With the rush of modern life comes the increasingly arduous task of finding that golden balance between rest and running around. Our Golden Balance series picks the brains of the busiest women about town, many who run their own businesses and strive to make the most of every minute. Scroll down to hear about Qnola founder Danielle Copperman's non-negotiables when it comes to achieving equilibrium in mind, body and soul.
How do you find your daily source of golden balance?
By drinking lots of water, tonics with adaptogens (to help handle on-going stress), eating natural and functional foods, being in nature, meditation (when I can), yoga daily and surrounding myself with both supportive and grounding people as much as possible.
How important is self-care to you, and do you often implement it into your regular rituals?
So important and yet I rarely make time for it although it is always on my conscience. I try to take time to appreciate myself, my work and my achievements and to really schedule in time for proper pampering, but I rarely make time. Daily, eating and drinking well is second nature to me, so I guess these are my daily doses of self-care. I also love aromatherapy and use essential oils and natural homemade balms which instil clarity and a sense of content and calm. When I do take more time, a soak in a mineral-rich bath with detoxifying clays, a good long session of body brushing, some journaling or manifesting and doing something I truly enjoy is my idea of self-caring.
Share with us a quote that gives you daily inspiration.
I have notes and documents of my favourite quotes and each one resonates with me at different times. For years, 'there is no right way' and 'everything happens for a reason' have helped me stay grounded and faithful through many things. Currently, 'it takes a good imagination to convince yourself things are so wrong' has helped me through the worries and fears that I've recently realised have been holding me back from doing certain things.
We know nourishment from the inside out is fundamental to you. How do you practice this every day?
I eat only natural, unrefined and unprocessed foods - generally, whole ingredients kept just as nature intended. I don't live exclusively like this as balance and a healthy mental attitude towards food is just as important as having healthy habits, but I genuinely feel better and have better skin and more energy when I eat pure, natural foods with functionality and purposes to serve in and around the body.
What are some of your favourite ways to wind down?
Chilling and talking for hours with friends, family or my boyfriend, watching the stars, meditating, late-night yoga, yoga nidra or yin yoga, massage/self-massage, reading, writing, aromatherapy and listening to calming music.
Ingredients-wise, what are your three non-negotiables in the kitchen?
Fresh vegetables (avocado, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes), adaptogen powders (at the moment, he shou wu, ashwagandha, cacao, pine pollen, turmeric and maca) and always some form of seaweed (I love nori, arame and hijiki).
Now tell us, do you have a guilty pleasure?
Juice Baby's millionaire shortbreads, Hu Kitchens Coconut Crak, Miiro Ice Creams and Sodo organic pizza from time to time.
What is your favourite way to use turmeric, be it in your beauty regime or recipes?
I add it to smoothies, soups, juice it and take it as a shot or mix it with other adaptogens in tonics and teas.
Coffee or turmeric latte?
Turmeric latte - with extra turmeric and extra black pepper!