A Morning with Storm + India
We chat with India Bellamy, co-founder of the tea and wellness brand Storm + India. We discuss all things morning routine and India gives us her top tips and must-haves for a successful start to her day.
What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning?
Each morning I wake up around 6.00am with the birds singing. When I’m fasting, the first thing I do is make myself a Storm + India Detox Morning tea. I’ve gotten really into fasting this year which has been a game-changer for my mental and physical health. If I’m not fasting, I’ll make a Storm + India Matcha Latte with homemade almond milk and our delicious Zen Honey. It’s my favourite – literally happiness in a cup.
What are your favourite rituals for the rest of the morning?
Depending on what time I’m up, I turn on our bright light – it wakes me up for the day. Then I take my tea into the shower and head outside for a walk with my dog Winston to catch the morning light. An hour-long walk around our farm sets me up for a great day! Winston’s in his happy place with a ball thrower and an endless supply of tennis balls. I’m lucky I get to pass paddocks of cows and wander along the farm to the wetlands to see the black swans. I love to listen to podcasts on rotation: right now I’m loving Huberman Lab, Goop, Mel Robbins and Gabby Bernstein.
How do you prioritise self-care or wellness in your morning routine?
Prioritising self-care can be really difficult, especially when you have a lot going on and a business to run. Luckily it’s something I’ve gotten better at – especially with age. I find my non-negotiable morning routine sets me up for great days. If I have a busy day ahead or a really early start, I’ll just get up earlier so I have time to put into myself. I think that’s key: you need to almost set up a ‘date’ with yourself.
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I really need moments to myself in the morning because my days are very full.
I really need moments to myself in the morning because my days are very full.
Do you have any advice or tips for others who are looking to optimise their morning routine, especially in terms of wellness and self-care?
Wake up earlier and exercise! As soon as your alarm goes off, get up. Mel Robbins has a three-second rule which I follow – so I count “1, 2, 3” and then get up. The night before, meal prep is a great tool that sets you up for healthy eating. I find if I don’t eat well, everything falls apart, so having meals and snacks ready to go is essential. Chia pudding or organic eggs and green vegetables are super quick and easy go-to breakfasts. Again, I recommend almost setting a date with yourself in the morning – even if it’s just 15 minutes.
What is one aspect of your morning routine that you find essential for starting your day on a positive note?
I really need moments to myself in the morning because my days are very full, so I need to be outside in nature and exercising. Plus, I love the little things - making my bed, enjoying a delicious cup of organic tea, having a shot of collagen elixir and maintaining a holistic skincare routine. My mum always used Dr Hauschka and Weleda organic products on Storm and myself as babies. I love the Dr Hauschka Quince Day Cream and Moor Lavender Essence that I use in the shower. The aroma and breathwork take me out of my head for a few minutes. It’s pure bliss.
