Hayley Peacock-Gower’s Self-Care Routine: “Self-care to me is about focus and good habits.”

Hayley Peacock-Gower is the Chief Marketing Officer at Aurora Expeditions, a company specialising in small-group adventure travel experiences to the Polar Regions and other wild and remote destinations.

What does self-care mean to you?

Self-care to me is about focus and good habits. During the week, as soon as I wake up, I jump out of bed. I find that a healthy morning routine sets the tone for a positive day.

For me, that is time in nature for an early sunrise walk, run, swim and then a cup of green tea. And in the summertime, I love to end the day at the beach for a walk/swim as the sun sets.

How do you know when you’re feeling stressed or burnt out?

I have a wonderfully busy life. My work is very busy, and I am a working parent with a very active kid. This is a juggle and challenging at times.

For me, it is about maximising my energy (exercise, sleep, healthy eating). Prioritisation is key, focusing on what really matters for myself and my family – having fun – and importantly knowing when to press pause –  or even just say no to things. 

Do you have a regular self-care routine? If so, what does it look like?

Self care to me is:

• A great morning routine
• Time in nature, exercise, and clean eating
• Sleep – lots of it.  And where possible, afternoon naps on the weekend
• Hydration & green tea – I’m obsessed with Japanese green tea (non-caffeine) and I drink it throughout the day

Making decisions that are good for you:

• Always make time for fun
• Knowing it is ok to indulge sometimes
• Knowing when to press pause

What bumps you off your self-care routine and how do you get back on course?

Global meetings on different time zones and especially business travel can sometimes throw off my routine just a little of course. Wherever I am, I always try to be outside as much as possible, take walks around, and find the best local food to eat. Your routine and habits need to be easy so you can just reset, refocus and get back on course. 

Where do you go for inspiration, ideas or tools for self-care?

I’m continually inspired by nature. There is something about being in nature that makes my heart beat faster and I just feel happy, despite what may be going on around me. There is beauty and simplicity to be found everywhere and I find I have some of the best thoughts when I am just out walking! 

Before you go…

Self-Care is a content series exploring the different self-care routines and habits of people from all walks of life. Get in touch with us today if you’d like to talk about your self-care routine.