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 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
