Why do we often feel so much better when we arrive somewhere like this?
Partly, it's the surroundings, for sure; but I wonder whether it's also because we finally give ourselves a moment to stop.
A moment where nothing new is being asked of us.
No email to answer. No task to finish. No decision to make. Just a chance for the body and mind to catch up with what has already happened.
These moments already exist throughout the day.
After sending an email. After finishing lunch. After putting the children to bed. After completing a task.
The pause is already there. We often move past it before we notice it.
And often, at the other end of those small moments, we find exactly what we thought we were missing: a little more energy, a clearer head, and a greater sense of steadiness throughout the day.
This Week's Blog Post/Podcast
Which brings me to this week's blog post.
Summer has a way of encouraging us to do more, stay out longer, squeeze more into the day, and keep moving.
We want to feel light, vibrant, and full of energy.
Yet many people end up feeling tired, irritable, restless, overheated, or even washed out instead.
In Ayurveda, this is often a sign that Pitta is rising.
In this week's post, I share some simple ways to stay cool, sleep more comfortably, support your digestion, and enjoy the energy of summer without feeling depleted by it.
Read & Listen Here
One Small Thing This Week
Actually, I want to share two things.
They’re two of my favourite ways to cool down on warm summer evenings.
I know I’ve shared them before, but they’re worth repeating.
Rosewater eye pads
Spritz two cotton pads with rosewater and place them over your eyes when you go to bed.
It feels wonderfully cooling and refreshing, especially after a hot day or too much screen time.
Rosewater and castor oil scalp treatment
Mix equal parts rosewater and castor oil.
Using a cotton ball, dab it into the mixture and all over scalp and hair.
Place a towel over your pillow and leave it on overnight.
This is one of my favourite ways to cool and soothe the head before sleep, excellent for hair loss.
🌿 Pause & Reflect
This week, after you finish a meal, stay where you are for a moment longer.
Take two slow breaths before standing up.
Notice the pause between finishing one thing and beginning the next.
The body and mind need small spaces to catch up with what has just happened.
The pause is already there.
This week, see if you can notice it.
One Last Thing
If you’ve been thinking about joining Cook to Feel Steady, this is your final reminder.
Booking closes on Monday so everyone has time to receive the shopping list and get organised before we begin on Thursday.
Over five days, I’ll share one simple Ayurvedic meal each day, along with a short cooking video delivered straight to WhatsApp.
The aim is simple: a handful of nourishing meals you can return to whenever life feels busy and you want something that supports steady energy, digestion, and satisfaction.
If you’d like to join us, you can find all the details here.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
If this Sunday Read might be helpful for someone, you’re very welcome to share it with someone who might enjoy it.
💭 If you have a question, or there’s something you’d love me to explore in a future Sunday Read, you’re always welcome to let me know.
Here's to finding a little more space between one thing and the next.