Self-care will forever be our favourite hobby but we appreciate that recharging and putting yourself first looks different for everyone. Each week, we'll ask the celeb lot to share their ideal self-care Sunday routines, the hard-working beauty products they recommend to their friends and which TV show they're currently binging…
This week we’re talking to National Lottery-funded and reigning Paralympic Champion Lauren Steadman, who has competed in four Summer Paralympics - swimming and the paratriathlon. Lauren is off to her fifth Paralympics this year in Paris and we can't wait to see her absolutely smash it for ParalympicsGB.
Despite her busy training schedule, Lauren still sets aside time for her self-care routine - something she says is crucial for performing the best she can.
Lauren talks exclusively to heat about her skincare saviours, wellness wonders, and the beauty buys she can’t be without…
On self-care routines
What does a self-care day look like for the athlete?
“When it comes to self-care, I like to be quite a girly girl. I like to keep my nails on point and have my skincare and haircare routine. If I feel good in myself and like I’ve looked after myself, it just gives me a kick start to each day. As athletes, I think we get into this really bad routine of pushing away anything that isn’t performance-based stuff, but actually learning that 'Lauren the woman' is just as important as 'Lauren the athlete' has made a big difference for me.
"I have a big passion for cooking. So, I like to come home in the evening with all my ingredients and make something. When I’m not in heavy training, I'll have a little glass of white wine and have my music on. I like to just create new dishes and experiment.
"I also love to sit outside in the garden and do my paint-by-numbers- it’s my thing at the moment! I have a great one that I’m doing for my bedroom wall. I love my arts and crafts projects, so my next one will be a pom pom Christmas wreath. It’s good for me to have something crafty to focus on that takes my brain away from the rest of the day."
On skincare
"Skincare is something that I’ve only really started focusing on this year. I know I’m a little late to the game! I love all the Murad products, the Vita-C Glycolic Serum smells amazing, and I’ve been using it for a while now. It makes my skin feel great."
"Before bed, I use my Olay Retinol 24 Max night cream, which is great. I’m also getting into the retinol trend, so I have the L'Oreal ones. I’ll do the L'Oréal Paris 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Revitalift Serum in the morning and the [L'Oreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Night Serum]{href='https://www.boots.com/loreal-paris-revitalift-laser-pure-retinol-deep-antiwrinkle-night-serum-30ml-10292620' class='add-referrer-link'} in the evening."
"I use Garnier micellar water to help take off any makeup and then I’ll wash my face and use a Simple face scrub. With all the sport and training I do, my skin can take quite a beating so I like to let it breathe as much as possible and keep it hydrated with lots of moisturiser.
I can’t really wear full make-up on a day-to-day basis because of all my training, but I like to pop on my Garnier BB cream."
On daily wellness habits
"I have two dogs, so my favourite thing to do every morning, whether it’s raining or sunny, is go outside. I’ll have my coffee and then go out into the field and get some fresh air – it just helps get me up and out. I love seeing my dogs have fun outside, it brings me so much joy. It also allows me time to think about the day ahead of me, so it’s a great part of my morning routine."
On nighttime routines
"I start unwinding at about 9pm. I’ve started having cherry juice with a magnesium tablet an hour before bed. I’ve found that the magnesium doesn’t necessarily help me fall asleep quicker, but once I’m asleep, I’m down for the night until my alarm goes off in the morning.
"In previous years I’ve been a really light sleeper, so if the dog moved in the bed, I would hear it and wake up, but I don’t wake up at all when I’ve taken my magnesium."
"I have my Oura ring on my finger which helps me get the best sleep. It tells me when I’m in my deep state and it’s really been interesting to look at. It’s made me quite data-driven as I’m always checking it. Just having my little nighttime process of unwinding and being in bed by 10pm really helps me as I get up quite early in the mornings. I like to get a good eight hours. I swear by my silk pillowcases because I’ve got to keep looking after my hair!"
On hair care
"With all the swimming I do, my hair takes a real beating, so it’s a rarity for me to have it down. Luckily my sister is a hairdresser, so I get all my products from her. I’ve started oiling my hair and it’s been such a game changer. I’ll put rosemary oil in my hair before a run and tie it in a bun. Then I can just come home and wash it out. I’ve found that it really helps to nourish my hair."
On supplements
"I have my collagen in the morning. It’s a really nice powder that I put into some Greek yoghurt with honey. I’m really big on electrolytes at the moment with the warmer weather, too. I stayed with my sister at the weekend, and she doesn’t have electrolyte tablets, so I tried to make my own but I just got it completely wrong!
"I also have my whey protein – sometimes it’s the only thing that helps me get through a hard session. I freeze my bananas and add peanut butter, whey protein powder, blueberries and creatine. It’s so delicious."
On wise advice
"I've been lucky to have been around so many amazing people throughout my career who have offered me advice. For me, it’s so important to be in the moment a bit more. It’s about the journey, not the destination. I had really bad mental health last year because I was so fixated on what the outcome of Paris 2024 could be. But when I changed my mindset to focus on the journey of getting to Paris and making sure that when I look back at age 70, I know I’ll remember loving 2024, regardless of what the outcome was. Thinking like this has made me so much happier."
Quickfire round:
Go-to cuppa? I have my heartea an hour before bed to help me sleep. It’s the best.
Budget beauty buy? I always have my Palmers lip balm on me.
Go-to supplement? I love my magnesium from Healthspan Elite.
National Lottery players raise more than £30M a week for Good Causes and support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud. For details visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk