The Therapy Edit - One Thing with Nicola Elliot on creating your unique wellbeing toolkit

Episode Date: March 1, 2024

In this Friday guest episode of The Therapy Edit, Anna chats to founder of the wellbeing brand, NEOM, Nicola Elliot about her One Thing; adopting a flexible approach to your wellbeing and creating your own unique toolkit.Nicola Elliott is the founder of NEOM - a British wellbeing brand which harnesses the powers of 100% natural essential oils to help boost your wellbeing. After spending seven hectic years working a 60-hour week as a journalist in London, Nicola really started to feel the effects of a fast-paced life - poor sleep, increased stress and low energy and mood. It was this that kickstarted her own wellbeing journey and led her to create therapeutic and effective blends using 100% natural essential oils from her own kitchen. In 2005, NEOM was born. Launching with five aromatherapy candles, they were one of the first on the market to be made with only 100% naturally derived wax and 100% natural essential oils. With an ethos of ‘small steps, big difference’, NEOM is all about the little things we can do throughout our day to help have a big impact on the four main pillars of wellbeing… better sleep, less stress, more energy and a lifted mood. Since then, NEOM’s product line has grown to now include an impressive collection of home fragrance products including their iconic Wellbeing Pod and reed diffusers as well as bath and body essentials and skincare too - all with an aim to have something for every mood and moment in your day. Today, Nicola remains at the forefront of the brand as founder overseeing the day-to-day running and creative storytelling to continue NEOM’s mission of supercharging the wellbeing of the world. Keeping her finger very much on the pulse when it comes to education and trends, Nicola loves nothing more than testing and trying the latest wellbeing must-haves. Her approach to wellbeing is refreshingly real and achievable. Follow Nicola on Instagram here.Buy her brand new book; The Four Ways to Wellbeing, here Visit NEOM to see the full product range here.

Hello and welcome to The Therapy Edit with me, psychotherapist, mum of three and author Anna Martha. Every Friday, I invite one guest to tell me the one thing they would most like to share with mums everywhere. So join with me as we hear this dose of wisdom. I hope you enjoy it. Hi, everyone. Welcome to today's guest episode of The Therapy Edit. I'm really excited about today's guests. we have already been chatting away.

I have Nicola Elliott. Now, Nicola Elliott is the founder of Neum, a brand of which I am a massive fan, and I've already been telling her how all of my books were actually written to the scent of a neon candle or a diffuser. And I've got all that kind of neon products dotted around my house. And for me, lighting the candle in the pandemic, it was a really powerful way of creating myself a little bit of space when I couldn't get away. So after spending seven hectic years working a 60-hour week as a journalist in London, Nicholas

started to feel the effects of a fast-paced life. I think many of us can relate to that. She kick-started her own well-being journey and led her to create therapeutic and very effective blends from her own kitchen. And in 2005, Neum was born. And they launched with five aromatherapy candles. And they're all about, and this is a huge passion that underpins everything that I do as well is the little things that we can do throughout our day that have a massive impact on things like sleep, stress, energy and mood. And then since then their product line has grown to include things like home fragrance, the wellbeing pod diffuses. I've got one for my car and skincare too. And also in January, I will let her talk in a moment, but I've got to

fill you in on this because it's so exciting. Her book, The Four Ways to Wellbeing, by Neom founder, Nicola is going to be out. And it's all about better sleep, less stress, more energy and how to beat your mood. Yes, please, on all fronts. And these are the four pillars of well-being. And who better place to show you how to achieve each of them than Nicola herself? So yeah, equally passionate about those little moments, whether you've got 30 seconds or 30 minutes. In that bit, you will find simple tips and tricks that will suit your lifestyle and help you feel better than ever the neon way. So, Nicola, hello.

Hello. That sounds like a big promise, actually, when you read it out, doesn't it? It does sound. But, you know, I think it's going to be substantiated because, you know, you and I know, and I think both equally passionate about how life-changing, these things that we can often overlook and think, oh, that's just so small, it won't make a difference.

But we know that over time these things are getting, I've got a water bottle by my side here and that was one of my little things once was to drink more water and years later I have way less headaches, more energy and it's a sign of care and respect for myself. So these little things make a big difference, don't they? I think the little things often start a wave, don't they? So I think I'm not diminishing the little things on their own because I think those little things are hugely important. But simultaneously, I think if you're going to start drinking water in your example, then the chances are the next thing might be you'll get out and have a walk for 15

minutes during the day or you might start teaching yourself how to make some, you know, immune sort of nourishing soups or something. So I think it sort of is twofold. Yes, it's kind of really owning and enhancing those micro moments during the day. But also, hopefully, it's starting you on a path to creating a bit of a toolkit that works for your lifestyle. Yeah, kind of like building, building on it and adding to these things and kind of expanding on them and yeah, you just realise it's, it's worth those moments of effort and discipline and. Yeah, exactly. I think, you know, as you say, I'm sort of passionate about the

small moments being really championed, but I'm also really very much about people really feeling inspired to create a well-being toolkit. And I think, you know, there's a balance between saying to people that well-being toolkit needs to be very bespoke and needs to change, dependent on where you are in your life and how you feel and what time of year it is, etc. But also giving people some guidance as to where to start because, you know, the word well-being now has become a really big word. And that's brilliant in many ways because people are asking the question and wanting to get involved and understanding the importance of looking after themselves, yet I still think we find an awful lot of people need some help with

how they start creating that toolkit. And that was the idea behind the book. It was sort of to simultaneously say, okay, this is where you start. This is how we define it. These four pillars, the sleep, the distress, you know, your energy and your mood. These are the things within that that we sort of think you should be addressing, but then also giving people license to make that work for them. You don't like that soup. Fine. You don't like doing. you know, running, that's fine. You, you know, you want to go to bed at 10 and not seven. That's also fine. So giving them that fluidity whilst also providing some sort of framework so people can, you know, take that and move forward. And of course, it's not just my, it's not just my voice.

To be, to be clear, we've been lucky at Neum to build a platform, which is, you know, the biggest, the biggest well-being brand with, you know, millions of people engaged. And so because of that, I've been lucky enough to interview so many experts across the world, not just the UK, but across the world. So for me, bringing all of their advice together and putting it down, not one person, I don't think, can give you advice on this subject, but bits, but it's not the best place just to go to one person, surely. It's a bounce of harnessing all that advice. So there's a huge amount of information that I think have cherry-picked to be the most interesting, useful, but also doable information. Yeah. I think that's it, isn't it? Yeah, that sounds like a real rich collection of lots of different recommendations and insights so that people can kind of pick and choose and try and find out what fits for them.

Because if it fits for us, we're more likely to actually. live it out, aren't we? Otherwise, it's, I guess, it'll probably more likely fall by the wayside if it isn't the right fit for what we love. I mean, if it's something you don't want to do and it feels like sort of taking a pill or something at the end of the day, you're not going to stick to it or you are going to stick to it. It's not going to make you happy. So for me, a sort of non-negotiable, maybe this is sort of, this is definitely something I champion a bit more as I get older is if you're not going to enjoy it, but you know, most of it,

you're not going to do it. So you let's make it nice. Do you know what to me? So there's a big doll. Yeah. Yeah. So before I ask you the big question of what's the one thing you want to share with everyone, I'm just so intrigued.

What's your favourite of the neon scents? Like, what do you lean to us? Or do you literally kind of pick depending on how you're feeling? Yeah. What do you? I'm just. I get asked this more than anything. Really?

Yeah, honestly. Well, that and how did you start? Yeah. They're the two main questions. And I get it. But the whole concept of the essential oils is that your body, your brain, the front part of your brain is going to be attracted, I like the essential oils that it needs at any one time. And if that doesn't work, then the whole brand's kind of not working. So we're not a scent brand that you would go, so I love, you know, there'll be bits, there'll be fragrances that sometimes you absolutely love because you need. And then there'll be ones that you don't. And even me, it's funny because, you know, we're constantly testing new blends and

because we're natural, we have to test every time as a new harvest of lavender or orange or whatever it may be. Wow. And we're constantly, and I'm only ever burning tester candles or using tester products. I see. Never the, never the finish things. So we're constantly testing each new batch. And when, and often, I'm like, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not having a problem with sleep right now. You're not feeling that one. Yeah, exactly. I remember when I was pregnant, So I really, I do not need anything sort of that's energy boosting at all. And so we had to test those products. So the fact is I will at certain times of the year, month, my life, be attracted to certain

fragrances. I generally feel in the winter months, I tend to be more interested in them, more kind of cocooning fragrances. So real luxury is a really good one for me. I just felt a bit more anxious, actually. it this time of year, maybe because I'm downs a bit more, you know, my mood's not as good as it would be. So then that kind of makes me need a bit more comforting, sort of we call a luxury else of cash me a blanket of the collection. I generally find that in the summer,

I like the more energising fragrances. So I do think seasonally, I see a pattern having done this 18 years, that it changes. I sleep quite well in the winter. So, again, less needing of the sleep-inducing fragrances. So, yeah, I think it's definitely a seasonal thing. Yeah, but that's really in line with what the book's about, though, isn't it? It's kind of becoming a bit more intuitive into what is right for you and what you need and just kind of listening to, listening to, you know, what am I gravitating to us? What am I lacking?

What am I needing today to nurture myself? You said something when we were chatting before and, you know, it's testimonials. like this that kind of make me think, yeah, we've done it right. When you said your three children are now getting to the point where they will choose different. Yeah, they love it. Yeah, and not only is that great because I think our brand message is getting across, but how amazing that the impact of your children understanding in that way. And by the way, of course, hopefully that will be a spiral for them understanding there's things they can do, small things they can do, that means they can have control over starting their mood off on a different journey

or controlling their stress or giving themselves energy. And again, as they grow up, if they can build on that by going, and therefore I will eat this today, and therefore I will do that today. It's like that for me is worth 20 of me gifting, you know, backstage at some awards ceremony and a celebrity walking off with the bag. I'm not interested in that. They're the testimonials that really mean. we've we've done what we set out to do. Amazing. So Nicola, I would love to ask you,

although I've got a feeling we've probably touched on it already. What is the one thing that you would love to share with all the mums listening? Well, it is very much about saying to yourself, committing to yourself that you're going to create a well-being toolkit that works for you. And I think the idea is that that should be flexible, you know, I know that we all love this idea that there'll be a sidebar in a magazine that says these are the five things that you can do. And I get that. You know, everyone wants that easy, prescriptive thing. And that's why I think I set up by going, okay, fine, let's start with four pillars. Because if you can sort of work on those, then at least you've got some

framework. But I think just the permission for you to be flexible with how that looks and how that works. You know, some people sleep brilliantly seven and a half hours a night. Other people need 10. The 11 Golden Rules that we worked on with Nick Whitten last year. It's very different. We always talk about eight hours sleep. That's not the case. Some people at seven and a half, we work in cycles. Some people it's 10. Some people need to take, you know, X amount of supplements. Other people absolutely don't. So you have to be open to trying and take a while. You know, this could take you all of 24. It could take you longer. It probably will take you longer. But commit to just trying these things for a while.

and seeing what works, what you like, and what makes you feel better, rather than thinking, well, I tried that one thing and it didn't work. So there needs to be a toolkit. It roughly needs to consist of the pillars, but then try all the bits and pieces within there. So you get to a point where you have something that nourishes your life. It's not by any means a to-do list. It's stuff that you love, that works for you,

that materially makes you feel better. That's what I would say. Yeah, so try those different things and see what fits for you. And what has been some of your learnings along the way with this as you've implemented this in your own life? Have you kind of switch them up? Have you found some things that actually they only serve you for a time? And is there something that you've kind of really held onto and that is kind of like an ongoing fixture? A bit of both really. I think some real non-negotiables for me that probably I've really crystallized in 23 were getting out in sunlight early. The learnings that we found from

the sleep study that we did about your circadian rhythm being kickstarted once you see light. And by the way, you know, we're talking on a very miserable morning today, that light, you're still going to get the effects of the UV light, the back of the retina, which is going to kickstart your circadian rhythm, i.e. your body clock, i.e. that means you're going to sleep better. You're still going to get that's effect if it's a miserable day. So still get out there. Don't worry about it being bright sunshine. That's a big difference for me. Walking in weights, you know, all of the amazing evidence about doing weights, certainly for over 40s, over 35s is now is incredible. And I think for living your best physical life, weights is hugely important. So I do that alongside

walking. Eating is massive, of course, and making sure that you eat a variety. of foods, I think that's kind of, that's becoming more that the evidence, the linking of that evidence to gut health and the variety of different plants that you're getting into your body is big. So I try and mix that up by having a organic box, but putting different things in each week. So that's been a big one for me. I do take supplements, but I think there's an awful a lot of Wild West brands out there when it comes to supplements. I really, really do. I think everyone's jumping on that bandwagon. I really rate wild nutrition, bear biology. Those brands, I think, are particularly good. Amiga-3s is kind of, you know,

something that most of us need for brain health. Magnesium is something that the vast, vast majority of us are deficient in, and it's required in about 360 bodily functions, and you can't overdose on magnesium. So I take that in a pill format, but I also, use magnesium body butter from Neum and in the bath as well. So I'm magnesium up in a major, major way. I really love the fact that, and I'm happy with the fact that I'm a bit of a homebird now. So I'm just kind of very true to myself. I journal. I think that's hugely important. And people can get put off that by going, oh, I don't want to write a diary. Journaling could actually be just really, you know, your to-do list on steroids as much as it could be. Take the pressure off.

Yeah. Yeah, for it to look a certain way. Yeah, but you get cortisol out of your body either by running and sweating it out or by talking or writing it down. So it hugely has an impact for me on me not ruminating on thoughts. I could go on, Anna, but they're... No, I love these ideas and I'm nodding, like furiously thinking how much so many of these practices have changed my life, you know, ended up to, yeah, make such a difference

over, over recent years as well. So you've given people loads of ideas. there too. It's just another testimony, isn't it, to just exploring what's right for you, thinking about just, yeah, tuning into what that need is and what that might look like. And sometimes we do just need to have a load of different ideas. And it sounds like, you know, the book is so grounded in kind of research and wisdom and knowledge so that when you're trying these things out, you're absolutely not wasting a moment. You're trying out things that really known to support and benefit you in some way so that you can find what that might look

like for you. So thank you. Thank you so much for filling my home and my bath and my books with your amazing sense. But I would love to finish off with some quick five questions as a month of teens. So you're in a very different kind of parenting space to me. We're chatting about different. I am. Different that looks, weren't we? So I'd love to know in the challenge of parenting teenagers, what's a high for you at the moment in the parenting? My daughter and I ride horses together. And she's going on 14.

And I think if you can harness some sort of hobby, even if it's, I don't know, a cinema thing once a month when they're younger, I would really recommend that because it becomes something you can go back to. And so I would say looking back on when my children were your age, I think making sure that those sort of, and as again, it could be a couple of times a week, it could be, you know, a couple of times a year, but making sure you've got something that's just you and them. And by the way, I don't think that needs to be a partner, but something that you and them can do that hopefully, you know, you can revisit when you're 65 and 85, maybe not horse riding, but we can go.

at them then, right? It's something you would definitely look back and encourage because for now, when they're a teenager, it keeps a bond between you that otherwise I think just slips away much quicker than you think. Oh, that is such a good tip and I'm already having a little think about what those things might be. My mum and I always just went on walks. We were a little. I used to not always enjoy it, to be honest, felt like I was getting dragged out of the house. But actually, we still do it now and we always get lost.

Yeah, exactly. Or it would be, you know, a hot chocolate afternoon. Yeah, yeah, just a thing. Yeah, exactly. You know, we always have one month our film where the door shut and there's a bowl, pop, something, but I think it needs, yeah, exactly. Amazing. No, thank you.

I think you'll be getting everyone's brains wearing. So thank you so much, Nicola. I'm really excited to get my hands on your new book, which is out. January. So it probably will be about to be out or out when this podcast is published. And it's called The Four Ways. And you've got a beautiful copy. I'm excited to have. Yeah. Oh, what an amazing thing to have to written. I appreciate it. And all your support. It's not a, it's not an easy feat and all those voices that you've, you've gathered within it. It's just going to be a gift. So the four ways to well-being by Leon. Hopefully it helps for your moms. And hopefully it's kind of a bit of a

being its tone of voice, but also, you know, we all get it wrong. We do. We do. We do. So I think just helping and chivying each other on is what it's all about. So thank you very much for having me. Well, thank you. Thank you for joining us.

Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of The Therapy. And if you have enjoyed it, don't forget to subscribe and review for me. Also, if you need any resources at all, I have lots of videos and courses and everything from health anxiety to driving anxiety and people pleasing nail all on my website anamatha.com. And also don't forget my brand new book Raising a Happier Mother is out now for you to enjoy and benefit from. It's all about how to find balance, feel good and see your children flourish as a result. Speak to you soon.