Sally Halstead is the Spa and Programme Manager of COMO Shambhala Estate.
Sally Halstead is the Spa and Programme Manager of COMO Shambhala Estate.
Sally is a qualified nurse who has worked in acute care settings including Emergency Department and Intensive Care in both the UK and Australia. She has a background in complimentary therapies including Reiki, reflexology, crystal healing and aromatherapy. Sally is a certified colon Hydrotherapist.
Find inspiration as we talk to Sally Halstead in our #StrongHealthyWomen interview.
Hi Sally! Thank you for being part of the Health and Fitness Travel, Strong, Healthy Women Interview Series, where we are shining a light on the importance of self-care, not as an indulgence but a necessity to reduce stress and general health issues.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you and what does that look like?
With three boys and managing the wellness at COMO Shambhala Estate there is no typical day for me, however, I have my set routines that are non-negotiable so that I can make it through the day!
I wake early naturally every day between 05.00 and 06.00 and that is my own sacred time. I drink water, do tongue scraping and oil pulling. Then I exercise, running on the local field with/ out my partner and boys, or I do HIIT or weights, followed by a yoga stretch out. Then I do a morning guided- meditation to set the right intentions for my day. Sometimes I am intermittent fasting, and sometimes I will eat breakfast, which would be very simple, avocado and sweet potato with an oil, salt and pepper usually.
I drop the boys to school then go to work. Working at COMO Shambhala Estate the flagship property of the COMO group and dedicated wellness retreat affords me an amazing environment. Each day I try to walk the stunning jungle-based property, join a Pilates class or hydrotherapy session. Our staff canteen is probably one of the most healthful in the world; we have a variety of vegetable dishes from local produce, great quality tempeh or tofu, and small amounts of meat, with red rice on the side. Whilst at my desk I’m wearing my headphones with binaural beats on to keep my brain activity in a productive but calm zone.
Evenings usually consist of playing cards or games with the family, a light dinner, a self-facial with a rose quartz roller or jade tool and good quality organic products, and then just before bed I do a gratitude and manifestation practice with visualisation that carries into my sleep world.
Can you share a time when you felt your well-being was challenged in the past and what did you overcome it?
I was divorced a year and a half ago and things were rocky with my ex-husband around three years before. It had a profound effect on my health and I developed GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder) where my bile was moving up into my stomach causing discomfort and difficulties with eating, digesting and other processes. It was an unknown area for me, and for the first time ever I truly understood that stress really caused physical ailments to manifest.
In tandem, I consulted a gastro specialist and my wellness expert colleagues at the Estate. The conventional medicine approach was helpful in diagnosis, but their solution was chemical medicines so I declined. My Oriental Medicine and Ayurvedic doctors both told me to deal with my stress first, so I learned deep relaxation techniques, meditation practices and breathing exercises, and this healed me.
What does being healthy mean to you and how do you keep this at the forefront when life gets unavoidably busy?
Being healthy is being able to manage everyday life with relative ease and grace most of the time. It is easy to coin, but not always easy to do. Life is very busy, which is fine, but without meaning, it becomes empty. Gratitude keeps me grounded for this life experience, which sometimes feels overwhelming and emotionally difficult.
I find meaning in many places, including in raising my boys to be decent human beings who will contribute positively to society, in being a good partner and supporting my partner’s evolution and allowing him to do the same for me, and in being a good wellness manager and helping facilitate my guest’s wellness journeys. These acts of service provide reward and feelings of satisfaction, purpose and ultimately contribute to my health, along with my non-negotiables.
Have you ever taken a holiday specifically for your well-being? Can you share what the experience was like?
Nature settings feed me, so camping is one way of restoring myself. Watching sunset and sunrise re-sets hormonal cycles and home cooking on a barbecue grill, grilled veggies and some simple meat cuts, combined with a big salad, is super nourishing to me. Hiking trails and sitting by the lake both help my mind to unwind. Sitting and meditating on the sky at night further puts me in tune with nature and I love to analyse the stars positions and tap into the moon and its’ cycle.
I also take weekend trips to the coast and do long beach walks, get a little sun exposure (with proper protection), and do breathing exercises near the sea to make the most of inhaling the ionised salt-air. Swimming in the sea is great, supported exercise, and the magnesium levels in the water help to contribute to a refreshing nap in the middle of the day, or a deep, restorative sleep at night.
Every woman’s idea of self-care is different, tell us about yours?
For me self-care is about ensuring enough of my energy goes to me and my needs and goals, which generates the energy for me to use on others. I try to have good energetic boundaries and be conscious about how much time I spend on myself and on others. I try to notice when I am overextending and outputting and need recharging and more input.
Things I do to get back on track include taking an extra day off work and having a spa day, a well-executed massage helps to open up tight muscles and release tension, and I respond really well to energy work too, like acupuncture. I also love to go to the Pyramids of Chi in Ubud for an amazing sound healing experience.
Living in Bali and having a Balinese partner means I enjoy tapping into the spiritual side of life. Self-care sometimes means going to a water temple and doing a traditional ritual purification ceremony, to wash away negativity and instill calm.
Finally, I believe shopping can be included in self-care. Purchases include clothes, perfume and makeup for self-esteem and home products for a luxurious and comfort feel, like organic essential oil candles.
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